Does a Home Addition Mean I Need to Upgrade My HVAC System?

Whether you’re adding a second family room, a guest area or expanding the kitchen, having extra square footage in your house is sure to be convenient. Just don’t forget to think about the heating and cooling necessities of the new room. One of those factors should cover whether you should upgrade your HVAC system for a home addition in Voorhees. Our instructions will help you as you take the first step in the process.

Option 1: No Upgrade Necessary

If the home addition involves growing a room instead of putting on totally new rooms, you may not need to upgrade the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the instance if your heating and cooling units were too large to begin with. Book a load calculation from a pro technician, such as one from Atmostemp Service Experts by calling 856-310-4824. This will decide if your current HVAC equipment can manage the upgrades you’ve made to your residence.

Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System

Another option for bringing heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to extend the ductwork from your current forced-air unit. If you rely on 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 install HVAC equipment to take care of the higher load. The subsequent increase in electricity use might even need an electrical panel upgrade. If your heating and cooling system is due for a replacement soon, this may be perfectly acceptable.

Option 3: Add a Ductless Mini-Split

Rather than getting a new system to manage the additional square footage, you can install a stand-alone one. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for this. They use two parts. There’s a condensing unit that is installed on a slab outdoors, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the small indoor blower that is installed to the ceiling or wall.

Similar to a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems deliver both heating and cooling for year-round comfort from a single solution.

Since there’s a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, you don’t need ductwork. You can even link up to four indoor blowers with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in differing areas in your residence. A ductless mini-split might be the right HVAC solution for your home addition if:

  • Your current system can’t absorb the additional square footage, and you’re not able to replace every part right away.
  • The old and expanded spaces have different heating and cooling needs.
  • You want to add air conditioning to your home without putting in or adding on to the ductwork.

If you need help determining which HVAC option is right for you, let Atmostemp Service Experts give our recommendations. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners fine-tune their indoor comfort, with a dedication to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC systems.

We’ll start the process by conducting a load calculation to learn your needs. Then, we can give cost listings for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. getting a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll present you with all the options so you can make an informed decision. To start, reach at 856-310-4824 to schedule an appointment right away!

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