Planning a home renovation? While you’re focusing on aesthetics and layout, don’t overlook your HVAC during home renovation. Upgrading or adjusting your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning can improve comfort, efficiency, and even save you money in the long run. Here’s why your HVAC should be part of the renovation conversation.
Why HVAC Belongs in Your Renovation Blueprint
When you change your floor plan, the air needs to move in new ways. The heating and cooling ducts must also be checked. Here’s why:
- Comfort – Open rooms need supply and return vents placed right, or one side stays hot while another freezes.
- Rules – In cities like Houston, inspectors require a Manual J load report whenever you add or remove square feet.
- Savings – Swapping an old SEER 10 unit for a SEER 15–16 model can cut summer power bills about 35%. In a 2,000-square-foot house, that saving can add up to more than $300 every single year.
- Home value – Zillow finds buyers pay 5–7 % more for homes with proven high-efficiency HVAC.
Assess Your Current System
Use this four-step checklist before swinging the first hammer:
| Sign | What It Means | Fix or Replace? |
| Age > 12 yrs | Approaching the end of the average 15-year lifespan | Likely replace |
| SEER ≤ 13 | Below the 2023 federal baseline | Replace |
| Frequent repairs ($600+/yr) | Compressor & coil wear issue | Replace |
| Unusual Hot/cold rooms | Undersized, poor duct design | May need redesign |
If you’re planning a home renovation, don’t forget your HVAC system. Before the first wall comes down, ask for a free Manual J load calculation. This report measures room size, window type, insulation level, and Houston’s sticky summer climate. The result? An HVAC system sized by science, not the old “tons-per-square-foot” guesswork. This is the actual work.
See also: Home Security 101: Protecting What Matters Most
Repair vs. Replace: A 10-Year Cost Check
Is your current system worth saving, or is a new one a better deal? The numbers below compare three choices over a full decade of use.
| Option | Up-Front Cost | Yearly Power Bill* | 10-Year Power | 10-Year Total |
| Keep the old SEER 10 unit | $0 | $300 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Install a SEER 16 unit | $8,000 | $210 | $2,100 | $10,100 |
| Install a SEER 20 unit | $11,000 | $180 | $1,800 | $12,800 |
N.B. These amounts are approximate values. Contact The Chill Brothers for an updated price.
Assumes the house uses 2,000 kWh of cooling each year at $0.15 per kWh. The average rate for customers in Houston.
Why the Totals Tell Only Half the Story
- Old systems break down. An aged compressor and coil often takes $600 a year to repair.
- Comfort dips. A thermostat that is undersized or worn out will leave your room hot and sticky. Even though it says “cool”, it will not cool down your room or change the humidity in that room.
- High bills pile up. Bill is paid for again and again across 120 summer months.
Money-Back Boosts You Can Claim
- Federal Heat-Pump Tax Credit – Get 30 % (up to $2,000) off qualifying equipment, thanks to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
- Utility Rebates – The Chill Brothers have many offers going on, like the 0% interest rate program.
- ENERGY STAR® Savings – Certified models can save up to $1,925 over their lifetime compared with minimum units.
Bottom line: A SEER 16 system costs more up front, but lower energy bills and incentives can repay the difference in about six years. After that, every month is pure savings, plus quieter operation, stronger airflow, and a boost in home value.
When mapping out your remodel budget, set aside funds for an HVAC system upgrade that keeps paying you back long after the paint is dry.
Integrating HVAC with a New Layout
When you’re planning a home renovation, moving walls and changing rooms also change how air moves. Here’s how to keep your new layout cool and comfy:
- Open-Concept Living
When you take down walls in the middle of the room, air can get trapped in corners. To evenly distribute the air in the whole house, add return air vents(grills) in the middle. - Additions & ADUs
If you’re adding a new bedroom or a small unit in the backyard (like an ADU), ductless mini-split AC systems work great. They’re easy to install as they only need a small hole in the wall and don’t require long, expensive air ducts. - Kitchen Expansions
If you’re making your kitchen bigger and installing a fan over the stove (range hood), it can pull a lot of air. This sometimes causes the house to lose air pressure. Try to make up an air system to bring in fresh air from outdoors. - Zoning for Comfort
If you want cooler bedrooms, warmer living rooms, zoning is the solution for you. Motorized dampers inside your ducts divide your home into zones, so each part can have its own temperature setting.
