Unless you’re up for a major home improvement challenge, it’s best to bring the experts in early when you’re planning bathroom renovations or an addition. Bathrooms pack a lot of function into a small space. They’re also the one place in your home where you want the air temperature to be comfortable, especially in the winter.
The mechanical and technical expertise of the architect and the HVAC professional will guide you through the decision-making and execution processes, from the tear-down to the finish work.
How to Heat and Cool the Bathroom
How you decide to condition the bathroom will affect the design of the bathroom and it’s a good place to start the remodeling process. Options include:
- Extending the existing HVAC system. If your current equipment has enough capacity to keep the new or remodeled space comfortable, you can just extend or resize the existing ductwork. The HVAC pro will evaluate your home and the current system to see if it has adequate capacity.
- Installing a new HVAC system. If your current system has reached the end of its lifetime, bathroom renovations might be a good time to replace it.
- Going with a separate system. A ductless mini-split heat pump might be the best way to provide conditioned air. These systems don’t require ductwork to distribute heated or cooled air, and offer exceptional energy efficiency. They’re easy to install and offer flexibility for placement within the bathroom. The mini-split has is own thermostat, so when you’re not using the bathroom, you can save energy by changing the temperature.
Ventilation
Because bathrooms have high humidity levels, you’ll also have to consider its ventilation system. Building codes require either an operable window or an exhaust fan whose size depends on the cubic footage of the bathroom. Your HVAC expert can calculate the best size to use in the remodeled or new space.
Although they’re complicated, bathroom renovations will enhance home comfort and may lead to an increased value. To learn more about the HVAC considerations involved, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, providing trusted HVAC services for Lorain area homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about bathrooms and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area