what fuel sources are available?

Is that going to be a 'year around' home, or summer+ only? Also, is that 3 levels of living space? If all year around, many contractors will NOT put a high efficiency furnace in an attic.

Most of the PROs recommend Trane equipment for sea shore installations of outdoor condensers, as they resist corrosion much better than others.

Are you building on LBI or lower down?

V

Sorry for that Tigerdunes, we have natural gas at the street. Veesubotee, the older home was a summer home but was torn down, the new home to be built will be a full time year round home in a few years.
The new home will have the top 2 levels as living space (1350sq.ft on 2nd floor, 450sq.ft on top)and the lower level will be garage/storage.
At some point in the future we may finish part of the lower level for summer time entertaining.
The home is located on the bay side of ocean county

Is the lower level the same square footage as the 2nd floor? If so, consider partitioning off a small area (check building codes) for your HVAC system and laundry. Being that the 3rd floor is approximately 20' x 20', I think you would have more flexibility with the duct system, starting from the ground, up.

The utility area could be conditioned, so you could have a high efficiency furnace installed without problem.

I assume the house if being built to high energy standards. Just make sure the HVAC contractors do all of the 'manuals' for heat loss/gain, duct sizing, equipment selection, etc.

My own (non-professional) preference would be for a gas furnace, due to its higher air temperature (compared to heat pump). Duel fuel is an option, however.

Are you able to select your contractors? If so, I can recommend a first class man in the Toms River area.

V

amy

if you are going gas furnace forced air system, I would go with Carrier Infinity with two stg AC and use zoning controls for the two zones you plan and have dealer make at least cursory plumbing for the lower level that you might add at a future date.

It is my understanding that dual fuel(HP) is not advised because of high NJ electric rates.

IMO

Tigerdunes, heat pump is out of the question, electric heaters would kill us every month in the winter.This is why our archetect suggested having hot water baseboard for heat and single zone a/c sytem installed in attic with damper controls rather than having 2 zone forced hot air and a/c. Not sure which way is more economical and the best way to go

amy - heat pump should never be out of the question unless your electricity rates are very high. They sometimes have a bad rap due to bad design.

Do they still do hot water baseboard? I grew up in the NE and everyone had hot water baseboard. They are a bit ugly - IMO. Radiant floors seem to be the way to go if you are looking for "best way to go". The vast majority of us (South of you) do forced air because of the cost and ability to do dual fuel (again for cost). But if I was spending some coin and lived in the north, it would be radiant floor heat. If I wasn't - it would be forced air.

Are you there full time because forced air heats quickly. I'd want some remote controls (internet based) if I wasn't there full time and used hot water heat.

CJ Mechanical of north jersey may be able to help.
973 541 4840

amy
with heat pumps the electric strips are only for
back up heat. the heat is mostly from the condensing
unit reversing action.
a/c with electric strip is expensive to operate.as
all heat comes from elec strip

if you have gas..go with gas, just wated to clarify
heat pump operation for you.

best of luck.

Thanks for the reply, I am familiar with heat pumps and know people with them and the electric bill is outrageus in the winter. I just need to know if we should go with forced hot air or hot water baseboard and central air handler in attic.

amy
first of all, HPs get a bad rap based on the older mdls. But considering your location, nat gas availabilty, and what I believe are high electric rates, I would not consider them.

BTW, what is your electric rate?

you have three issues to consider, thoughtfully analyze, and answer.

AC is what it is.

it's your heating options/selection.

comfort, upfront investment/cost, and operating cost. that would be my approach. you need to sit down with your dealer(s) and discuss.

IMO