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Heating & Air Conditioning

Assistance please for HVAC systems - new build

16 years ago

We are negotiating our contract with our builder and the cost of HVAC systems has come up. We were given a blanket price of $14,500 as the HVAC line item with the labor & materials (duct work). We have no idea if this is high/low?

The house is in VA (Hampton Roads) and it's 3,186 sq ft (2 stories) + a garage that will not be heated (insulated though). The first floor has the foyer, kitchen + pantry, LR, DR, master bedroom/bath, powder room, laundry room & family room - 1,816 sq. ft.

The second floor has the remaining bedrooms & 2 bathrooms - 1,370 sq ft and it's open to below - can see the family room at the rear of the house and foyer at the front of the house from the second floor balcony/hallway.

Dad's HVAC person said we should have 2 units (or 2 zones?) and have a heat pump. He also said that $14,500 is high? But he has not seen the plans at all. Another friend told us that we should be able to have an "American Standard" system installed for $8,500? These prices are so drastically different that we are not sure which way to go?

Anyone feel like sharing HVAC information?

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (5)

charger69111
16 years ago
I have a 1841,2800 sqft stone house in Quebec [cold]and I had a new system installed last fall,14 seer 2.5 ton plus new oil furnace and all new duct work for 12,000,this included a new oil tank.The house has 13 rooms.For your climat I would say 14,500 is a little steep,I would get more quotes.
valover
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks!!!

Got a new quote today that is much better :-) We need 2 three ton units and our house will be 90% furnace with about 30 vents (half upstairs and half down). New quotes is $4,600 per unit - $9,200 total.
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funnycide
16 years ago
Are both units going to be split systems? I know new homes in Hampton Roads often use a packaged unit for the 1st floor blowing into the crawl space and a split system for the attic unit. Not that that is a bad system but you should know what you are getting.
If you are having a crawl space ask about what type of insulation for the ducts. Condensation can be an issue.
valover
Original Author
16 years ago
We did not ask about but now we will. Great advice!!
fsq4cw
16 years ago
Since youÂre custom building a new home why not consider leaving all the last century technologies behind and install a triple function geothermal heat pump with radiant in-floor heating? This way one unit will heat and air-condition with forced air, provide the most comfortable heating, radiant in-floor heating, and heat your domestic hot water. You will achieve the lowest operating and maintenance cost, greatest degree of comfort and safety and highest resale value. Not to mention itÂs THE most environmentally friendly way to space condition.

"3180 sq. ft."; whatÂs that going to cost to space-condition in 10 years with conventional technologies? Go cheap now and pay as long as you live there. Going with 21st century state of the art technology youÂll pay once and save year after year and get your money back when you cash out and sell.

Since were talking about first costs, as this is new construction, look at the cost differentials. Explore Âgreen mortgagesÂ, lower interest rates for going green. Research state, federal and utility incentives for installing geothermal. You can do better than Âsame old, same oldÂ; challenge yourselves!

IMO

SR

Here is a link that might be useful: geoexchange.org

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