Believe it or not, here in the Midwest, winter is actually a great time to tackle those home remodel projects, especially the ones in interior rooms. Think about it: The cold weather keeps you from going outside and working on the exterior of your house or landscaping, and you don’t have to worry about the intense heat that often accompanies an Olathe summer. Plus, contractors are frequently more available during the winter months. While they may be extremely busy during spring and summer, you can sometimes even find off-season discounts from contractors in the wintertime.
Whether you’re hiring someone to work on a room in your house or tackling that bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom remodel yourself, as your Olathe heating and cooling professionals, we’re here to say that your HVAC system can actually be impacted—if not outright damaged—by certain types of home remodeling activities if you’re not careful. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed article covering how to help protect your HVAC system during some of the most popular home remodel projects.
Not already familiar with the term HVAC? Don’t worry! It’s pretty straightforward. It stands for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. It’s the catch-all system that provides all the heat and air-conditioning to the whole house, from the unit outside to the furnace in the basement, and all the ducts, air vents, and electrical components that connect them all and keep them working. Why do we bring this up? Many of those components are situated in your walls and floors, and they can be damaged if you’re not cautious during a home remodel.
First, let’s take a look at some of the most common home remodel projects:
- Bedroom remodel
- Bedroom conversion
- Room addition
- Kitchen remodel
- Bathroom remodel
- Basement remodel
What danger does your HVAC system face when you perform any one of these typical remodeling projects?
Dirt, Dust, Debris. Everywhere. This is the big one. Just about any home renovation project sends dust, sawdust, and sheet rock dust flying into the air and coating the floor and just about everything else, so it’s bound to find its way into the vents and ductwork. There are a few downsides to this. If you’re someone who suffers from any kind of seasonal or pet allergy, you’re probably also sensitive to particles that get into the air. But there’s more. Choking your HVAC system with dust and debris can cut down on its efficiency and even shorten its lifespan. How do you keep all that dust from going where it doesn’t belong? The first step is to shut off the HVAC system while you work. Next, cover up vents in the areas where you’ll be doing the actual work. Finally, be sure to change your furnace filter once the job is complete. You should routinely change your furnace filter once every month or two anyway.
Exceeding Your Load Capacity. Did you know? Whenever an HVAC pro such as Davenport Heating and Cooling in Olathe installs an air conditioner or furnace, they usually conduct a load capacity evaluation to be sure that the unit they’re installing is the right one for the job. This means that your air-conditioner or furnace is up to the task of heating and cooling your whole house efficiently. What does that have to do with your home remodel? If your renovation involves changing the size of your house—such as putting in a new room addition or increasing the square footage of an existing room—it may change the load capacity that your HVAC system needs in order to do its job effectively. What should you do? Check with your Olathe heating and cooling service professional. Let them know what renovations you have planned, and see if there’s a need to upgrade any of your HVAC system’s components before you start working.
Changing the Configuration. Another thing that you’ll want to discuss with an HVAC service professional before you start on a major renovation project—especially one that’s going to add a room or otherwise dramatically change the layout of your house—is the configuration of all your ducts and vents. You don’t want to build a room without proper airflow, and you don’t want to make changes that block off existing vents. Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to try to move or re-route vents or ductwork on your own. Call in the pros to handle that kind of work for you so that you know it’s being done the right way.
Upgrades May Need to Happen. If you’re remodeling an older home with a commensurately older HVAC system, there’s a real chance that you might want to consider upgrades to your heating and cooling system while you’re at it. Most air conditioners have an average life expectancy of around 10 to 15 years, while the lifespan of a furnace is closer to 15 or 20. But those are just averages, and if your HVAC system is older, it might be high time to get an upgrade. The best way to find out? Once again, talk to a professional. Your Olathe heating and cooling pros at Davenport Service Company are happy to take a look and give you our suggestions for whether it’s time to upgrade to a newer furnace or air conditioner or update any other part of your heating and cooling system. And if it is time, during a remodel might be just when you want to do it, since you’ll already be tearing out and rebuilding sections of the house anyway.
Whether you’re gearing up for a big home remodel project or just want to schedule a tune-up for your home HVAC system, Davenport Service Company is always happy to hear from you, and we’re here to answer any questions you might have. Regular maintenance and check-ups on your Olathe heating and cooling system are one of the best ways to keep everything in good working order, year in and year out. Give us a call today at 913-441-2222 and let us help you with your next project, whatever it might be.
