HVAC

One of the biggest-ticket items on our list is our HVAC (heating/ventilation/air-conditioning) system.  Jeff the Builder and I met with six different HVAC contractors over a period of several weeks this summer, and the estimates that we got were all over the map, ranging from $13,000 to $26,000 (!).  The systems were generally pretty comparable, although there were enough differences that we had to thoroughly evaluate all of them to determine the best deal.  We went about 10% over our allowance for a total of nearly $15,000. It was not the cheapest deal, but it included some really nice equipment and features:

• 18 SEER electric heat pump.  SEER = “seasonal energy efficiency rating”; the higher the number, the more efficient the system, and 18 is about the highest you can generally get.  A typical heat pump from a few years ago was about a 10 SEER; the current federally-mandated minimum is 13.  The rating is linear, so a 16 SEER system uses half the energy of an 8 SEER system.  For those of you who are not familiar with heat pumps, they provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer by exchanging heat with the air.  We looked at geothermal heat pumps, but the energy savings were simply not worth the huge additional costs.
• 2-stage scroll compressor on the outside unit.  This uses the less-powerful (lower energy-usage) stage most of the time, then kicks into the second stage when it really needs to work.
• R410A refrigerant.  This is the latest, most eco-friendly refrigerant; the older ones are being phased out.
• Variable-speed air handler.  This allows the system to blow air at the optimum speed for the conditions, leading to more efficiency and comfort.
• Electronic damper for bringing fresh air into the house.  This is something that used to be regularly overlooked, but as houses have become tighter and less-leaky over the years, the air can get very stale (one of the main causes of sick-building syndrome).
• Electronically-controlled zoning for separate temperature control of 1st and 2nd floors.
• Insulated ductwork throughout the house.
• High-end digital touch-screen programmable thermostats (one for each zone).
• Media air filter.  Instead of the typical, flimsy 1″ thick air filter, this is 5″ thick.  Not only does it do a much better job of filtering, but it lasts 6-12 months between replacements (it also costs $100 a pop).
• Ultraviolet germicidal light.  Kills whatever viruses, bacteria, and mold that might be floating around the ductwork.

Zoning and external ventilation controls

They even threw in a 10-year warranty, parts and labor.