01
Ducted Heat Pump Systems
Quiet whole-home comfort with concealed distribution. We design air-handler locations, supply and return paths, filter access, and diffuser placement around the framing and finishes.
New construction design-build
HVAC for New Construction and Custom Homes
Mechanical Design Before the Walls Close.
New construction HVAC fails when equipment is picked from a catalog after the chase sizes are set. 3rdGen designs and installs heating, cooling, and ventilation for Bay Area custom homes and new residential projects—coordinated with your architect and builder from design development through commissioning.
We plan loads, distribution, equipment placement, electrical needs, and zoning before framing, rough-in, and finish conditions are locked in—so the finished house feels intentional, quiet, and comfortable.
Project Inquiry
Inquiry Sent
Thanks — your project details are on their way to 3rdGen. We’ll review them and follow up about the next step.
Strategy
The Mechanical System Has to Be Designed With the House
On a new home, duct routes, equipment rooms, outdoor-unit locations, and electrical service get expensive the moment framing is up. Catalog tonnage does not know your envelope, window package, or ceiling heights.
The right time to settle those decisions is during design development—not after drywall, millwork, and finish lighting are already in the way.
We evaluate the as-designed envelope, architectural priorities, and construction sequence, then develop a system that works with the house being built.
What gets locked early
What we design around it
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Chase sizes and ceiling heights
Duct and equipment space before framing
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Envelope, glass, and insulation
Manual J on the as-designed house
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Electrical service and panel location
Heat-pump loads during design development
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Outdoor unit and mechanical rooms
Siting, access, drainage, and service clearances
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Open ceilings and architectural volumes
Quiet routing that protects the design intent
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Finish and millwork sequence
Rough-in, trim, startup, and commissioning on the build schedule
Systems
Systems Built Into the New Home
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02
Ductless & Mixed Layouts
A strong fit where volumes, glass, or limited chases make full ducting the wrong move. Wall heads, ceiling cassettes, and concealed ducted zones can all sit in one coordinated system.
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03
Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality
New envelopes are tight. We plan ERVs or balanced ventilation, filtration, and kitchen and bath exhaust so the house breathes on purpose—not through leaks.
Explore Ventilation -
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Custom Homes & Architect-Led Builds
We coordinate mechanical design, submittals, and field sequencing with residential GCs and architects so conflicts get solved in the drawings, not in the field.
Process
The Earlier We Are In the Drawings, the Better the House
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01
Review the set and the project goals
We review architectural drawings, envelope targets, comfort goals, mechanical-space options, and the construction schedule with your project team.
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02
Design loads, equipment, and distribution
Manual J/S/D support, equipment selection, duct or ductless layout, outdoor-unit siting, and ventilation are developed against the as-designed house.
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Coordinate before rough-in is locked
We work through framing, structural, electrical, plumbing, millwork, and ceiling conflicts while the drawings can still change.
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Install with the build sequence
Rough-in while the structure is open, then trim, startup, and commissioning as the home approaches completion.
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05
Commission the finished house
We verify operation, controls, airflow, and homeowner handoff so the system is ready from move-in—not a punch-list leftover.
Coordination
Comfort Is in the Coordination
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Mechanical-room planning
Equipment needs clearance, drainage, filtration access, and a path for future service. We help establish that space in the drawings.
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Duct and lineset routing
Routes through joists, soffits, and cavities are coordinated so ceiling heights and architectural volumes stay intact.
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Supply, return, and grille placement
Air needs a path back—not just a supply. We plan locations that support balanced airflow without fighting the room.
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Electrical and condensate
Heat-pump power, disconnects, condensate, and exterior equipment placement are part of design development, not a late add-on.
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Noise and finish quality
Equipment selection, duct sizing, returns, and visible grilles or line-hide are designed for a quiet, finished house.
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Permits, Title 24, and inspections
Load-calc and equipment documentation stay with the mechanical scope and move with the inspection sequence.
Best fit
Bring Us In While the House Is Still on Paper
This page is for ground-up new homes and custom residential projects. Renovations and additions belong on HVAC for Remodels. Accessory dwellings belong on ADU HVAC.
