Island Ductless -
February 2, 2021
Accessory Dwelling Units provide a versatile space for families during COVID-19 and beyond.
According to a study by Gallup, 62% of employed Americans currently say they have worked from home during the crisis, a number that has doubled since mid-March. The global pandemic has undoubtedly created unimaginable change throughout society, impacting our lives at work, home, and beyond. The shift of how and where we work, learn, and socialize occurred so rapidly, we are still working to adapt to a new normal. One of the greatest challenges of this shift is finding or creating a reliable quiet space for children to attend virtual school, parents to work, and families to find balance in between. It’s not surprising that many families became interested in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), as they help create additional space that is safe, quiet, and suitable for a variety of needs.
What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit? An ADU, also known as a “Granny flat” or in-law suite, is a small additional unit that is placed on your property either above the garage, in the basement, or even as a standalone building. While in most cases ADUs are small, they are typically very comfortable, plus there is the option to add a kitchen and bathroom, creating a feasible and convenient living space. Even though many people choose to use them as rental units as a source for additional income, there has become a surge of interest in using them as home offices, remote learning spaces, and quarantine or isolated spaces. In addition, ADUs are a great option for families to provide a separate, safe space to host guests or to house elderly family while still enabling independence.
Building ADUs: What you need to know
The first step in adding an ADU to your property is ensuring that they are legal in your area. While ADUs are legal in most parts of the United States, and are especially popular in California, double checking would be the first step. Once you determine if they are legal in your area, you will need to obtain the proper permits to build on your property. These need to be completed before the start of construction. Connecting with a good contractor will help ensure you meet each step along the way.
Ductless Heat Pumps: The choice for ADUs
Compact, efficient, and affordable
Adding ADUs to your property comes with a multitude of benefits, but also a few challenges. Because ADUs are typically small, they do not have room for ductwork that is required for traditional heating and cooling systems, which makes ductless heat pumps ideal for this type of living space. While mini-split systems are compact, they can also be installed quickly, are extremely efficient, and provide ideal and affordable comfort. In addition, ductless heat pumps provide a multi-stage filtration that decreases air particulates such as bacteria, dust, allergens, and pollen. Air scrubbers can also be added to the indoor units, eliminating up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses for improved air quality. The happy result is high indoor air quality for you in your ADU.
In closing
In a time of social distancing, working from home, and quarantine, ADUs have become a creative solution to homeowner challenges. The additional space not only supports work-life balance, but it helps families provide a quiet space to work, learn, create, and care for relatives while maintaining distance and enabling independence. Give us a call at 360-321-4252 for more information on how ductless heat pumps can provide efficient heating and cooling for ADUs.
