Whether you’re putting on a second family room, a guest space or expanding the kitchen, having additional square footage in your home is sure to be handy. Just don’t forget to consider the heating and cooling needs of the new area. One of those considerations should cover whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Kansas City. Our instructions will help you as you take the first step in the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition calls for growing a room as opposed to building entirely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is usually the situation if your heating and cooling system was too big originally. Schedule a load calculation from a professional technician, like one from Neal Harris Service Experts by calling 816-787-0500. This will determine if your present HVAC system can handle the modifications you’ve made to your house.
Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System
Another idea for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your present forced-air equipment. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can lengthen hot water piping to the new area.
Be aware that, along with ductwork or water piping, you may also have to install HVAC equipment to take care of the bigger load. The following increase in electricity usage could even need an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this may be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
In place of upgrading your existing system to cover the extra area, you can add a freestanding one. Ductless mini-splits are great for this. They have two parts. There’s a condensing component that is installed on the ground near your home, akin to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that is installed against the ceiling or wall.
Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for constant comfort from a sole solution.
Since it includes a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, zero ductwork is required. You can even join up to four indoor blowers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing parts of your home. A ductless mini-split might be the right HVAC solution for your home addition if:
- Your current system can’t absorb the additional space, and you’re not ready to replace every part right away.
- The old and new spaces have different heating and cooling needs.
- You would like to add air conditioning to your home without getting or lengthening the ductwork.
If you need help determining which HVAC option is ideal, let Neal Harris Service Experts give our suggestions. We have years of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions.
Let us start by conducting a load calculation to figure out your needs. Then, we can provide cost listings for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. installing a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll present you with all the possibilities so you can make a smart decision. To start, call at 816-787-0500 to schedule an appointment today!