Putting an addition onto your home can be pretty exciting. Whether adding an in-law apartment for family members, welcoming a new baby, or creating more space for hobbies and entertainment, a full addition can completely transform any house. However, increasing your home's square footage can also strain your HVAC system.
If you're adding several hundred square feet or more, you must consider how that extra space will affect your current air conditioning system. The good news is that you have a few options to address this issue, and this guide will help you decide which choice is best for your situation.
How Does An Addition Impact Your AC System?
Air conditioners require careful sizing to achieve the best possible efficiency and performance. An undersized air conditioner will struggle to maintain your thermostat's setpoint, running in excessively long cycles and wasting energy. These long cycles will also stress your system's components, leading to unnecessary repair bills and even premature system failures.
Unfortunately, oversized systems can also cause problems. A system that's too large for your home will run in short cycles that won't effectively remove humidity. Constantly cycling on and off can lead to similar wear, making these systems also prone to early failure. As a result, a typical residential air conditioning system doesn't have much "overhead" to cool an additional space.
When you put an addition onto your home, you're increasing the total square footage and heat loading on your air conditioner. A correctly-sized system will work less efficiently, cost more to run, and potentially have higher maintenance costs. If your system is relatively new and in good condition, you may inadvertently shorten its lifespan.
Is Adding Another Air Conditioner the Best Option?
If you want to cool your new addition without causing damage to your existing system, you will generally have three options:
- Replace your current unit with a higher-capacity model
- Install a mini-split
- Rely on window or through-the-wall units
Installing a higher-capacity unit may make sense if your current air conditioner is relatively old and requires replacement. This approach allows you to cool your home with one system without falling back on an air conditioner that's too small for the job. However, this approach can be expensive and doesn't make sense if your current system is still relatively new.
Window or through-the-wall units can provide good cooling but are inefficient and can be eyesores. On the other hand, a mini-split system can provide many benefits of a central air conditioning system without requiring you to install ductwork in your new addition. A mini-split can be a good solution if you're looking for a way to save money without relying on window units.
Contact a local HVAC service to learn more about AC installation.