ADU stands for Accessory Dwelling Units and they are quickly gaining popularity in the San Fernando Valley as well as the greater Los Angeles area. Many people are building these spaces out of their garages or as a separate structure on their lot with the intention of renting them out for extra income. ADUs may be small in space but they are not a small undertaking to build. There are many important factors to consider when building an ADU. One especially important factor is how to approach heating and cooling for the space. It is a law that every ADU has heating and in California summers are almost unbearable so air conditioning is also a must. The question is, what is the most cost efficient and effective method of cooling and heating your ADU? Below we discuss ADU HVAC options to consider when building an ADU.
Wall Heater and A/C
Wall heaters and air conditioners are the most affordable option. They are little hassle to install and maintain. The drawback for both is that they have a limited amount of space they are capable of conditioning. As a result, if they are cooling or heating a space that is too big the temperature may never reach the desired temperature target and you may find that you must run it constantly, possibly leading to early replacement.
Ductless Mini Split
Ductless Mini-Splits are the most popular choice for ADUs. They can service larger spaces than wall heaters and air conditioners. They do not require a duct system, which is great for garage conversions or when space for ducting is limited. They have both the heating and cooling elements in one system which saves you from having two separate systems maintained and installed. Mini splits are also more energy efficient to run year-round than a centralized cooling and heating system. Overall, they are the most favorable choice for most ADUs. The only negative factor being that if the ADU has multiple separate spaces (zones) the mini split will not be able to serve them all without adding more zones which can become costly.
Central A/C and Heat
Installing a central split system is definitely not the best choice for some ADU projects. For garage conversions you must either extend the pre-existing ducting from the home into the garage or install new ducting and a new system to utilize a central system. Both options are energy inefficient and will cost a ton of unnecessary money. However, if you are doing a complete build of a new structure with larger square footage and multiple zones a central system is probably the best option. Though a mini-split system is more energy efficient and less invasive to install, the upfront cost of installing a multi-zone ductless system is almost as expensive as a central system. Most importantly, a central system ensures that airflow is reaching all of the spaces.
Give Us A Call Today
Choosing the right HVAC solution for your ADU is a big decision and can cost or save you a ton of money yearly depending on what you choose. Though researching is an important part of the decision process it is also best to get the advice of a professional. Call LA Construction, Heating and Air today for a free consultation and let us help you make the smartest choice for your ADU! You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (818)341-3406 or contact us online we are here to help!
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