New Construction HVAC

How Does HVAC Planning Help Construction?

Here's something most Post Falls builders won't tell you: the HVAC decisions you make during the planning phase will affect your comfort and energy bills for the next 20+ years. We've seen too many beautiful new homes with heating and cooling systems that were clearly afterthoughts – oversized equipment that cycles on and off constantly, ductwork squeezed into impossible spaces, and thermostats placed in the worst possible locations. The truth is, most builders treat HVAC like a checkbox item rather than the complex system that literally determines how comfortable your family will be every single day.

When we get involved early in the design process, we can properly size your system based on your home's actual heating and cooling needs, design ductwork that delivers even temperatures throughout every room, and position equipment for optimal performance and easy maintenance. Early planning also saves you serious money – it's much cheaper to run ductwork and install equipment during construction than to retrofit everything later when walls are closed up and landscaping is in place. Plus, we can coordinate with your builder to protect your investment during construction, ensuring your new equipment doesn't get damaged by sawdust, paint fumes, or careless workers.

We've worked with dozens of Post Falls area builders and know exactly when each phase of HVAC installation needs to happen for the smoothest possible process. The best part? Starting early gives you time to explore energy-efficient options and smart home features that can be seamlessly integrated during construction rather than awkwardly added later.

What Are Common New Construction HVAC Mistakes?

Even experienced Post Falls builders can make costly HVAC mistakes that create years of comfort and efficiency problems. Here are the issues we encounter most often in new construction projects:

• Oversized Equipment: Many builders install oversized furnaces and air conditioners, thinking bigger is better, but oversized systems cycle on and off frequently, waste energy, and create uncomfortable temperature swings. Proper load calculations ensure your system runs efficiently and maintains consistent comfort throughout your home.
• Poor Ductwork Design: Ductwork crammed into tight spaces or routed through unconditioned areas loses efficiency and creates uneven heating and cooling. We design ductwork systems that deliver the right amount of conditioned air to each room while minimizing energy loss through proper sizing and strategic routing.
• Inadequate Duct Sealing: Leaky ductwork can waste 20-30% of your heating and cooling energy, but many contractors rush through sealing or skip it entirely. We properly seal all joints and connections, then test the entire system to ensure optimal efficiency and performance.
• Thermostat Placement Problems: Thermostats installed near heat sources, in direct sunlight, or in areas with poor airflow give false readings that affect your entire home's comfort. We strategically locate thermostats in representative areas where they can accurately sense your home's actual temperature needs.
• Skipping System Commissioning: Many builders consider the job done once equipment is installed, but proper commissioning involves testing, adjusting, and optimizing system performance. We thoroughly test and calibrate every component to ensure your new HVAC system operates exactly as designed from day one.