When my husband and I finally saved up enough money and had enough equity to qualify for a loan, we were ready to build our dream home.
We had no idea how much time, effort and stress would go into the project.
Determined not to live with regrets, we carefully researched everything from roofing materials and brands of windows to appliances and water heaters. One of the biggest undertakings was the heating and cooling system. We live in an area where the weather is extreme just about year round. The system needs to handle temperatures from twenty-five below zero up to the high nineties. We wanted something that would not only provide consistent comfort but also operate quietly and energy efficiently. Reliability, longevity, indoor air quality and aesthetics were also priorities. After a lot of reading and debate, we decided on a high-efficiency gas furnace and central air conditioner. This choice meant that we needed a duct system designed and installed to the specifics of the home. If there are too many bends in the pipes, airflow is restricted, diminishing efficiency and leading to shortened service life, higher running costs and hot and cold spots. If the pipes aren’t properly joined together, the heated and cooled air can leak out. Polluted outside air can get drawn into the system. We made certain to choose an HVAC contractor that included an in-house sheet metal fabrication shop. We were impressed by their customer reviews, qualifications and list of completed projects. By having the same contractor fabricate the ductwork and install the furnace and air conditioner, the process was completed in a timely manner.