The Evolution Guide: How to Choose the Heating and Cooling System That’s Right for Your Home

Your comfort starts behind the walls!!

Choosing the right HVAC system is one of the biggest behind the scenes decisions you will make during a renovation. It impacts how your home feels in every season, how efficiently it runs, and how well it supports your day to day life. 

This easy, no-stress guide walks you through the key HVAC decisions so you can stop guessing and start choosing what actually works for your home.

Step 1: Choose the Heating Fuel for Your Home

Before selecting equipment, you first need to determine which fuel source your home will use. Your options depend on availability, property layout, and personal preference.

Oil

• Availability: Accessible everywhere. Delivery trucks bring it directly to your home.

• Storage: Above ground oil tank, need to schedule deliveries.

  
  

Natural Gas

• Availability: Only available where the gas utility company, National Grid, has pipes underground outside your home.

• Storage: No storage tank or deliveries, constantly fed by underground pipes, metered & billed monthly.

  
  

Propane

• Availability: Available everywhere, trucks deliver it to your home.

• Storage: Large tanks are buried underground with special permits, need to schedule deliveries.

  
  

Electric

• Availability: Accessible everywhere. Powered directly through your home’s electrical service.

• Storage: No fuel storage or deliveries required. Energy is supplied through the electrical grid and billed monthly through your utility provider.

A Note on Environmental Improvements

The worldwide focus on green initiatives has recently advanced this area of the home as well.   Utility companies have made the fuels "cleaner" reducing the negative environmental impacts and new energy specific building codes have increased the efficiencies of the HVAC equipment.  

Step 2: Choose the Heating and Cooling Setup That’s Right For You

Your home’s layout, existing systems, and renovation plans will influence which setup is best for you.

Option 1: Oil Heat and Separate AC

Many existing houses have this setup. If you are doing a small renovation we can add on to the existing system.

Option 2: Oil Heat and Central AC Together

When installing a new heating & AC system using shared ductwork is most common. The benefit to a hydronic coil is the heat doesn't feel dry. Commonly known as forced hot air.

Option 3: Gas Heat and Separate AC

May existing houses have this setup, if you are doing a small renovation we can add on to the existing system.

Option 4: Gas Heat and Central AC Together

Also known as forced hot air & central air. When you have gas, this option with a furnace is a less expensive way to achieve heat & AC. Some people feel the air is dry, humidifiers can be added.

Other Heating and Cooling Options

Radiant Heating

Installed under the floors. Available in electric or hydronic systems. A network of wires or hot water pipes runs beneath the flooring, providing an even, gentle warmth that radiates upward. This option feels luxurious and eliminates cold floors.

Mini Split Systems

An electric heat and air conditioning unit. A practical and economic way to add heating or air conditioning to specific areas. Great for home offices, gyms, additions, or when your existing HVAC system cannot support another zone.

Ready to Choose Your System?

Your HVAC system impacts comfort, efficiency, and the long term performance of your home. Whether you are upgrading existing equipment or designing a new system from scratch, thoughtful planning makes all the difference.

For more details on renovation planning and the services we offer, visit evolutionli.com.

See you in the next post!

– 

Jennifer DeVito

Owner & Founder, Evolution General Contracting