When it comes to choosing mechanical
systems, most builders tend to
stick with what they are accustomed to.
In some cases, however, they may be
overlooking systems that will provide
better comfort and convenience. Here, I
will describe the range of options and a
systematic way to approach them.
To Cool or Not to Cool
The fundamental climate-control
decision in a house is whether or not to
air condition, either now or later. Since
cooling is expensive and energy intensive,
you should always design the house
to minimize the need for cooling.
If you need to cool more than one or
two rooms, it pays to install whole-house
AC, then seal up the house and keep
the cooling