Don't Plan Your New Home Construction Without Reading This First

Spring is the season for new home construction, especially here in the far north area where our building-friendly warm season is all too short and sweet.

This spring feels especially urgent. Many individuals and families have spent the past pandemic year in quarantine, inside their homes, and are eager for a fresh start in a new space.

Are you planning new home construction? Do you know the easiest way to ruin your otherwise perfectly planned dream home project?

Read on to find out!

What Not To Do When Developing New Home Construction Plans

Over the decades, our expert service technicians at Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric  have come to reliably dread a particular type of service call.

This is the type of service call where a proud new construction homeowner calls to ask why their new home always seems to be too hot, too cold, too humid, too dry or simply running out of hot water too fast every morning.

The reason is nearly always the same.

The homeowner installed the wrong appliances for the size and capacity of their new home space.

When this happens, one of two scenarios tends to be the cause.

Either the homeowner chose the equipment on their own without guidance or their contractor selected the appliances without consulting them about their usage patterns and needs.

In either case, the uncomfortable and unhappy homeowner is learning too late that what they bought and what they need are not a match.

They then have to decide whether to try to live with what they have, retrofit or add on to the equipment somehow or chunk it and do an expensive early upgrade.

We hate to see this happen! So if you are still in the planning or even in the construction stages of a new construction home, keep reading.

Choosing the Right Size and Capacity HVAC For New Home Construction

When you launch into your spring new home build, it’s (hopefully) going to be warm out!Spring is one of the loveliest seasons of the year to enjoy the indoor-outdoor lifestyle.

So you won't tend to notice as much if your new HVAC system is not pulling its weight to heat or cool your space.

This won't happen until summer kicks in later this year and then the long cold fall and winter season sets in.

Selecting the HVAC system is complicated - don't let anyone (or anything you read online) try to convince you otherwise!

Here are just a few of the factors that influence which system is the perfect fit for your space:

• Ducted or ductless air conditioning and heating.

• Hydronic or radiant (heat).

• Fuel type (electric, gas, propane, solar/geothermal, combo, et al).

• MERV rating (so important for indoor air quality).

• Energy Star rating (so important for energy efficiency and lower power bills).

• Add-ons like ultraviolet air purification or HEPA filtration.

• Load capacity (based on home size and configuration as well as use patterns).

As you can see, it is usually best to have an experienced and knowledgeable expert guide you to evaluate your options for this expensive and complicated decision.

At Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric, our expert HVAC technicians can help you choose the right equipment for your home. 

Choosing the Right Size and Capacity Plumbing System For New Home Construction

Routing the pipes for plumbing is one of those decisions that must be made early on in any new construction project.

Luckily, you can wait to decide about the above-ground components that will be using the pipe infrastructure.

And here is where you want to choose carefully. The components you select will make the difference between feeling at home and at ease in your new space or constantly worrying about every knock, bang and drip.

Depending on your preferences and local options, you may need to select each of the following plumbing components:

• Hot water heater (tank or tankless) or hot water boiler.
• Toilets, washer/dryer, fixtures and faucets (regular or low flow).
• Sewage pump.
• Septic system.
• Sump pump and backup sump pump (and alarms for each).
• Rainwater/grey water recovery.
• Drinking water filtration and/or ultraviolet water purification.
• Drain water heat recovery system.

Because the list is so lengthy for many new construction homeowners, it is generally easiest to sit down with an experienced plumbing expert to review your options based on your budget, use patterns and fuel type.

Choosing the Right Size and Capacity Electrical System For New Home Construction

Electricity has become sufficiently expensive that you really want to choose appliances and components that can help you control costs. This is especially true in the long cold winter season.

Electrical wiring is never a do-it-yourself project - there is simply too much that could potentially go wrong.

For your safety and the safety of your new construction home investment, make sure your electrical system and components are installed properly and to code by an experienced electrician.

This list represents the major considerations to think through when planning out your new home's electrical system:

• Location of electrical panel and circuit breaker box.
• Electrical panels should have a certain number of empty areas for future expansion.
• Number and location of electrical outlets throughout your home and garage.
• Proper placement of electrical outlets to support major appliances.
• Appropriately rated outlets for use around water (such as bathrooms).
• "Smart" home integration, including home security system.
• Outdoor electricity needs, including security lighting.
• Installation of emergency backup generator in case of power loss.

Building a New Home? Muskoka Gravenhurst Plumbing, Heating and Electric Can Help

Our friendly and knowledgeable Gravenhurst service technicians can provide guidance and direction to choose the right size and capacity equipment and appliances for any size new home construction.

We now offer safe contactless service, payment and invoicing options in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. Contact us online or give us a call at 877-885-3403.

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