Whether you’re building a second family room, a guest space or enlarging the kitchen, having more square footage in your residence is sure to be handy. Just keep in mind you need to think about 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 Hilton Head Island. Our guidebook will help you as you begin the process.
Option 1: No Upgrade Required
If the home addition involves enlarging an area rather than putting on totally new rooms, you may not need to enhance the HVAC system at all. This is most likely the situation if your heating and cooling system was too big when they were installed. Schedule a load calculation from an Expert technician, such as one from Epperson Service Experts by calling 843-619-3781. This will decide if your present HVAC setup can manage the changes you’ve made to your house.
Option 2: Upgrade Your HVAC System
Another option for delivering heat and air conditioning into your home addition is to lengthen the ductwork from your existing forced-air equipment. If you have radiators or baseboard heating, you can extend hot water piping to the new space.
Bear in mind that, adding ductwork or water piping, you could also have to add HVAC equipment to manage the increased load. The ensuing increase in electricity consumption could even require an electrical panel upgrade. If your heating and cooling system requires a replacement soon, this could be a good option.
Option 3: Install a Ductless Mini-Split
Rather than installing a new system to cover the added square footage, you can add an independent one. Ductless mini-splits are perfect for this. They consist of two parts. There’s a condensing system that is placed on a slab outside, similar to an air conditioner. Then there’s the space-saving indoor blower that is installed against the ceiling or wall.
Like a central heat pump, mini-split HVAC systems offer both heating and cooling for all-season comfort from a sole solution.
Since there’s a wall- or ceiling-mounted air handler, zero ductwork is required. You can even add up to four indoor units with one outdoor unit for zoned heating and cooling in different spaces in your house. A ductless mini-split might be the right HVAC solution for your home addition if:
- Your existing system can’t take on the added space, and you’re not prepared to replace everything today.
- The old and expanded additions have differing heating and cooling needs.
- You want to add air conditioning to your house without getting or extending the ductwork.
If you need help determining which HVAC option is right for you, let Epperson Service Experts offer our suggestions. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners dial in their indoor comfort, with a commitment to efficiency and eco-friendly HVAC systems.
We’ll start the process by performing a load calculation to learn your needs. Then, we can provide cost comparisons for ductwork installation and system upgrades vs. putting in a ductless mini-split HVAC system. We’ll present you with all the possibilities so you can make a smart decision. To begin, reach at 843-619-3781 to schedule an appointment now!