HVAC Options for New Home Construction

You’ve picked out the countertops, agonized over paint colors, and meticulously selected every faucet and fixture in your new home. But… did you stop to think about your HVAC system?

Picking out your new heating and cooling system is just as important as every other selection you need to make, possibly even more so. As much as those granite counters will wow your guests, they’re not going to keep you cozy in winter or cool during the sweltering Ohio summer months.

So, let’s dive into the exciting (yes, exciting!) world of HVAC options and how you can make sure your new home is as comfortable as it is beautiful. Wm Price Heating Co. has compiled a list of different HVAC options for new home builds and the pros and cons of each so you can simplify your decision.

Understanding Your HVAC Needs

Before choosing the right system, you need to understand the specific heating and cooling needs of your new home build. How do you figure that out when you haven’t even moved in yet?

You’ll want to consider things like the square footage, the number of floors, the number of rooms, the number of occupants who live in the home, the amount and type of appliances, type of fuel for heating, and even the local climate. All of these aspects will affect the performance of an HVAC system and ultimately can impact which system is best for your new home.

This is where working with a professional HVAC company in Youngstown is key. Wm Price Heating Co. can help assess your new home build and recommend different HVAC options based on their assessment and your heating and cooling preferences.

Ideally, getting professional feedback on which HVAC system is best for your new home construction should be done prior to breaking ground to ensure there is time and the needed fixtures or space in place for your desired system setup.

New Home Construction HVAC Options

It is important to be aware of what heating and cooling options are available to make an informed decision, so let’s break them down.

Traditional Split Systems

You’re probably familiar with the classic central heating and cooling system, also known as a forced air split system. It consists of an outdoor unit (the air conditioner or heat pump) and an indoor unit (the furnace or air handler) that is connected to a duct system which moves the conditioned air throughout the house.

It is one of the most common and economical styles of heating and cooling systems that Youngstown builders default to when their buyers don’t have a preference.

Now, just because they are common or the default choice does not mean they are always the most viable option to meet your needs. Let’s compare the pros and cons of this style of heating and cooling for new home builds.

Pros:

• Versatility: These systems can provide both heating and cooling. As one of the most common HVAC systems in North America, replacement parts, support, and maintenance services easily available.
  
• Consistent Comfort: The ductwork ensures air is evenly distributed throughout your home.
  
• Variety of Options: Compatible with a wide range of indoor air quality add-ons like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air filtration, smart thermostats, zoning, and ventilation.

Cons:

• Space-Consuming: Installing ductwork can take up a lot of attic or basement space. The bulky vents and intakes might not be your favorite feature if you are going for that minimalist aesthetic as wall space may be a limiting factor.
  
• Energy Loss: Traditional ducted systems can become less energy efficient over time due to leaks or the insulation becoming less efficient over time in the ductwork.

• Uneven Heating or Cooling: Temperature differences between rooms or floors can be a problem, especially in larger homes or those with poor duct design.
• May require zoning systems (which can be expensive) to optimize comfort.

Ductless Mini Split Systems

If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional system, consider a ductless mini split system. This type of system doesn’t require ductwork, making it an attractive option for those who prefer a sleeker, less invasive HVAC setup. A ductless heat pump or air conditioner features an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units that are mounted on the wall or ceiling.

Ductless mini splits have been increasing in popularity among new Youngstown homeowners due to their sleek appearance and zoning capabilities—and the subsequent energy savings that can result. Review their pros and cons to see if this setup would be an ideal match for your new construction home.

Pros:

• Eco-Friendly: No ducts mean no energy loss due to leaks! Plus, these systems don’t burn fossil fuels and use variable capacity inverter driven technology.
  
• Customizable: Each indoor unit can be controlled independently, allowing for zoned heating and cooling.
  
• Space-Saving: With no ducts required, the system is ideal for homes with limited attic or basement space, or those who want to avoid the hassle of ductwork installation.

Cons:

• Upfront Costs: Mini splits can be more expensive initially than traditional systems.
  
• Aesthetic: Some people might not love the look of the wall-mounted units, though they do come in sleeker designs now.

• Variety of Options: Less compatible with a wide range of indoor air quality add-ons like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air filtration, smart thermostats, and ventilation.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps have become a highly efficient and an economical choice for both the winter and the summer. They work like an air conditioner in the summer, cooling your home, and in the winter, they extract heat from the outdoors to heat your home. Much like a mini split system, many cold climate heat pumps, use inverter driven compressor technology to maximize comfort and efficiency. They can be paired with an air handler and an auxiliary heat package for all electric or combined with a gas or oil furnace known as a dual fuel or hybrid heat system.

Heat pumps are commonly paired with a secondary unit to create the split system described above. Hybrid Heat systems are especially popular in areas with more extreme winters as a way to save on fuel and utility costs. Whether it be an all-electric heat pump system or a hybrid heat system, a Wm Price Heating Co. representative can help you choose a reliable and efficient system for your new home build.

Pros:

• Efficiency: Heat pumps are highly efficient, often achieving 3–4 times the energy output compared to the electricity they consume. This can lead to significantly lower utility bills compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
  
• Dual Purpose: A heat pump can both heat and cool your home, eliminating the need for a separate furnace and air conditioner.
  
• Environmentally Friendly: They reduce carbon emissions because they don’t burn fossil fuels (especially when powered by renewable electricity). Great option for reducing your home’s carbon footprint.

Cons:

• Less Effective in Cold Climates: Air-source heat pumps begin to lose capacity in temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (though newer models with cold-climate technology are improving). May require auxiliary heating in very cold regions.
  
