Create a two-storey in addition requires a heating and cooling system to make a comfortable and usable living space. The obvious option may be your existing system, depending on their capacity to expand. However, it is potentially more economical your entire system update or install a stand-alone system specifically designed to serve only the new rooms.


Substantial investment in building a two-storey in addition the ideal time to consider upgrading your HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning) for the entire House. Although in theory to heat more numbers and cool your Advanced House, a new energy efficient HVAC system actually reduce your monthly energy costs by 20% or about $200 per year.


In addition, the IRS allows a tax credit of up to $300 on eligible HVAC systems during 2011 in operation taken. Here is a guide to your options and how to ensure that you get the best value for your investment.


Start with energy efficiency


Before planning construction, is a good first step to evaluate your heating and cooling with a professional energy audit of your home. A full diagnostic test runs $400 to $600 (although some municipalities offered them free of charge).


A comprehensive energy audit carried out by a home energy rater, certified by the residential energy services network is the thermal and energy performance of your home based on a variety of performance factors which determine. You will receive a comprehensive report with estimates of energy savings that can be achieved through various improvements.


These enhancements can include: Add or update isolation levels (especially in the attic and around pipes); Replacement Windows and glass doors with higher performance (insulated, low-E coated) units; and sealing of sleeves and cables against air leakage and thermal.


As a result of the trial with your HVAC contractor, it allows him to offer a number of reliable suggestions for your heating and cooling needs. Your most likely options include:


Extension of the existing system


If your existing furnace-A/C-Setup or heat pump is less than 10 years old and has enough capacity to heat and the latest addition to the same level of comfort you now enjoy cooling, you need to extend only the tube into the new space – a work, which costs $300 to $1,000.


Consider a separate zone with its own thermostat, provided that this room in addition (about $300), controls the a damper within the air ducts, air conditioned air to deliver, only when needed. Zones are particularly effective and energy efficient for occasional use areas, as a guest suite or laundry service, but power for daily use can also save. Costs about $300 for thermostatically controlled valves.


To get the most out of your HVAC system, your must all duct work – existing and new – sealed and insulated to reduce the energy loss and increase the efficiency of the whole system. Costs about $500 for the work.


Updating the system


Depending on the size of your current HVAC system you need to increase the capacity of the existing system to handle the increased demand of a two-story addition.


A 24 x 16-foot storey addition adds approximately 35% more volume to your home, and you need to increase your heating and cooling performance by about the same percentage.


Furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps, which in the service for a decade or longer have 20% less energy-efficient than today’s models however are, according to the Energy Star program of the Federal Government.


Which means, you may have to heat and cool the entire House, including your addition with a smaller, more efficient system – in particular, if you install energy efficiency repairs and upgrades of your energy audit recommended. You need to buy not just greater capacity HVAC units.


However, you will pay a higher price for a more efficient system. Same size stove with an efficiency of 95% costs maybe 75% more ($ 5.100 vs. $2.900) as an equal size rated oven at 80% efficiency. However the higher efficiency unit should provide a savings of about $200 a year on your utility bills and require less maintenance.


A really big whole-House system upgrade for 2,250 m² House (plus an additional 750 sqm) costs $9,000 to $13,000, including work. That you will use your existing lines cost includes distribute Konditionierte air through the House and in the supplement.


Install a stand-alone system


Even a larger and more efficient HVAC Setup loses its ability to heat and cool an addition, if the new space of the House from the main branch of the existing system of duct is.


In this case, an independent system, establish a connection with your existing system, not the most cost effective solution can be. Placed next to the addition of a special HVAC system will lose less heat and gain overall efficiency due to the simple fact that the channels are shorter.


One independent oven A/c or heat pump should its size according to the size of the addition what installed equipment with a lower capacity costs, about half, or less than a whole House upgrade.


Traditional forced-air systems are not your only option. Consider the following specific HVAC setups as well as of those qualify most for federal energy tax credits.

Ductless systems, also known as “Mini Splits,” are slim, wall units, the hot or cold air into a room without blow wooden pipes. The inside unit for connection to a small refrigeration unit or heat pump outside and can serve a 400 square feet of living space. They cost about $1,200 euros. Installation adds $400 to $800 high speed or “Mini Duct” systems were originally designed for retrofitting older homes. Use 2-inch-diameter flexible supply tubes that are easily by stud walls threaded and connect HVAC units outside of the House. Conditioned air enters through ports that look like recessed lights. Costs a premium of 50% of the price of a conventional HVAC system. Hydronic systems use heated and cooled water conditioned space. These systems are embedded in the ground for the heating and the ceiling for cooling. Convenient electric radiant heat systems are slightly below floor, installed, although you still need to provide a method of cooling of the space. The cost of these systems range from $5 to $15 per square foot, installed.