skip to main content

Heating & Air Conditioning

Building New Home in South Louisiana

11 years ago

My husband and I are building a new home in South Louisiana where it is predominately HOT and very humid. We want to make a sound investment in our HVAC system and get the most value for our money. The home is 6500 sq ft of living with two stories. We have 12 ft ceilings downstairs and 10 ft ceilings upstairs. Downstairs has specs for 2 units and upstairs 1 unit. The upstairs unit will need to be the largest unit. Possibly one 5 ton and two 3-4 tons. Which brands and models including SEER should we begin to look at? Thanks for your input!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

tigerdunes
11 years ago
You will be all electric?

If so, you want to at least look into geothermal.

Otherwise conventional air source heat pumps with zoning controls. Trane, AmStd, Carrier, Bryant.

Will you be in a coastal environment?

Pst back.

IMO
energy_rater_la
11 years ago
invest in a load calculation to size the unit to
the house.

avoiding rule of thumb sizing will allow smaller
units, and dehumidification. 500 sq ft per ton
is approx what is speced for your home.

this will result in oversized units that will short cycling, resulting in higher operating costs & shortened life of equipment.

tightness of house, and reducing the duct
leakage are also good investments. the average
duct system has 25-30% duct leakage.

upgrade the insulation package to include
foam seal of attic if ducts are placed in attic.

there are several guides you can access through
LSU Ag Center for building in a hot humid climate.
Slemco has a design one brochure you can access
online.
building science has a builder's guide to hot
humid climates also acessable online.

use your time wisely to educate yourself as to
what makes an efficient house in our climate.

where are you building?

best of luck.
Related Discussions
Bermuda Grass Seed in South Louisiana
Q
Comments (7)
One thing TW did not mention was waiting until May or June to put the seed down. Bermuda must have very warm soil to germinate in any numbers. Also he did not say anything about adding soil. As long as you have the box blade at your disposal, make absolutely certain your drainage is away from all buildings and from your neighbor's buildings/property. That is what box blades are good at. If you have to haul soil away, you'll need a dump truck. If you need more soil, your friend with the tractor can tell you. But don't just guess that 3 inches of more dirt is beneficial. It probably is not.
...See More
South Louisiana mallows
Q
Comments (12)
Hi, I have had two hollyhock plants grow to over 6 ft here. (Ponchatoula) For me, they grew some the first year then really grew and bloomed the second year. I think one of the problems with hollyhocks is the heat. The one that bloomed this year could not take the heat we are having now, but earlier in the year it was beautiful. Add too much water to the heat and they just melt away. I tried planting malva zebrinas in pots in the fall, transplating in the spring. They bloomed some and the flowers were very pretty. But they could not take the heat and all the rain. I grow the Texas Red Star hibiscus, which is about seven ft tall this year and it will bloom from the really hot days until frost usually. I also grow the native hibiscus, cream color with maroon throat and some dinnerplate hardy hibiscus in pink and also maroon. I don't grow the tropicals because I don't like having to protect plants in winter. Keep trying with the hollyhocks, if you get just one to make it, it will be worth it. Sherri
...See More
New Pool Build Houston Area South
Q
Comments (4)
Digging was completed on Friday evening about 5 minutes prior to a downpour. So we had about a foot of water in the pool and a nice mud pit in the front. The errosion of the walls was a little scary to see... The rebar team came in around 9 on Saturday morning. It was very impressive to watch them bend steel rods and shape the pool based on the drawing. Here are some pictures of the steel: Our PB is Anthony Sylvan. Yep, our home is a Trendmaker. Here are some of the details: 89' Perimter 499 sq ft 3' to 6' depth 10.5' sun shelf 1 skimmer 4 returns 2 color logic led lights 20' of 18" RBB of stacked flagstone with flagstone cap 2 3' sheer descents Riviera Slate coping Stonescapes Mini Tahoe Blue (maybe....) Suction side cleaner 32 sq ft spa 12" raised with flagstone coping 6 jets color logic led light
...See More
New home Build in South Florida
Q
Comments (11)
"land value is ultimately a function of what can be developed and at what cost," I disagree. Land value is just land value, based on market conditions at that particular time. Land value has also gone up during these crazy times, specially in FL with so many people moving to the area, many who are willing to pay above market rates. I've seen lots that have been for sale for many years, all scooped up in the last year, at prices no one would have paid 2 years ago. Covid was the best thing to happen to some areas of FL when looked at from a real estate perspective. The fact that construction costs are high and you might have less to spend on the lot, doesn't mean the lot owner has to discount his lot to meet your total budget. Back to your question. A SW FL large builder is asking around $455 - 463/sq.ft not including the lot. You are also seeing tear downs and in those cases the buyers are certainly over paying for the lot, but that is just the premium cost of building a brand new house in an established and usually desirable area.
...See More
TreizeChenes
Original Author
11 years ago
TIgerdunes:

