Remodeling Or Adding On To Your Home? Don’t Forget To Call Your HVAC Professional
Transforming your home with a renovation is an excellent way to create a living space that perfectly matches your needs. This exciting project allows you to bring your vision for your ideal home to life.
Getting started with your home remodel is undoubtedly exciting. However, it’s essential to consider the practicalities of the project. Your home’s HVAC system is a vital consideration throughout the remodel. Here, we’ll explain why it’s so important.
Planning Your Project
The initial planning stages of your project are a crucial time. For your remodel to be a success, you need to ensure that every aspect of the design is carefully considered. Getting your planning right at this stage can save you time and money as your renovation progresses.
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature is essential. But your home’s heating and cooling needs may change once your renovation is complete. If you’re remodeling the existing space or adding on, it’s wise to incorporate your HVAC needs into your design plans.
Evaluating Existing HVAC Systems
During the planning stage of your renovation, it’s vital to evaluate your existing HVAC systems. You need to understand the capacity of your current HVAC and figure out if it can handle your new space. This is especially important if you’re increasing the square footage of your living space.
If you’re increasing the size of your home, it’s essential to ensure the capacity of your HVAC will be suitable for your newly remodeled home. Having an HVAC that’s too small for your home means it’s got to work a lot harder to keep a comfortable temperature. This means that it’ll use a lot more energy to heat and cool your home, meaning more expense for you and more wear and tear on your HVAC system. So, if you’re home is going to be bigger, upgrading to a larger capacity HVAC is advisable.
HVAC Design Considerations for Remodels
Your remodel is the ideal opportunity to install an HVAC system that’s perfectly designed to your home’s needs. In the long term this can save you money on energy use and keep your home more comfortable.
When you’re changing your home’s configuration or size, HVAC zoning can be really useful. Many homes have rooms with hot or cold spots. This can make these rooms uncomfortable to use. Zoning helps keep rooms comfortable by evening out the temperature.
Combine zoning with the correct capacity HVAC for your home, and it will be easier to keep your home at a comfortable temperature without using excessive energy.
Addressing Ductwork and Ventilation Needs
The importance of ductwork is often overlooked. However, it plays an essential role in the efficiency and performance of your HVAC.
When you’re remodeling your home, it’s often advisable to adjust the configuration of your ductwork to meet the demands of your renovated home.
If you’re remodeling the kitchen or bathroom in your home, its ventilation needs will change. Kitchens and bathrooms require indoor air pollution and moisture to be removed at source. This means you need to incorporate spot ventilation, such as exhaust fans, into your remodel design.
Incorporating Energy-Efficient Solutions
Zoning can help to make your HVAC more energy-efficient. But there are further changes you can make. These include programmable thermostats so that you can choose which rooms to heat or cool, and smart controls. Smart HVAC controls can use sensors and occupancy detectors to adapt the HVAC’s operation in real-time.
Compliance With Building Codes and Regulations
Ensuring your renovated property complies with building codes and regulations is a must. As part of this, your home’s HVAC system must also meet these codes and regulations.
If you’re having your HVAC repaired, replaced, or converted as part of your home renovation, you will require a mechanical building permit (MECHR). To ensure compliance, it’s always best to get an HVAC professional to carry out the work and get the correct permit.
Working With HVAC Professionals
There’s no doubt that remodel projects can be stressful. Working with an HVAC professional right from the planning stage of your renovation is advisable. This will ensure that all HVAC work is carried out correctly and matches the needs of your renovated home.
Using their knowledge and experience, an HVAC professional can help with everything from obtaining permits to improving energy efficiency.
Budgeting for HVAC Costs
There are a few factors that can influence HVAC costs during your remodel. Assessing your current HVAC system and understanding the changes that need to be made from the start of your project is essential. You’ll then be able to incorporate these costs into your overall remodel budget.
Factors that increase the cost of your HVAC include whether you can re-use your existing ductwork, the brand and size of the HVAC system you choose, and how complicated the installation will be.
Contact the HVAC Professionals at Briggs Today
Involving HVAC professionals in your remodel project is vital. Your HVAC professional will ensure that your new HVAC system is suited to your newly remodeled home, works efficiently to keep your home comfortable, and complies with the necessary regulations.
If you’re looking for an HVAC professional, we have the knowledge and expertise you need. Contact Briggs HVAC today, and we’ll be happy to help.
