Building a new home can be incredibly exciting. In addition to putting your personal stamp on everything from the countertops to the paint color, you also get to choose air conditioners, furnaces, and other critical components to ensure comfort. Here are a few factors you should consider when selecting an HVAC system during the home building process.

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing an HVAC System

1. Home Size

While central and geothermal systems work well for mid-sized homes, smaller houses can be efficiently heated and cooled with stand-alone, ductless units. Large properties with zoned heating and cooling may require more than one unit for consistent temperatures. 

Familiarize yourself with the square footage and ceiling height of each level, and decide if you need separate heating and cooling zones. Ask a professional contractor to conduct a heat load analysis based on the size of the home.

2. Efficiency

Air conditioners and furnaces have efficiency ratings that can impact utility costs. AC units are rated based on the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, which is the amount of power that unit is projected to use over a season. Higher ratings indicate better efficiency.  

Furnaces have an AFUE rating, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. AFUE ratings are expressed in percentages, with higher scores indicating more efficient systems. 

An excellent efficiency rating can dramatically impact the lifetime cost of owning the air conditioner or furnace. For instance, investing in a unit with a SEER rating of 19 could save 53% on your cooling costs over a 9-rated system.

3. Customization

Some homeowners want the temperatures to be stable throughout the day, while others want certain areas to be warmer or cooler. For instance, if you have family members who chill easily, they may want their rooms to be slightly warmer. 

Stand-alone, ductless units allow for more customization than central systems. Think about your family’s preferences, and talk with an HVAC contractor about accomplishing those goals. 

If you have questions about choosing an HVAC system for your new home, turn to Custom Heating & Cooling in Mountain Home, AR. Since 1987, this trusted team of professionals has helped clients improve the efficiency and comfort of their homes with better heating and air conditioning. Learn more about how they can help by visiting their website, or call their office at (870) 425-9498 for more information.