Like good children in Victorian novels, home cooling systems should be seen and not heard. Nor should your system compete with your home’s architecture. Staying cool, calm and collected in a luxury home involves both the eye and the ear.
When you’re ‘in the zone’
We aren’t talking about working out at the gym — these zones are the areas in your home where you spend most of your time. Large homes are built with zoned systems that heat or cool only certain areas of the house when they are in use. This saves energy and makes more sense for the homeowner, even if their pockets are deep.
According to Segal & Morel, a third generation building company based in New Jersey, modern technology has moved traditional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) forward, resulting in more efficiency as well as being environmentally friendly. The builders estimate that more than 50% of total energy use in a home is from the HVAC system, whichever season we’re in.
Most new homes feature forced air, and a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) can exchange indoor air for fresh air from the outside while retaining the energy in the expelled air.
Just part of the picture
The HVAC system you choose is only as good as the overall quality of your home’s construction. Premium insulation is one of the important factors in home construction, and insulated windows can protect against both heat and cold from the outside. The ductwork for top-of-the-line homes is typically seamless and can be installed in the ceiling. This preserves the architectural integrity of the room, whether there’s crown molding or decoration.
Smart thermostats work with zoned controls to manage rooms independently. This helps create a balance of comfort throughout the home. Larger houses may have several thermostats, allowing for preset temperatures that work automatically when parts of the home aren’t lived in for various amounts of time. There also are benefits that enhance air quality, reducing allergens and supporting a healthier living environment.
Some areas of the house may need their own temperature controls. Wine rooms and cellars, as well as home gyms or an indoor pool, need to maintain certain humidity and temperature controls.
