There are too many reasons why you would want to add a new room or finish an unfinished space to mention here. Besides, that’s not really the point.
But here’s what is: whatever your reason might be, that room needs to be heated and cooled and you have more than one path forward.
Before you embark on such a project, check with a real estate agent on how the addition will impact your home’s resale value, even if you’re not planning to sell any time soon. Taking that precaution could affect which of the following heating and cooling options you choose:
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. As for the good news, adding one more room to their load should at least improve their energy efficiency. That saves you money not just on the installation, but on system wear and tear and your energy costs. Just remember: 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, now you’ll have two more systems to maintain.
Go the Ductless Air Route
Perhaps the best solution of all is to heat and cool your new room with a ductless air system. There are several reasons to at least consider that option, including:
- Doesn’t add stress to your existing system
- One system provides all the warm and cool air you’ll need
- No ductwork is needed
- Ductless air systems are up to 30% more energy efficient than separate HVAC systems
- You can turn them off when you’re not using that room or, if the room has plumbing, reduce or increase the temperature – depending on the season – reduce energy consumption
Which method is right for you? At Pann Home Services, we’re here to help you decide. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation and new HVAC installation proposal. We’ll help ensure you make the right decision for your home and budget.