When planning an addition, there are numerous T’s to cross and I’s to dot. There’s also HVAC to contend with, as in, how you plan to heat and cool the new sunroom, converted attic, master bedroom suite, and so on.
You have three basic options on how to move forward. Let’s have a look.
Use your existing heating & cooling systems
Here’s a good news/bad news scenario. If your existing heating and cooling systems can handle another room, that means they’re oversized and undergoing more wear and tear than necessary. That’s the bad news, because you’re paying too much for the kind of comfort you expect. As for the good news, adding one more room should improve heating and cooling system efficiency. That saves you money in two ways: lower utility costs and fewer repairs, whether now or down the road. A word of caution – you can extend your HVAC systems only if the new room can support ductwork.
Add new and separate heating & cooling systems
You could always add one additional furnace/boiler and central AC system, but we don’t advise it. Not only is this the most expensive option, you’ll now have two more systems to maintain.
Go for Ductless
Perhaps the best available solution is to heat and cool your new room with a ductless air system. There are several reasons to at least consider that option, including:
- Won’t add stress to your existing HVAC systems
- One system will provide all the warm and cool air you’ll need
- No ductwork is needed
- Ductless air systems are up to 30% more energy efficient
- You can turn them off when the room is unoccupied to save even more. If, however, the room has plumbing pipes, don’t set the thermostat below 58 degrees in the winter.
What’s the best option for your home? Call Optimum Air today for a free in-home consultation and new system proposal. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and help you choose the solution that suits you best.
