New Home in Grimes? Your HVAC Planning Guide

Building in Grimes? Get Your HVAC Right From the Start

Grimes is booming. New neighborhoods are popping up across the city, and if you're building a new home here, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get your HVAC system exactly right. The choices you make now will affect your comfort, energy bills, and maintenance costs for the next 15–20 years.

Sizing Matters — A Lot

An oversized system cycles on and off too frequently, wasting energy and creating hot and cold spots. An undersized system runs constantly without keeping up. Proper sizing requires a Manual J load calculation that accounts for your home's square footage, insulation levels, window placement, and more. Don't let anyone guess — insist on a real calculation.

Consider a Two-Stage or Variable-Speed System

Single-stage systems run at full blast or not at all. Two-stage and variable-speed systems adjust their output to match your home's needs, running at lower capacity most of the time. The result? More consistent temperatures, lower energy bills, quieter operation, and better humidity control.

Plan Your Ductwork Carefully

Ductwork is the circulatory system of your HVAC. Poorly designed ducts create noise, uneven temperatures, and wasted energy. In new construction, you have the luxury of running ducts through conditioned spaces (inside walls and ceilings) rather than unconditioned attics or crawl spaces. Take advantage of this.

Think About Zoning

If your new Grimes home is two stories or has a bonus room above the garage, zoning can make a big difference. A zoned system uses dampers in the ductwork to direct airflow where it's needed, so upstairs bedrooms aren't sweltering while the main floor is comfortable.

Don't Forget Indoor Air Quality

New homes are built tight for energy efficiency, which is great for your utility bills but can trap indoor pollutants. Consider adding a whole-home ventilation system, UV air purifier, or upgraded filtration during construction when it's easiest and most affordable to install.

Trade Allies Heating and Cooling works with builders and homeowners throughout Grimes on new construction HVAC. We'll design a system that keeps your new home comfortable for decades. Call (515) 669-4481 to discuss your project.