In many cases, it’s best to go with an HVAC upgrade when constructing a two-story addition. Work with your HVAC professional and home builder early in the process to assess the needs of the addition and your existing HVAC system, and then make the best decision for your comfort needs and to suit your budget. Here are some of the primary options available:
- Using existing system – It may be possible to extend your existing heating and cooling system to service the new space, if it has the capacity to do so. However, if your existing equipment is 10 years or older, you may want to replace it with new equipment, and proceed with one of the options below. If you do extend heating and cooling into the new space, make sure to factor in the costs to extend the ductwork, an often costly endeavor.
- Upgrading to a new HVAC system – This option is particularly advantageous if your existing HVAC system isn’t very efficient. Installing one new, central, split HVAC upgrade to service the existing home and the new addition involves sizing the equipment so that it will meet the heating and cooling load of the home’s total square footage. However, choosing this options means you’ll still have to extend ductwork.
- Installing a ductless mini-split – Installing a separate system to service just the new space is possible, and you can avoid the costs associated with ductwork retrofits by choosing a ductless mini-split system. With this system, you can install up to four air handlers to serve individual rooms or zones, connected via a conduit to the outdoor condensing unit, which can be located up to 50 feet away from the air handlers. The perks of using mini-splits include zoned control over heating and cooling, as well as energy savings, both because you can turn off the heating or cooling in individual rooms when it’s not needed, and you’ll see now energy loss through duct leaks or conduction.
Give your two-story addition, and your home, the best heating and cooling solution possible. Work with the experts at Ernst Heating & Cooling to discover the best solution for your home heating and cooling needs. We’ve served homeowners throughout the Metro-East area since 1951.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Hamel, Illinois and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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