Should You Install a New HVAC System for a Home Addition? 

Whether you’re putting on a second family room, a guest space or enlarging the kitchen, having additional square footage in your home is sure to prove useful. Just remember to consider the heating and cooling needs of the new space. One of those considerations should cover whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in the U.S.. Our guide will help you as you take the first step in the process. 

Option 1: No Upgrade Required 

If the home addition involves enlarging a room as opposed to putting on completely new rooms, you may not need to enhance the HVAC system at all. This is usually the situation if your heating and cooling equipment was too large when they were installed. Get a load calculation from a pro technician, like one from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing by calling 866-397-3787. This will determine if your present HVAC system can manage the changes you’ve made to your house. 

Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System 

Another option for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to add on to the ductwork from your existing forced-air unit. If you use radiators or baseboard heating, you can add hot water piping to the new area. 

Bear in mind that, along with ductwork or water piping, you may also have to put in HVAC equipment to handle the increased load. The subsequent increase in electricity use might even require an enhanced electrical panel. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this may be a good option. 

Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split 

Instead of installing a new system to cover the extra square footage, you can add an independent one.  Ductless mini-splits are ideal for this. They consist of two parts. There’s a condensing component that sits on a slab near your home, much like an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that is placed to the ceiling or wall. 

Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for constant comfort from one piece of equipment. 

Since it has a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, you don’t need ductwork. You can even join up to four indoor air handlers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing areas in your house. A ductless mini-split might be the best HVAC option for your home addition if: 

• Your existing system can’t absorb the additional area, and you’re not prepared to replace every part right now. 
• The old and additional rooms have varying heating and cooling needs. 
• You would like to add air conditioning to your home without getting or adding on to the ductwork. 

If you need help deciding which HVAC option is right for you, let Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offer our suggestions. We have years of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a dedication to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC solutions. 

We’ll start the process by performing a load calculation to determine your needs. Then, we can give cost listings for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll give you all the solutions so you can make an informed decision. To begin, contact us at 866-397-3787 to schedule an appointment now!