Turning Up the Heat While Keeping Your Cool!

Keith Sawlor, April 10, 2012 | Posted in Plan; Tagged Energy Efficiency, Heating and Cooling Systems

A major topic of discussion for any custom new home is the Heating System. It is one of the most important components of your home and needs to be researched and discussed well before it is time to install.

The first step is to ensure that you have a properly constructed and insulated home. It is critical to the satisfactory performance of your Heating System. It will allow your system to be efficient and you will be able to enjoy all areas of your home at all times. Our homes are built Certified R-2000, which I believe is the highest standard of construction available today. Each Certified R-2000 home is automatically enrolled in the Energuide Program and will come with both a R-2000 Certificate and an Energuide Rating, which is typically 84-88.

Each Heating (and Cooling) system has advantages and disadvantages. As your Builder I will discuss all of them with you and allow you to decide which system will work best for you. The options are many and the most common systems we install are some type of In-floor Heating, or a Heat Pump that offers both heating and cooling. Some clients chose to install a combination of both.

The components of any Heating System are not created equally and there are options to be more efficient and quieter and perform more functions. Most of these options cost a little more than the base model but often are not a lot more. If you are well informed you can make the right choice for your new home. If you not, you could make a choice based solely on price, which is almost always not the right choice!  Our recommended procedure is to ensure that after the general type of system is chosen we will set up a meeting with the company that will be completing the installation. This Expert will carefully explain the various types of equipment and options available to you and you will know that you are making the right choice for your Family.

When you move into your Custom New Home it will be equipped with a highly efficient system that was properly selected and installed, has the correct options, features brand name products, and will offer many years of trouble free comfort.  

Keith Sawlor

Keith Sawlor is the second generation Owner of Sawlor Built Homes. With more than 35 years experience building custom homes in Nova Scotia, Keith has built a team that mirrors his professional knowledge and values.

Keith is a Certified Residential Builder who is also certified with many leading industry organizations. He is a Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) Certified Builder, a Net Zero Energy (NZE) Certified Builder, a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) R-2000 Certified Builder, and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS).

Keith is a Past Board Member of the Atlantic Home Warranty Program as well as the Canadian Home Builders' Association Nova Scotia. He is involved in many other industry programs and associations, such as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association National and Better Business Bureau.