Planning tip: Include these layout checks when you draft your renovation plans. Talking about installing HVAC systems with your contractor early is the best decision you can make. It will stop problems before they even start and keep your new space just right.
Include these layout checks when you draft your renovation plans. Talking about HVAC with your contractor while planning for the renovation solves almost every issue.
Right-Sizing & Efficiency Basics
When you’re planning a home renovation, don’t forget to size and choose your HVAC gear the right way. Since January 2023, the SEER2 rating has made it easier to compare real-world performance in humid places like Houston (Climate Zone 2A). Follow these four steps:
- Load Calculation (Manual J)
Think of this as a home “energy check-up”. Different factors influence the load calculation. For example, The Chill Brothers measure your rooms, windows, and insulation to find how much cooling and heating power you need. - Duct Design (Manual D)
Well-designed ducts move air quietly. We suggest keeping the airflow under 900 feet per minute (fpm), which stops the noisy whistling. - Equipment Selection
A variable-speed heat pump is the best choice. It can run slower when it’s mild, saving energy and drying out humidity without blasting cold air. Contact professionals like The Chill Brothers to find the best system for you. - Insulation Check
Even the best HVAC systems will be inefficient if your attic leaks heat. Tell your providers to aim for at least R-38 insulation to keep the cool air inside and hot air outside.
Renovation tip: Share these four requirements with your HVAC contractor before you close walls. Getting the load numbers, duct layout, and the right equipment is the most important. Also, ensure that the insulation set stops cold spots, high bills, and surprise fixes.
Indoor Air Quality Upgrades
When you renovate your home, it’s not just the dust that fills the air; there are paint fumes and tiny particles too. They can also make the air unhealthy. To keep the air clean and safe, add these upgrades to your HVAC system:
- MERV 13 Filter Rack
This is a high-grade air filter that catches tiny particles like fine dust, pollen, and even smoke from wildfires. It helps you breathe cleaner air and protects your new air ducts from getting dirty. - UV-C Coil Light
UV light goes inside the duct or coil of your HVAC system. It kills mold and bacteria before they can spread. In humid places like Houston, it also helps prevent bad smells. - HRV/ERV System
These systems bring in fresh outside air while retaining the heating & cooling from the air that’s inside. This means you get fresh air without wasting energy, and you can reuse up to 80% of the energy.
Smart Controls & Future-Proofing
A Wi-Fi thermostat with a zoning control board costs around $600, but it can lower your HVAC energy bills by 10–15% every year.
How it helps:
- The system works with variable-speed condensers that adjust how much power they use depending on the weather and the needs.
- On spring days in Houston, the system runs slower and removes humidity without the house getting too cold.
- You can always control your system with your phone. So, your house is always ready when you arrive back home.
Project Sequencing & Contractor Tips
When you’re planning a home renovation, use this HVAC sequence:
- Demo & Framing: Remove old ductwork and open walls.
- Rough-In: Install ducts, return vents, and refrigerant lines.
- Electrical Prep: Run power to the outdoor unit.
- Insulation & Testing: Seal attic and walls, then run a blower-door test.
- Drywall & Paint: Finish walls before equipment goes in.
- Equipment Setup: Place the unit, connect the refrigerant, and charge the system.
- Airflow Balancing: Adjust dampers and airflows for even cooling.
Data mirrors DOE Houston case studies, where conditioned-space ducts saved $375/year on energy.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Renovating your home? It’s the perfect time to fix hidden HVAC problems. You want to save twice as much compared to fixing after the walls are done? Do it now.
What to do:
- Calculate the numbers carefully and get a pro to do a load calculation (this tells you exactly what size and type of HVAC system you need).
- Now, you will have rebates & incentives available, which will save you a ton of money.
Need help?
The Chill Brothers can design, install, and fine-tune a system that fits your renovated space perfectly. Oh, and we’ll take care of the rebate paperwork for you.
