I'm in the process of buying a house that has an HVAC system with a heat pump for the main 1400 sq ft but relies on baseboard heaters and lacks central A/C in a 440 sq ft addition. This house is an Atomic Ranch style built in 1955, sitting on a slab with no attic. The original ductwork for the HVAC is under the floor, but I'm uncertain about access in the addition. I'm wondering if switching to a full HVAC system is a smart move, and what range I might be looking at cost-wise. If it's not ideal, what other effective options do I have, both cost-effective and energy-efficient? Right now, the air circulation is decent, and the addition stays cool thanks to the existing A/C, but given the cold winters in Ohio, heating is also a concern. I'd love to hear any insights!
2 Answers
Honestly, if the addition is staying cool in the summer and the baseboards are keeping you warm in the winter, maybe hold off on a big HVAC overhaul for now. I’d suggest waiting until after a winter season to see how it performs before making any big financial commitments. Plus, you can always use portable space heaters if it gets really cold. If you do decide to install A/C or heating in those spaces later on, have a look at mini-split systems; they might be a better fit than trying to connect to the existing ducts.
I feel you on the slab situation; I've got ductwork issues myself. In-slab ductwork can be tricky—it can rust and cause problems down the line. It sounds like you’re also considering radiant floor heating and ductless mini-splits, which could be perfect since you're reno-ing the whole place. I'd recommend reaching out to a few HVAC companies for different product options, so you can weigh the pros and cons.
Great point! I didn’t think about radiant heating before! It’s definitely something to add to my list of considerations.
Haha, respect for your Minnesotan winters! But yeah, I think checking how everything holds up this winter is a smart move. I'll definitely explore the mini-split option as well!