A practical sequence
Plan the decisions before they become delays.
Questions to ask about the building enclosure, mechanical design, ventilation and documented specifications before building a custom home.
Discuss the home as a connected system
The Department of Energy describes a whole-house approach: design decisions should consider how the parts of a home work together. Bring comfort priorities into the plan review rather than leaving them to equipment selection at the end.
Ask for specific enclosure details
Discuss insulation, air sealing, window specifications, shading and the transitions between assemblies. Ask what drawings and specifications will define those details for your project. A product label on one component does not establish the performance of the finished home.
- Insulation locations and specifications
- Air-sealing details
- Window and shading choices
- Coordination of penetrations and transitions
Coordinate mechanical and ventilation decisions
Ask the design and mechanical team how the equipment, distribution, controls and ventilation will be selected for the proposed home. Discuss room-use patterns and comfort concerns. Confirm which calculations, installation checks and commissioning activities belong in the agreed scope.
Separate smart features from documented performance
A connected thermostat, lighting control or other smart feature should solve a specific household need. Ask how it will be operated and maintained. Avoid treating a list of devices as a guarantee of lower bills or a substitute for sound building details.
Keep claims tied to your written scope
If a certification, test result or performance target is important, ask whether it is included and how it will be documented. GSP does not claim a certification or a particular energy-saving percentage through this guide. Review actual specifications and any test results for the specific home.