Most of what makes a heating and cooling system work well in a new house gets decided on paper, long before anyone turns on a thermostat. Where the equipment sits, where the ducts run are hard to change once the walls are closed.
This is a plain guide to what to settle early if you are building in Rogers County, whether you hired a builder or are managing the build yourself.
When should I plan HVAC for a new build?
Early. Plan it before framing is done, so the duct runs and the space for the equipment are part of the drawings instead of something the crew squeezes in later.
A good time to call is when the floor plan is close to final. At that point a contractor can read the plans, point out where the ducts and equipment will fit, and flag anything that will be hard to reach later. If the walls are already up, the same questions still apply, but the answers are harder to act on.
What do I need to decide before the contractor starts?
Four things shape most of the plan.
- The type of system. A furnace and air conditioner, a ductless mini-split, or a geothermal heat pump each need different space and different planning. Building is a natural time to plan a geothermal heat pump, and our new construction page covers how we work with builders.
- The fuel. Ask whether natural gas reaches your lot, or whether the house will use propane or electricity. Your electric and gas providers also decide which rebate programs you can use later, and our post on HVAC rebates in Claremore explains how to find out who serves you.
- Where the equipment goes. Equipment needs room for a technician to reach it, and filters need to be easy to get to. The U.S. Department of Energy's building science guidance says the filter should sit somewhere the homeowner can reach.
- How the house is laid out. An opened-up floor plan changes what the system has to do. Tell the contractor about any room you plan to add or finish later.
Why do the ducts matter so much in a new house?
Because they are the part you can never easily get back to. ENERGY STAR says a duct system that is well designed and properly sealed can make your home more comfortable, more energy efficient and safer. In a new build, you can have that done before the drywall hides it.
We lay out ductwork as part of a new construction job, working from the plans to the rough-in to start-up. If you want to know what poor ductwork looks like years later, read our post on signs your ductwork is leaking.
What does the process look like from plans to start-up?
The steps on one of our jobs:
- Plans. You or your builder send the plans and we bid the job.
- Layout. We lay out the ductwork and fit the system to the house.
- Rough-in. The duct work goes in while the walls are open.
- Start-up. The system is started up when the house is ready for it.
For comparison, ENERGY STAR's program for certified new homes works the same way at a larger scale: the HVAC design is documented before construction, and after installation the performance of the system is checked against the design. Whether or not your home is going for that certification, the order is a good one to follow: design first, then install, then confirm it works as planned.
What if I am building the house myself?
That is fine. We work with builders and with homeowners building their own home. Bring the plans, the lot location and your questions.
What about additions and remodels?
The same thinking applies on a smaller scale. A new room or an opened-up floor plan changes what your system has to do. We extend the existing ducts when the system has room, or add a ductless mini-split when it does not. See our Mitsubishi ductless page for how that works.
What should I ask an HVAC contractor before I hire one?
- Can you work from my plans, and what do you need from me?
- Where will the equipment and ducts go?
- What fuel and system type fit my lot?
- Who services the system after the install, and how do I reach the office?
- What do I need to keep (model numbers, paperwork) in case I apply for a utility rebate?
We are a family business in Claremore, and we have been at it since 1976. Our service area page lists the towns we cover around Claremore, including Inola and Oologah, and our ductwork page shows what we do on the air distribution side.
Ready when you are
Send a message and we will get back to you, or call to talk it through.
When should I call an HVAC contractor for a new build?
Before framing is done, ideally when the floor plan is close to final. That way the duct runs and equipment space are part of the plan.
Do you work with homeowners who are building their own house?
Yes. We work with builders and homeowners alike. Bring your plans and we will go through them with you.
Can you plan geothermal for a new home?
Yes. Building is a natural time to plan a geothermal heat pump. See our geothermal page for what we do.
Can you add heating and cooling to an addition?
Yes. We extend the existing ducts when the system has room, or add a ductless mini-split.
Do you serve Claremore and the rest of Rogers County?
We serve Claremore, Inola, Oologah and other towns around Northeastern Oklahoma. Our service area page has the list.