When planning to enclose a porch, add a room, or finish a basement or attic into livable space, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the finishes, design elements, and other bells and whistles. Yet one of the most important considerations should be the heating and cooling needs of the space. And there are a lot of options to consider!
Read on as we walk you through the different types of solutions so you can make the best decision for your needs, goals, and budget.
Complete System Replacement
A properly sized and designed HVAC system will supply your home with just the right amount of indoor comfort. If you add space that now needs to be heated and cooled, your existing system may not be able to keep up with the expanded footprint and increased demand. If your current system is approaching the end of its useful life, total system replacement may make the most sense.
HVAC System Add-On
If your home addition is large enough, it may warrant a second system, where one A/C and furnace takes care of an area, and another A/C and furnace services another. This can be an efficient solution because it doesn’t tax the systems and allows you to adjust temperature settings on both depending on what areas of the home you occupy at different times of the day.
Adding Ductwork
If you’re finishing a basement or renovating a small three-season porch, the addition of new – or modification of existing – ductwork may suffice. For example, the basement is already a part of your home and tends to lose less heat and cooling than other areas of the house, which means less demand for heating and cooling.
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (or PTACs)
PTACs, the units you find in most hotel rooms, can be an economical way to cool as well as heat a room. However, if you’ve ever stayed in a hotel room with one, you know its drawbacks – noisy, obtrusive, and offering limited control over the comfort level throughout the room.
Window Units and Space Heaters
Window units are cheap compared to other cooling solutions and can easily be installed. But instead of cooling the entire room, they only cool the air directly in front of them. And like PTACs, they’re also large and noisy – and surprisingly inefficient.
Space heaters are a great source of supplemental heat in milder weather but are not meant to serve as the primary source of heat during cold winter months.
Ductless Mini-Splits
For room additions, converted garages, four-season porches, attic and basement additions, or for any home where the design of the house makes installing ductwork challenging or cost-prohibitive, a ductless mini-split system just may be the best solution. They’re unobtrusive, whisper-quiet, energy efficient, and can be installed just about anywhere.
At Pann Home Services, our goal is to help make your home comfortable and enjoyable no matter the season. We’ll guide you through your options and help you select the one that makes the most sense for your needs and budget. Contact us today for an in-home consultation to discuss your heating, cooling, or remodeling needs.
