6 New Home HVAC Installation Tips for Homeowners

New Home HVAC Installation: What Homeowners Need to Know

Houston, always a bustling and growing city, is seeing a surge in new construction.¹ The market is adjusting after a few years of volatility and the change is refreshing. Building a new home is an exciting and daunting venture! The structure being planned will service your family (and potentially other families) for decades to come, so each decision seems very important.

The decision-making excitement often seems to focus on surfaces and finishes. However, the decisions concerning heating and cooling are only made once, so reserve some attention for the sake of long-term comfort.

New Home HVAC Installation Tip 1: Insulate Well

After the drywall is installed, homeowners hope to never see the insulation again. Making sure the home is well-insulated affects family comfort every day and the utility bill every month. If you have the option, purchase premium insulation once and reap the benefits often.

New Home HVAC Installation Tip 2: Invest in Good Windows

Current design trends highlight open concepts and lots of natural light, but natural light also translates into solar gain. The good news is that winter sunshine can warm a home by 10⁰ when windows are left uncovered. The bad news is that summer sunshine can warm a home by 10⁰ when windows are left uncovered. Research recent innovations in window technology and make great decisions that help you use solar gain to your advantage.

New Home HVAC Installation Tip 3: Carefully Size the System

Air conditioners are sized by the ton, but this is not a reference to the weight of the components, but a convenient measure of British Thermal Units (BTUs). Furnaces, on the other hand, are measured directly by BTU output. Installation contractors will perform a load calculation to determine the proper size for both components.

• Buying big might sound like a good idea, but an oversized system cools the space so rapidly, that it causes short cycles—the AC turns on and off quickly and frequently. Short cycles create stress on electrical controls and shorten the life of the system. This also decreases the amount of moisture removed from the air, leaving a home humid and musty.
• Buying small might sound like it would save money, but an undersized system struggles to keep up on extremely hot (or cold) days. Long cycles also create strain on the system and shorten its useful life.

New Home HVAC Installation Tip 4: Efficiency Rating

HVAC components also come with ratings that measure efficiency. The air conditioner rating is called Season Energy Efficiency Rating or SEER and the furnace rating is called Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE. Improved efficiency translates to energy savings and lower utility bills. The U.S. Department of Energy regulates minimum standards for energy efficiency, but higher efficiency systems are available.

New Home HVAC Installation Tip 5: Thermostat Upgrade

A thermostat is a sensor/switch that calls for cooling or heat as desired. Old-school thermostats were simple switches, but present versions offer many convenient options. Smart thermostats come with cellphone apps and allow owners to customize temperature changes. A schedule can help save money, increase comfort, or both. If plans change, the schedule can be adjusted remotely with the app.

New Home HVAC Installation Tip 6: Keep the System Fresh

A new HVAC system will bring state-of-the-art heating and cooling technology to your home, but for the system to remain efficient it requires regular maintenance. Manufacturers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency both recognize that regular maintenance adds useful years to systems. The installation contractor is a good place to start for regular maintenance.

Let us help with your New Home HVAC Installation

Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help you with your New Home HVAC Installation needs. Contact us and get the help you need.

¹ https://abc13.com/city-with-the-most-new-homes-house-construction-rate-houston-houses-being-built-in-us-highest-population-growth/13386058/#:~:text=1%20city%20in%20the%20US%20for%20new%20home%20construction%20in%202023&text=On%20average%2C%205%2C766%20Houston%20home,landed%20in%20the%20top%2010