- Custom and architect-led new homes
- Spec or builder-led residential new construction
- All-electric and heat-pump new homes
- Projects still in design development
- Homes where chase space and ceiling heights are not locked
- Teams that want mechanical coordination before rough-in
New homes specified around Mitsubishi equipment are delivered by a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor , with the system designed into the house before walls close.
The 3RDGEN difference
Designed Before It’s Installed
A new HVAC system should be based on what your home actually needs, not simply the size of the equipment that happened to be there before.
01Manual J
Determine what the home needs
We evaluate how your home gains and loses heat so the system matches the house, not a rule of thumb.
02Manual S
Select equipment that matches
We choose heating and cooling equipment that fits those needs without oversizing.
03Manual D
Plan airflow and room comfort
We plan how air moves through the home so rooms feel balanced and comfortable.
04Startup & testing
Install, start up, and test
We install the system, start it up, and verify it is working the way it should before we call the job finished.
You do not need to become an HVAC expert. That is our job. We use the technical work to give you a better finished system.
How We Design SystemsOur Field Projects
Real Bay Area homes, engineered and installed.
How it goes
A clear path from first question to finished system
One team from the first call to the last: a trained, tested system, not a project that gets handed off three times along the way.
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01 Tell us what you’re planning
Three questions in the form, or a phone call. You tell us the house and the goal; we tell you whether we are the right shop for it.
~40 seconds
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02 We review the home and project
A site visit with the person who will design the system: ducts, panel, equipment locations, and the rooms that never feel right.
60-90 min
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03 Receive a recommendation and proposal
A written scope: equipment, capacity, distribution, electrical work, and what is included, in plain language you can compare against other bids.
Within 5 days
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04 Permitting and installation
We handle permits, Title 24, and inspections, and coordinate with your electrician so no one is waiting on anyone.
2-5 days on site
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05 Startup and final testing
We start the system, verify airflow and performance, register the warranty, and walk you through operating it.
Same week
FAQ
Common Questions
Common questions on new-construction HVAC coordination.
When should HVAC be involved in a new build?
During design development — before framing and rough-in paths are fixed. Early input on chases, ceiling heights, equipment rooms, and electrical service avoids expensive rework later.
Do you work with custom home builders and architects?
Yes. Many new construction scopes are builder-led or architect-led. We coordinate mechanical design, submittals, and field sequencing with your project team.
Can you design all-electric heat pump systems for new homes?
Yes. Heat pumps and all-electric mechanical are common on Bay Area new construction. We size systems with Manual J/S/D for the actual envelope, not rule-of-thumb tonnage.
Is this the same as HVAC for a remodel or addition?
No. This page is for ground-up new homes. Renovations, additions, and remodel-driven mechanical work in an existing house belong on HVAC for Remodels.
What about a backyard ADU?
A detached ADU, garage conversion, or JADU belongs on ADU HVAC. This page is for ground-up custom homes — not a backyard unit hanging off the main house.
Do you run Manual J/S/D on new construction?
Yes, as part of the system we install. Loads, equipment selection, and duct design support the house being built. We are not a standalone calc shop for drawings we will not install.
Who handles permits and Title 24?
We do, as part of the mechanical scope. Permits, Title 24, and inspections are coordinated with the build schedule — not left as a surprise at the end.
Do you service what you install?
Startup, handoff, and warranty support on what we design and install, yes. We are not a repair or emergency dispatch company for unrelated breakdowns.
Can a heat pump replace my furnace?
In most homes, yes. Whether your home has existing ducts or not, we’ll help determine the right approach.
Do I need to know whether I want ducted or ductless?
No. We evaluate the home and recommend the approach. You do not need to become an HVAC expert. That is our job.
What happens after I submit the project form?
We review the home and the project, then send a recommendation with scope and pricing: what we recommend, why, and what it includes.
How long does a typical installation take?
Most straightforward replacements take a few days on site. Remodels, ductwork changes, and new construction follow the project schedule. We confirm timing once we review the home and scope.
Project Inquiry
Inquiry Sent
Thanks — your project details are on their way to 3rdGen. We’ll review them and follow up about the next step.