Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest suite or expanding the kitchen, having extra square footage in your residence is sure to prove useful. Just remember to think over the heating and cooling requirements of the new space. One of those factors should incorporate whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Calgary. Our guidebook will help you as you take the first step in the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary
If the home addition involves enlarging a space as opposed to putting on completely new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the situation if your heating and cooling equipment was too large to begin with. Get a load calculation from an Expert technician, such as one from A1 Chesney Service Experts by calling 587-315-5271. This will determine if your current HVAC system can manage the upgrades you’ve made to your residence.
Option 2: Replace Your HVAC System
Another solution for delivering heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to lengthen the ductwork from your existing forced-air system. If you have radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new space.
You should know that, along with ductwork or water piping, you may also have to put in HVAC equipment to manage the bigger 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 might be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Instead of upgrading your existing unit to cover the added area, you can add a freestanding one. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for this. They consist of two parts. There’s a condensing unit that is placed on a slab outdoors, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the sleek indoor blower that is placed to the ceiling or wall.
Akin to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems provide both heating and cooling for year-round comfort from one solution.
Since it links with a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, no ductwork is required. You can even link up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in distinct areas in your house. A ductless mini-split could be the right HVAC system for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t take on the extra room, and you’re not ready to replace everything today.
- The old and additional rooms have differing heating and cooling needs.
- You would like to add air conditioning to your residence without putting in or extending the ductwork.
If you need help deciding which HVAC option is ideal, let A1 Chesney Service Experts give our advice. We have years of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC options.
We’ll get started by completing a load calculation to figure out your needs. Then, we can provide cost comparisons for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. installing a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll offer you all the options so you can make a smart decision. To begin, reach at 587-315-5271 to schedule an appointment today!