Remodeling Your Home? 3 Reasons to Upgrade Your HVAC At the Same Time

A home remodel can be fun and interesting, especially if you add upgrades such as quartz counters, intricate crown molding, and high-end technology. However, you should also consider updating your HVAC system before you finish the project.

Here are three reasons to get an estimate for a new air conditioner and furnace alongside your other home improvement bids.

1. The System May Be Improperly Sized Now

When you add an extra teen room or a space for grandma, you create a great way to bring more beloved family members into your home. But additional space could also place a new burden on your air conditioning system. Since HVAC systems are sized and installed based on the square footage and location of the home, home improvements like additions could mean your old air conditioner won't be able to keep up.

For instance, if you live in a Zone 3 climate like the central Texas, your 1,200 square foot home will need about 3 tons of cooling power to manage the heat inside of your home. However, if you renovate your space to add a large family room and your square footage increases to 1,800 square feet, you will need at least a -ton system to manage the load.

Likewise, if you transition a space from a heated and cooled area to an outdoor space, your air conditioner could then be too large for your space. Although it may seem like a benefit to have an oversized unit, when you use a larger AC unit than you need, your system can strain since the number of times the unit cycles off increases.

To stay on the safe side, ask an HVAC professional to come size your home for an air conditioner after your renovations are complete.

2. The Use of Space Impacts HVAC

When you alter the way you use your spaces, you can also cause a dramatic impact on the heating load of your home, since things like heat-generating appliances and new windows can change the temperature of a room.

For instance, if you add more west-facing windows to a large room, the incoming light can increase unwanted heat gain, and your air conditioner could struggle to keep up. Likewise, if you close off windows or add shaded valances during your renovation, you could curb incoming heat gain, and your home would stay cooler.

If you add another kitchen or a kitchenette with heat-generating appliances like an oven or a dishwasher, you should add 4,000 BTUs to the amount of cooling power your air conditioner needs to function.

As you start your remodel, think about how you want to change the space, and how you will use each room. Talk about how different spaces will function, and don't be afraid to share your plans with your contracting team.

3. The HVAC Upgrade Can Be Included In Your Bigger Project

Nobody likes the idea of tearing their home apart more than once, so implement your HVAC upgrades while you already have other builds underway. While HVAC improvements may draw out the overall timeline, when you complete multiple projects at once, you reduce the strain on your family, especially if you stay elsewhere during the renovation.

If you complete multiple upgrades at once, you can roll your HVAC improvements into the total project cost to help yourself financially. Additionally, moving forward, you will remember when you changed out your HVAC system, which will help you plan for things like maintenance service calls and future replacements.

A functional, beautiful home starts with using the right contractors, so reach out to Henry's Service All . In addition to helping homeowners tackle a long list of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical issues, we also offer free estimates and convenient financing.