Home Building Guide

For the Week of June 28

Light up your home! Bath your home and yard in soft lighting. It brings out the beauty of your home construction and your landscaping design:

find ideas: view garden lighting | find a lighting contractor

Choosing a HVAC System

An essential "ingredient" for every new home is the HVAC system -- your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning -- as maintaining a proper indoor climate is critical toward providing a comfortable living environment. Homes today are much more energy efficient than those built a generation or two ago as therma pane windows, better insulation, and improved duct work play a significant role in reducing energy usage while providing adequate levels of heating and cooling. Let's take a look at what you need in an HVAC system that does its job well and brings real home energy savings to you.

Get In The Zone

Zone control will help distribute heating and cooling much more efficiently. For homes with two or more stories and for all homes 2500 square feet and larger, it makes sense to divide the home up into energy sections. If you spend most of your day on one level or in one area of the home, then why waste energy by heating or cooling the rest of the house at the same temperatures? Consider installing more than one system if your house is very large or use zone damper systems where multiple thermostats and ducts provide varying levels of energy control throughout the house.

Let's Get Efficient

With so many people concerned about their personal energy usage, finding ways to save on energy costs is important. Consider solar or wind power as supplements to your regular HVAC system, but if that isn't practical you can always make your home heating and cooling system as efficient as possible with the equipment you choose. A properly designed and installed duct work system with adequate duct sealing is a start -- avoid losing heating or cooling that should be used to regulate room temperatures. Check the energy ratings on your heating/cooling pack, furnace or central air conditioning unit and go with those HVAC systems offering provable energy savings. Contact your electric or gas company for information on selecting the right equipment for your home's needs. Some utility companies will provide a free energy audit to help you choose the best HVAC system.

Consider Humidification and Dehumidification

If the air is too dry in your home, that can cause a number of health related issues including sore throats or nose bleeds. Adequate humidification control adjusts to what is going on outside of your home and it will lessen static electricity and help preserve wood furniture as well as your tiling, woodwork and doors.

Air Quality Matters

The quality of your home's air shouldn't be taken for granted. As today's homes are better sealed than ever before, heat and cooling leakage levels are much lower. However, tightly sealed homes can be breeding grounds for germs, stale odors, dust, etc. Change your air filters frequently and consider various types of electronic air cleaners which can help remove indoor air pollution.

Finally, when you move your furniture into your home, you'll want to make sure that all vent and register areas are kept unblocked to maximize air circulation and to provide even distribution of your home heating and cooling. Choosing the right HVAC system will save on energy, provide adequate heating and cooling, and keep the inside air clean with the best systems eventually paying for themselves.

To help you build your home, please download a free copy of our construction spec worksheet.

More Information:

• view our spec plan: HVAC systems

Electrical Wiring

Home wiring has changed dramatically over the past decade, as new homes are now being wired to respond to the information age. Although wireless internet access is in vogue, you'll still need superior connections to handle home entertainment systems including powerful high definition televisions, movie screens and whole house stereo systems as these types of consumer goods continue to find their way into so many homes. Add in security systems, central heating and cooling, electric garage doors, and a host of appliances and the drain on any home's electrical system can be huge.

So, when is the right time to wire a home under construction? As soon as it is dry. Specifically, after the roof has been completed, windows added, and doors put in place. When the elements are kept out then electrical wiring can be run throughout the house and out to the deck, pool area, shed, etc. Ceiling and wall lighting may be installed during this phase, or at least designed so that electrical switches and sockets can be installed prior to dry walling.

Right now is the time for you to consider all of your current and future electrical needs as calling in an electrician after the fact can be very expensive. Electricians who regularly work new construction have kept up with current consumer tastes and will make recommendations based on your needs. You'll likely want the following for your home:

• Multiple switches put in place for a single light (upstairs and downstairs).
• Dual switches for light and ceiling fan.
• Install photoelectric cells for the outside and along pathways.
• Install motion detection sensors around the garage, the backyard and other areas where human activity is common.
• Ask for special wiring for computers, entertainment rooms, alarm systems, ceiling fans, and the like.
• Add additional outlets along the kitchen counters and bathroom for appliances, hair dryer, etc.
• Talk to your electrician about installing a whole-house surge protector to thwart sudden surges in electrical output. Today's sensitive and expensive electronic equipment can easily be ruined by spikes in electrical demand; opt for the best protection to preserve your technological investments.

Today's home electrical systems are available to power the needs of the 21st century family. New wiring technologies are ready for your home, so discuss with your electrician how you can take full advantage of all that is available to you.

Photo Credit: Emiliano Spada; Rome, Italy

More Information:

• view our spec plan: home wiring