If you have a sunroom, you probably enjoy the fact that you are both indoors and outdoors. In Buffalo, NY, sunrooms are a great addition to any home as they give an escape from the cold outdoors in the winter and the bugs in the summer. In Buffalo, we are all too familiar with the extreme temperatures we experience throughout the year, and without the proper heating and cooling, your sunroom may be unusable for nearly half the year. We are going to review how you can best heat or cool your sunroom to make it a room that you can enjoy year-round.
Central Heating and Air Conditioning
When it comes to how you can best heat or cool your sunroom, the top option is having central heating and air conditioning for the room. If your home currently uses ductwork for heating and cooling, then extending your ductwork to your sunroom is a good option. By extending your ductwork to your sunroom, you can have your entire home on the same heating and cooling system. To save on money from heating and cooling your sunroom when it is not in use, you can put the room in a “zone” and use a programmable thermostat in the sunroom. HVAC experts can help you create zones throughout your home.
Before choosing to go with this option, you should consider the size and capacity of your existing HVAC unit. Make sure that your current unit can handle the extra space to cool and heat, or you may need to invest in an upgraded system. Most newer HVAC units can handle this addition, but it is best to have professional advice when considering this option.
Ductless System
Ductless cooling and heating systems are versatile, efficient, and reliable HVAC systems. They are a good option when it comes to how you can best heat or cool your sunroom. Capable of both cooling your home in the summer and heating it in the winter, a ductless mini-split configuration allows you to bring comfort to new spaces and places in your home; no ductwork required.
Ductless systems can be wall or ceiling-mounted and can be used for both heating and cooling. They are a great option for sunrooms because they are usually small in size and offer a lot of flexibility in where they can be installed. They can be as discreet or as stylish as you want them to be. Ductless systems tend to cost some money upfront, so if you aren’t willing to put in the investment, this may not be a strong option for you.
Portable Heating and AC Units
Portable heating and AC units are sometimes used to cool and heat sunrooms. A portable unit works like a window mounted room air conditioner, in that it is not a permanent fixture and installation is simple. The difference is that the portable units do not protrude from a window, making it more aesthetically pleasing from the outside.
Portable heating and air conditioning units require a small window that can vent the air, along with an outlet nearby to plug into. An advantage of the portable unit is that they are inexpensive and easy to install. These units can be used for both heating and cooling. The disadvantage of a portable unit is that many of them are bulky and can take up space. Another drawback of this unit is that it can be difficult in getting an exact temperature for the room, especially in the extremely hot times of the year.
Other Options to Best Heat or Cool Your Sunroom
Space heaters are an option for heating your sunroom, if you don’t want to have a more permanent solution. Space heaters are cost-effective and easy; however, they also mean you must wait a little while for the room to heat, and the result may not be as warm as you would like.
Overhead fans are another option for cooling your sunroom. A ceiling fan can create a breeze and cool down the room a bit, but it will not remove the humidity or cool the room to the same temperatures as an air conditioning unit would.
Reimer Is Here to Help
Generations of local homeowners have trusted Reimer with their home’s heating, cooling, and plumbing needs. We’re dedicated to you and your home. We will help you to decide how you can best heat or cool your sunroom.
Our professionals can help repair, tune-up, or install HVAC systems. We are also experts when it comes to ductless systems. Let us help you turn your Buffalo, NY sunroom into a room that you can enjoy all year. Contact us today.
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