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If you currently use your attic for storage or to run electrical and plumbing lines, you might wish to turn it into something useful. For example, it can be a good guest room, storage room, gym, or spare bedroom. The good news is it can be turned into your desired space. All you need to focus on are a few important things.
This guide focuses on converting an attic into a living space. It emphasizes what HVAC changes and modifications you need to do for a safe transition.
Most NJ homes have an insulation layer along the floor. It means the attic is excluded from the rest of the house. Before you actually start construction, move this insulation or add a new layer joining the attic as well. It ensures this area, along with the rest of the home, is ready to receive its share of the comfort.
Just like the insulation, many NJ homes have ductwork limited to the livable space only. It means the attic area is out of this network. And in many cases, this is also accompanied by a lack of complete electrical and plumbing connections. If the same is the case for you, ensure the attic region is attached securely with all mechanical connections as the rest of the home. The electrical connection is required for power supply, while ductwork is required for conditioned air distribution. Without them, this region will be away from the conditioned air supply.
You must have chosen your current HVAC system according to your home’s total livable square footage. Whether it is an air conditioner, furnace, boiler, or a hybrid heat pump, it must be of a capacity to handle the current rooms at the maximum. If you add an attic to the same HVAC, it will increase the burden. The ultimate result you will encounter may include higher bills, faster wear and tear, and complete system failure in some adverse cases.
The solution lies in making up for this limitation. You can have two ways. First, check if your current system is approaching end-of-life. If so, choose a larger, high-capacity unit as a replacement that has the potential to handle the attic as well. If the current HVAC is still in good condition, install a separate, smaller mini-split unit just to handle the attic comfort. A mini-split is a better choice over traditional units because of its compact size and on-demand, exclusive temperature control.
No matter how efficient the HVAC system is, if there are cracks, gaps, or fissures in the walls, conditioned air is wasted. The same happens if you overlook proper sealing of the space once construction is over. Proper sealing ensures conditioned air remains confined to the space where it is actually needed. But never confuse sealing with ventilation. Many homeowners make the mistake of sealing their spaces so confinedly that there is no pathway for fresh air. It ends in feeling that the indoor air is stuffy.
Keep the newly finished living room sealed, but make sure there is a sufficient pathway for fresh air. One great strategy for ensuring this is to keep return air ducts added along with the supply vents.
New Jersey is a highly regulated state. Every major mechanical renovation has critical code-compliance rules. Make sure you comply with these local codes to prevent voiding warranties or serious allegations. Obtain the permit, choose a licensed contractor for services, and schedule an inspection once the job is done. Follow the same criteria for both HVAC and mechanical changes.
Turning an attic into a living space is possible but requires a careful execution strategy. From an HVAC perspective, make sure to add insulation, extend ductwork, choose a suitable HVAC system as compensation, ensure proper sealing, and comply with local codes. Above all, choose licensed contractors so the whole process completes smoothly.
Feel free to reach out to us at Lehigh HVAC for expert services in New Jersey.
