Improving one’s standard of living is a natural inclination. Seldom are we happy with what we already have? To make things bigger and better is the obvious next step in achieving gratification. Mostly this happens in the form of purchasing a bigger and better car or home additions. Having a grand house will not only make you feel good but will also increase the market value of the property. When you upgrade your home, you are changing its layout. At such a time, wondering whether your current HVAC system will support the change or you will have to install a new HVAC system is a confusing prospect.
Is It Necessary To Install A New HVAC System With Home Renovation?
Having to buy a new HVAC system and installing it is no easy feat. However, there are many ways to circumvent this expense.
1. Enlarging An Area Without New Construction – Sometimes, the home improvement occurs in the form of area expansion without expanding the floor area. It means that there is no actual new construction. You break down a wall or two and make the room or rooms bigger in size. Herein, the square footage of the house remains the same. So, even with the upgrade, the HVAC system still has to heat or cool the same amount of space. In these cases, there is no need to install a new HVAC system. Your old one will still do the job wonderfully.
2. Expanding The Ductwork – Some homes have a big enough heating and cooling system to accommodate even the newly constructed space. To validate the fact, you can always ask an HVAC technician for sizing help. If your system is big enough, all you need to do is expand the ductwork to the new space. Hot water piping will need lengthening if you use baseboard heating or radiators.
3. Purchasing Mini-Split Ductless System For The New Addition – If your current HVAC system is not sufficient to support the heating and cooling of the new space added, you needn’t jump to buying a new HVAC system. You can still get away with your old one and make alternative arrangements in the form of a mini-split system or a ductless system for the expanded area. Using a standalone system will make the new room or rooms comfortable and keep the additional expense in check. A ductless mini-split system does not even require installing new ductwork, so there are minimal installation charges associated with it. It is a sensible investment when your old HVAC unit is not enough, and you are not in a position to buy a new HVAC system as yet.
When To Install A New HVAC System For A Home Addition
Above, we learned how to skirt buying a new HVAC system when making an addition to your home. Yet, there are times when there is no way around this tough decision, and you have to invest in an entirely new unit.
1. When Your Existing Unit Breaks Down Frequently – If your existing HVAC unit breakdowns frequently, adding more strain on it is not a good idea. It will just lead to more costly repairs every time. After some time, it may even refuse to work. Before that day comes, it would be best to plan your finances such that you can even afford a new HVAC system. A timely investment will help keep your entire home comfortable all round the year without any unwarranted interruptions.
2. If Your Current Unit Is More Than 10 Years Old – If your current HVAC unit is 10 to 12 years old, buying a new one is inevitable. In fact, it is just a matter of time. As the heating and cooling system ages, its efficiency drops. With the drop in efficiency, year after year, the unit starts presenting bigger and bigger utility bills. The maintenance and upkeep of old units are also costly. Additionally, changing rules concerning the refrigerant used in air conditioners and the minimum SEER rating will force you to make the purchase soon enough. So, you might as well upgrade your home and HVAC simultaneously with sensible financial planning.
3. If You Have The Financial Capability To Buy A New Unit – Your old HVAC system is considered undersized with the addition you have made to the home. One straightforward option, at this time, is to upgrade the HVAC system as well. Some people have the financial capability to handle two big expenses, that of new construction and a new HVAC system, at the same time. They should exercise this option straight away. Others can take some time to space out the two expenses and use the in-between period to look into financing options to reduce their financial burden.
The Verdict
It is not necessary to install a new HVAC system for a home addition, especially if your current one is still good for years to come. You can simply buy a new ductless mini-split system for your brand new space and keep everything else intact. Nevertheless, though the modern HVAC systems are quite robust, yet their components start failing after 10 years due to wear and tear. So if your existing HVAC system is 10-12 years old and already giving you trouble, installing a new one is the wisest choice. In the long run, the additional expense will save you and your family from unnecessary discomfort.
Aztil Air Conditioning is proud of being one of the best HVAC contractors in West Palm Beach, Florida. If you need any help in figuring out your options with the home addition, feel free to get in touch with us at +1-888-729-8452. Our air experts will wow you with their knowledge and experience. We don’t take your queries lightly. They are a way for us to prove our worth to you. We also take care of HVAC installations, repairs, and maintenance. When you make us your HVAC partner, we promise a lifelong relationship where your comfort will always be of paramount importance.
