Heating and Cooling an Addition

When homeowners decide to expand their living space, the question of how to heat and cool the new space is an important consideration. Careful calculations need to be made to be sure that whatever system is chosen it can keep the new space comfortable throughout the year. A trained professional can help you determine what is needed to keep a new space comfortable. Special considerations may be needed for homes with unique architectural features such as cathedral ceilings, two story foyers, glass walls or the increasingly popular solariums. Load calculations will determine whether new equipment is needed or whether existing heating/cooling systems can handle the additional demand for the new space.

Homeowners who are adding space to their existing home have a wide range of options. On the heating side they can choose from forced air, heat pumps, steam or radiant heating. On the cooling side they have central air conditioning and the popular mini-split systems which allow for cooling in a particular area of the home which may be a good solution for an addition. When adding an addition to an older structure, many homeowners take the opportunity to add central air conditioning to the entire house. If this isn’t possible, mini-split units can be used to offer the additional cooling. Check out your available options here.

Increasingly, homeowners are looking for eco-friendly features, such as zoned heating systems and climate control technologies including smart thermostats. These can save money while increasing indoor comfort. Homeowners need to consider both the installation and the operating costs of the equipment to make the best choice. Although high efficiency equipment may cost more initially, the cost savings over time could provide enough savings to pay for the unit.

If you are considering an addition to your home, please email us or give us a call at 845-351-4700 so that we can have one of our heating and cooling experts provide you with information on expanding your home’s comfort along with its footprint.