The hyper heat heat pump can make sense to cool an area with difficult access for ducts. Does the basement fit that description? It will cost you more to heat it with a heat pump than with natural gas. What are the aims of zoning, saving energy or comfort? If the former, you are probably barking up the wrong tree. If you have a well-sealed, well-insulated home, your heat transfer rates between rooms/floors will be much faster than out of the structure. Zoning can be difficult to accomplish, but not impossible. With old-school high mass boilers, it was not so difficult, but a modern, low-mass boiler, if sized to heat a large area, will be shutting off frequently. The same may be true for furnaces, but I am not as familiar with that issue. I've seen you write boilers and furnaces, which are you looking for? You can do forced air heat with hydro coils powered by a boiler, or with a furnace. With a hydro coil, you might be able to heat the bonus room but you'd still need a way to cool it. Cost calculations would tell you if it is worth it to install separate cooling and heating systems there. What are you planning on doing in the basement? Is is going to be just one, open area? I'd consider hiring an energy rater to help you plan and set milestones for the builder. They can help you choose your mechanical systems appropriately. They can do blower door tests to make sure that the house is air-sealed and insulated properly. Where are you located? It can make a big difference in figuring out what kinds of equipment to install if you have to heat a lot vs. cool a lot or both. Humidity is an issue too.

Nidnay, it's kind of rough being so color sensitive. life would be so much easier if I didn't care (but then again, maybe I wouldn't be a graphic designer). my skylights are in the shade all day long (they're on the lower level of a split level house), so that's definitely contributing to the problem. I spent weeks trying to figure out what paint colors to choose (two tone: BM Navajo White and a custom shade of blush - which still look drab in here). I'm now spending hours trying to figure out how I can somehow refract more sunlight into those skylights. my inner inventor / engineer is coming out strong. it's annoying how much time I'm obsessing over it, but I can't let it go! solving design problems is my thing. yeesh. I think I have a problem. so of course all this is going to lead to overthinking the new windows I'm getting, LOL.

Go here: https://www.energystar.gov/products/building_products/residential_windows_doors_and_skylights Click 'Buying Guidance'. Click 'Determine your Energy Star Climate Zone'. Enter your state and zip code. Your Energy Star climate zone, U-factor, and SHGC will appear for windows and doors. Make sure that the windows and doors you select meet the Energy Star criteria. You can search for windows and doors in your climate zone here (http://essearch.nfrc.org/) but it gets complicated fast. It's best to decide what types of windows and doors you want and contact local resellers. Example manufacturers and products: Marvin Essential Provia

Another related question: Is it possible to acquire this same product on my own and negotiate maybe lower labor costs with another vendor? For example, we are telling our community they must use this vendor. Question: Is it possible that another window installer could procure the identical windows, in all dimensions and specifications, form the manufacturer? And, if so, is it possible that the labor costs could be different than what has been quoted? I am just trying to make sure we are able to answer all of the questions and determine if this particular window installer has exclusivity over this product.