HVAC in a new home

[peanutman]

Looking to build a new home in the area soon. One builder wants to put in a single, 13 Sear High efficiency heat pump with electric backup (I think Carrier). The single unit could work for up to three different zones. I'm not sure how many tons. The home will have 1300 sq. feet upstairs, 1500 main floor, and 800 basement.

All other builders wanted to put in two different units. One for upstairs and one for the basement and second floor.

My questions:

I would think that one single unit would run all day long. If not running for one part of the house it would be running for another. What do you think?

What would cost less? Something tells me it would be the single unit.

TIA!

[bballfanatic]

Either system is effecient the builder with the single system is zoning the system with zoning dampers which is actually more efficent and the reason is the zoning dampers witll shut off when there is no call for heating or colloing which in turn will bypass the air back to the air handler, the return air is actually cooler in the summer and hotter in the winter which reduces the RLA Locked rotor amps on your compressor with that said a 13seer unit actually becomes a 15seer plus in bypass mode, when all zones call at the same time which is rarely the unit will become a 13 seer. I am sending a PM with some info as well. Good Luck.
EWC Controls

[peanutman]

Thanks bballfanatic!

[thearkade]

If you want a more detailed explaination look @ leitchhvac.com and click on "what's zoning" on the bottom of the page

[peanutman]

Originally Posted by thearkade

If you want a more detailed explaination look @ leitchhvac.com and click on "what's zoning" on the bottom of the page

Thanks for the info.

[greenman]

I have a similar home, maybe slightly larger. I have a heat pump for the top floor. A regular forced air system for the bottom 2 floors. Train brands, builder installed. Works fine.