New Installation
The High Mark Heating & Cooling advantage to a new HVAC system installation is our 5-step process:
2. Heating & Cooling Load
3. Duct Design
4. We Work With Your Builder
5. We Are On the Job from Start to Start Up
Read below to learn more about the benefits of our new installation process.
New Construction
What an exciting time, you’ve decided to build and are looking for options on installing the right HVAC system for your needs and usage requirements. Whether you are in North Idaho full time or building a vacation home, factors that our professionals take into consideration while designing which system is best for you include things such as…orientation of windows, number of sliding glass doors, skylights, insulation, roof pitch, the number and type of floors in your home, just to name a few. Don’t cut corners on one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home and remember bigger isn’t always better.
We Work With Your Architect
Location, size, and type of your HVAC system is integral in not only the comfort of your family but the operational efficiency of your heating and cooling system(s). We work with numerous architects, building contractors, and DIY home remodelers to maximize not only your space but your comfort and your budget. We are happy to work with your architect to communicate your HVAC system specifications and requirements to get them included early on in the planning process. You know that old saying…”Measure twice, cut once”.
Heating & Cooling Load
With our expertise and software program at High Mark Heating & Cooling you can expect a comprehensive Heating & Cooling Load analysis. The heating load is the amount of heat energy that would need to be added to a space to maintain the temperature in an acceptable range. The cooling load is the amount of heat energy that would need to be removed from a space to maintain the temperature in an acceptable range. The heating and cooling loads, or “thermal loads”, take into account:
• the dwelling’s construction and insulation; including floors, walls, ceilings and roof; and
• the dwelling’s glazing and skylights; based on size, performance, shading and overshadowing.
Lower thermal loads indicate that, relatively, the dwelling will require less heating and cooling to maintain comfortable conditions. Lower thermal loads do not necessarily correspond to lower electricity usage.
In practice, the heating and cooling loads may be handled by heating or air-conditioning equipment. The efficiency of the equipment, fuel type, and climate zone are also contributing factors that need to be considered. Lower loads will improve your Energy score. High Mark Heating & Cooling sets maximum heating loads and cooling loads separately, meaning that good performance in heating or cooling alone will not be undermined by poor performance in the other.
Duct Design
If you take a fan out into your yard on a calm day and turn it on, you’ll get its maximum air flow. If you take that same fan and blow the air into a cardboard tube, it has to work against the pressure that builds up in that space. The more you reduce the size of that tube or make it longer or turn the air with it, the more static pressure builds up. And the more the air flow is reduced. That’s the basic principle you have to work with in duct design.
Designing a duct system is important but there are a few critical steps that come first. Number one is the heating and cooling load calculation. You’ve got to know how much heating and cooling you need for each room (in BTU/hr). Then those BTU per hour requirements immediately translate to room-by-room air flow requirements in cubic feet per minute (cfm). At High Mark Heating & Cooling it’s done automatically in the software we use (RightSuite Universal by WrightSoft). Once you know the BTU/hr and cfm numbers for the building, you need to select the right equipment. There’s more to it than just finding a piece of equipment that meets the total heating and cooling loads for the home. You’ve got to make sure you adjust for the indoor and outdoor design conditions of the home and have the manufacturer’s performance data tables to get it right. Now we’re ready to start designing your duct system.
We Work With Your Building Contractor
We will work directly with your building contractor throughout the entire process and construction of your North Idaho home. From ordering of the equipment, to delivery, to set up, installation, and start up. All the while making sure (together) we are in code compliance, have the proper permits and city or state required inspections. If you have any questions about this process contact your builder or us directly as it relates to your heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or fireplace systems!
Installation & Start Up Process
When the time comes for an HVAC system installation in your North Idaho home, it is important that the installation team completes all essential activity properly. At High Mark Heating & Cooling, we use an HVAC installation checklist so that our customers can rest assured that we have taken care of every detail. We diligently observe the checklist before, during, and after installation so no area is overlooked and you have a successful start up of your new system(s).
Each Part Affects the Whole
Proper installation can make a huge difference in comfort and energy savings. It is also important to the life of your system. The internal components of a unit that is not secure can experience more wear and tear. The outdoor unit can also become easily dislodged in a storm. The following are other factors that must be considered during installation:
Wiring
• All connections must be inspected
• Power cords must be free of damage
• If it’s an older home make sure that wiring can support the electrical needs of the new system
Drip Pans
• Drip pans must be clean and free of cracks and rust
• There should be no standing water, odors or leaks
• The drain must be clear and free of fungi
Fan Chambers
• This area should also be clean and free of dust or dirt
• The fan motor must be lubricated
• The fan belt must have the right tension
Ductwork
• The ductwork should be clean and free of obstructions
• There should be no gaps, cracks, or leaks
• Air distribution must be balanced
• Supply and return vents should be open and clean
Our technicians will also check for proper installation of the filter, the thermostat(s), and make sure there are no refrigerant or fuel leaks. All parts of the system must be checked, or the efficiency and lifespan of the new installation may be affected.
Trust the Experts at High Mark Heating & Cooling
With our experience, quality products, knowledge, and by following a checklist during every furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner installation, we can guarantee that your new system will operate at its peak level for your comfort and safety. For more information about a new HVAC installation or to go over any item on our checklist, contact us today!
Satisfaction Guarantee
Sandpoint and it’s surrounding communities in Bonner County are your home and our home. Like family, we value our relationships and your trust. We stand behind our work and the factory warranties. We will always try to achieve your 100% satisfaction with our work – Whatever it takes!