No, it is not electric, it's gas. And, yes...we are in a coastal region.

We are currently looking at the Trane 2-stage, 20 SEER unit to reduce operating costs. It's highly recommended from a friend. Any opinions?
TreizeChenes
Original Author
11 years ago
Energy Rater LA:

Hi neighbor! We are building in Madisonville. Are you near? Thanks very much for the suggestions on foam insulation as we are looking into it as well. And a big thank you for the reading material!
energy_rater_la
11 years ago
I was born in St Tammany, but live near Lafayette now.

if you do a foam insulated unvented attic,
you'll need to upgrade to high efficiency gas furnace.

compare the trane 20seer (actually 19seer) to
American Standard. same equipment..different name.

will you be gas & a/c on first floor &
heat pump on second floor?

you should contact LaGrange Consulting in
Madisonville. Great guy with excellent information.
and local for you!
always willing to recommend a colleague who does
exceptionally good work.
with his local contacts, he will be a good person
to help you with your build.

best of luck
TreizeChenes
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you very much, Energy!
TreizeChenes
Original Author
11 years ago
Just thought I would put my two cents into this thread since I was the original poster. I joined this site to get input from others whether in the field or not. I understood completely what Energy Rater was saying...he recommended load calculation and did not recommend sizing based on "rule of thumb sizing", i.e. 500 sq ft per ton. I did not get this confused. The information that Energy Rater posted was helpful.

A big thank you to all contributors who help those of us out when needed. Your time is much appreciated!

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: African Art and Midcentury Style in a Louisiana Home

Global mementos and classic modern furnishings come together in a couple’s one-of-a-kind home and artist’s studio-residence

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Heritage in a New Set of Hands at Louisiana Plantation House

A young couple put their stamp on a Victorian family home that's rich in history, heirlooms and Southern charm

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Rustic Charm in Rural Louisiana

See how wood warms the interior of this idyllic cabin getaway for art gallery owners

Houzz Interview: Susie Harris's Charming Louisiana Home

PATIOS Room of the Day: Vacationing at Home in Louisiana

By Mary Jo Bowling

With a fireplace, kitchen, dining area and living room–style seating, this New Orleans patio brings the indoors out

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Earthiness Grounds a Contemporary Louisiana Home

Generous wood and thoughtful design on a 32-acre site, pond included, make for a warm-looking home that naturally fits its owners

TASTEMAKERS 'House Proud' Celebrates Fearless Louisiana Style

By Becky Harris

Artful interiors get the spotlight in a decorator's new book. See the photos and get her tips for creating your own exuberant style

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Cottage Comforts in the Louisiana Woods

By Anna Addison Photography

Part secluded retreat, part party central, this cabin hidden among the trees is all good design

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Candy-Colored Church Conversion in South Australia

By Grace Chamia

A couple bring their 150-year-old church-turned-residence into the modern world

COTTAGE STYLE Houzz Tour: Lowcountry Charm for a South Carolina Cottage

By Becky Harris

Smart design and beautiful views help a family of 5 live comfortably in 1,200 square feet

Sponsored

More Discussions

A/c making humming sound

4

Moving the furnace? How difficult and how costly?

5

Typical charge to install fuse

35

Remote exhaust fan & range hood recommendations?

0

humidifier for a furnace in a closet

0