5 HVAC Things to Consider When Remodeling

A lot of preparation goes into a home remodeling project. As you prepare to make springtime household renovations to your Roseville, North Carolina, home, make sure you are protecting your HVAC system while also maximizing its overall efficiency.

Protect Your HVAC Unit

Before you begin demolishing, or rebuilding, it is a good idea to protect your HVAC unit. Because the HVAC unit is one of the most expensive appliances in your home, it can also be costly to repair. If possible, you might consider turning off your unit during major renovations. If its too warm to turn it off, take steps to protect it from any incidental damage.

It’s always a good idea to close off the vents in rooms where construction work is taking place. You can also hang heavy plastic to curtain off a section of your home from circulating drywall dust. Ask contractors to avoid leaving heavy dust or other debris in place when they leave at the end of the day. These pollutants can make their way into your unit and eventually, into your home’s air. Once the project is complete, ensure that the entire worksite is fully cleaned before you allow your AC system to circulate throughout the whole house.

Schedule a Service Appointment

While it is important to maintain a clean unit during renovations, it is also a good idea to schedule a service appointment after the renovation is complete. Your HVAC technician can inspect the different parts of the unit while also ensuring that the inner parts of the unit are clean.

You might also consider having your air ducts inspected after a renovation. Debris from home renovations can easily make their way into the air ducts and pollute your home’s air. Depending on the size of the job, it might be a good idea to schedule a professional home air duct cleaning.

Change Your Air Filter

Routinely changing your home’s air filter is an important task, regardless of whether you are renovating or not. Generally, experts recommend changing your air filter every 90 days. However, it is also a good idea to change your air filter during and after completing a renovation project. By changing out your air filter, you are removing the dust and debris that built up in the filter during the project.

Make Efficiency Changes

It often makes sense to complete additional projects when you are already doing work to the house. If contractors are already tearing out walls or rebuilding rooms, then this might be the perfect time to make efficiency upgrades to your household. This might include going ductless. Ductless air units are becoming a popular household choice because they are more efficient, cost-effective, and can fit into smaller spaces.

Even if your home is already set up for ductwork, you can transition to a ductless unit. This can allow you to make additional renovations to better meet your home design needs. If your renovation project includes changes to the outdoors, then this might be a good time to install a geothermal heat pump. Geothermal heat pumps can also improve your unit’s efficiency by heating and cooling your home through renewable energy sources that are located in the ground, directly below your home.

Upgrade Your Unit

You might decide during this time to upgrade your HVAC unit. Newer units are more efficient and can give you a more consistently comfortable temperature while saving you money. If your household project already involves demolition, then it might make sense to also remove your current HVAC unit at the same time.

Also, if your renovation project includes the addition of a new room or turning basement space into a living space, you may need an upgraded HVAC unit to meet your new heating and cooling needs. Additionally, you can start fresh and new by installing the new unit after the work is completed, thus reducing any chance of poor air quality from the renovation.

Spring is a popular time to complete home renovation projects. Make sure you are protecting your unit and considering which upgrades will accommodate your new renovations. Call us today at Alford Mechanical at 919-246-5265 to discuss additional ways in which you can protect your HVAC unit during household renovations.

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