What heating and cooling options do I have for a sunroom?
Looking to build a sunroom what heating and cooling options do I have?
When it comes to heating and cooling your new sunroom you will need to know what options are available to you. In this article we are going to discuss the different options that you have for heating and cooling a sunroom in Florida. As many Florida homeowners know Florida can be extremely hot and humid during summer months and mildly cold during the winter months. In order for you to enjoy a sunroom all year-round it is essential that you have a way to control the climate inside your new sunroom. There are several options you can choose from when installing heating and air-conditioning in your sunroom. Deciding on the option that is right for you and your home will depend on a few things such as, the type of sunroom, the size of the sunroom, the location of the sunroom (facing into or away from the sun), the cost to heat and cool the sunroom (efficiency), the purpose of the sunroom, and of course your personal preference.
Central Heating and Air Conditioning System for Sunrooms
Take control over the climate in your new sunroom with a central heating and cooling system. If your home currently uses ductwork for heating and cooling then extending your ductwork is an option for your new sunroom. If you choose to extend your ductwork to your sunroom you can have your entire home on the same heating and cooling system. This means that the temperature will be consistent throughout the entire home. Another option is having a separate thermostat installed in your sunroom to adjust the temperature in the sunroom alone. Something to consider before choosing this option is the size and capacity of your existing HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit. It’s very important to make sure that your current unit can handle the extra space to cool and heat the sunroom. Most newer HVAC units are able to handle such an addition but it is best to have professional advice when considering this option.
Ductless Mini Splits for Sunrooms
Ductless mini splits can be a good choice for a sunroom addition, especially when extending or installing ductwork for a central heating and cooling system is not feasible. Mini splits are somewhat like central heating and cooling systems, mini splits have two major components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and a condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units.
There are many advantages to installing a mini split heating & cooling system in your sunroom. Mini Splits offer state of the art technology that provides both heating and cooling to your sunroom. Mini Splits can be wall or ceiling mounted and can be used for heating and cooling. Mini splits are a great options for Florida sunrooms because they are usually small in size and offer a lot of flexibility in where they can be installed. Mini Splits can be as discreet or as stylish as you want them to be. There are many colors and finishes to choose from when picking a mini split. You can choose a finish that blends in with the style and design of your sunroom. You can also choose a mini split that is designed to look like a picture hanging on the wall. Mini splits are very aesthetically pleasing and are available in a variety of models that offer different styles to pick from to accommodate large or smaller sunrooms. Mini splits are quite, easy to install, energy efficient and very effective for cooling and heating.
Portable Heating and Air Conditioning Units for Sunrooms
Portable Cooling and Heating units are sometimes used to cool and heat sunrooms. A portable unit is similar to the old fashion window mounted room air-conditioner in that it is not a permanent fixture and installation is fairly simple. The difference between this unit is that they do not protrude from a window, making it more aesthetically pleasing from the outside. Many HOA (Home Owner Associations) in Florida will not allow traditional window mounted units to be used. This unit only requires a small window that can vent the air along with an outlet nearby to plug in. An advantage of the portable unit is that they are fairly 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 very bulky and can take up space. Another disadvantage of this unit is that it can be more difficult in getting a precise temperature especially in the very hot times of the year. It’s best to consider all of your options before deciding if a portable unit is right for you.
Overhead Fans for Sunrooms
Overhead Fans are a great addition to any sunroom, especially to cathedral sunrooms that have ceilings of eight feet or higher. Ceiling fans are a great addition because they allow you to be able to set your thermostat a few degrees higher than you normally would and still be able achieve the same desired temperature. When the temperature is more mild outside you may be able to solely rely on your ceiling fans to cool your sunroom. Ceiling fans work best in sunrooms that are at least eight feet tall. Ceiling fans should be about seven to nine feet from the floor to achieve the best results. Purchasing a ceiling fan that is labeled as “energy efficient” is the best choice. Energy efficient fans may cost a bit more but can lower your energy bill by as much as eight percent. An energy efficient ceiling fan can work an estimated 20 percent more efficiently when it has an energy star rating. If your sunroom has ceilings eight feet or more a ceiling or overhead fan is a great addition to your sunroom. Your sunroom will be cooler and the energy you save by using the fan will lower your utility bill making it a win win for you!