• Installation Complexity: Proper installation is crucial. Poor installation can drastically reduce performance and efficiency.

• Electrical Dependency: All electric heat pump systems rely entirely on electricity, which can be a con if your local grid is not clean or is prone to outages.

Boilers

Looking for an alternative to a forced-air system? Enter the boiler—a classic yet reliable option that provides radiant heat through a network of pipes and radiators. Instead of blowing hot air, gas or oil boilers heat water, which is then circulated throughout your home to keep things warm and cozy.

Choosing the right system setup can make all the difference in your home’s comfort and efficiency. Contact the HVAC professionals at Wm Price Heating Co. to explore which boiler and cooling options best complement your new home.

Pros:

• Even Heating: Delivers radiant heat, which feels warmer and more consistent compared to forced-air systems. No drafts or temperature swings.
• Quiet Operation: Boilers don’t rely on fans, so they run quietly—perfect for those who value peace and quiet.
• Energy Efficiency: Modern boilers are highly efficient, especially when paired with radiant floor heating systems, reducing energy consumption and heating costs. Easy to create multiple zones for heating different areas of the house at different temperatures.

Cons:

• No Cooling: Boilers only provide heat, so you’ll need a separate air conditioning system for cooling in the summer.
• Longer Heating Time: Since boilers rely on heating and circulating water, they can take longer to warm a room than a forced-air system.
• Installation Costs: Installing a boiler can be more complex (and expensive), particularly if your new home build was not initially designed for one.

High-Efficiency Furnaces

Furnaces provide reliable warmth, especially in colder climates, and with high-efficiency options available, you can enjoy lower utility costs. Like heat pumps, these systems can be installed as stand-alone heating units or as part of a traditional split system.

Choosing the right size and fuel source, such as natural gas, propane, or oil, ensures your furnace will meet your home’s specific needs while offering long-term savings and comfort.

How efficiently a furnace converts fuel into energy is measured in AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency). High-efficiency gas furnaces have an AFUE rating of 95 percent or higher, meaning 95 percent (or more) of the fuel source is converted into heat.

Choosing a high-efficiency furnace can greatly affect your home’s energy consumption—an estimated lifetime savings of $1,094 to $1,329.

Review these pros and cons of high-efficiency furnaces to provide insight into your HVAC evaluation. Wm Price Heating Co. is here for you if you have any questions about these systems or whether they’d work best for your new construction home.

Pros:

• Lower Energy Bills: High-efficiency furnaces can save you significant amounts of money on your heating bills. Many high efficiency furnaces offer multiple stages of heat.
  
• Eco-Friendly: They produce fewer emissions than standard furnaces, making them a greener option. Many high efficiency furnaces have variable speed, energy saving blower motors reducing power consumption for both heating and cooling.
  
• Quiet Operation: Many high-efficiency models are designed to run quietly.

Cons:

• Upfront Cost: Like most high-efficiency systems, you’ll pay more initially, but the energy savings can balance that out over time.

Zoned HVAC Systems

Zoned control systems can be added a forced air ducted system to achieve the perfect temperature in different parts or floors of the house. Typically, 2-story homes, large ranches, or split-level homes are difficult to maintenance even temperatures throughout the home due to construction and availability of wall space to run ductwork. Installing a zoned control system allows airflow and temperatures for different zones to be controlled with automated dampers in the ductwork, managed by individualized thermostats.

These systems are ideal for maintaining specific temperatures in large rooms with vaulted ceilings, multi-story homes, or other specialty used rooms or spaces, allowing for minimized wasted heating or cooling in unused rooms, or maintaining different temperatures across levels for maximum comfort.

Pros:

• Personalized Comfort: Set different temperatures for different areas, ensuring no one in your family is too hot or too cold.
  
• Energy Savings: Only heating or cooling the areas you use reduces energy waste.
  
• Smart Controls: Many zoned systems integrate with smart thermostats, allowing you to control them remotely via your smartphone and through automated learning.

Cons:

• Complex Installation: Setting up a zoned system can be a bit more involved since it requires additional controls.
  
• Cost: It’s more expensive than a basic system, but the energy savings and comfort can make it worthwhile.

HVAC Tax Credit Considerations

When selecting an HVAC system for your new home build, you should consider the tax credits available for energy-efficient models. The federal government offers significant incentives for installing high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, which can reduce the overall cost of your project.

Systems that meet ENERGY STAR^® guidelines often qualify for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which promotes sustainable home improvements. Eligible systems, like heat pumps or air conditioners, can save you money through tax credits and lower your monthly utility bills due to their energy-saving features.

Before purchasing, confirm the system’s eligibility and consult with your HVAC contractor about these potential savings to help you make an informed decision. You may find that in addition to tax credits, individual companies may also offer specials on select heating and cooling systems for additional savings.

Final Thoughts: Choose Wisely!

As you select the finishing touches for your new home, remember your HVAC system. It’s easy to get swept up in the aesthetics of your new home’s design, but comfort and efficiency are just as important!

Whether you choose a traditional split system, a cutting-edge mini split setup, or something in between, investing in the right HVAC option will make your new home feel just as good as it looks!

When you need help deciding or wish to learn more about a specific type of HVAC system, contact the pros at Wm Price Heating Co. Our experience in Youngstown, OH, and installing systems in new home construction and long-standing homes has provided us with valuable insight we would be happy to share with you. Call 330-545-3722 or schedule an estimate online.