Best HVAC system for cape cod home

[chillwater]

I am building a 2300 sq ft home and am considering radiant on the 1st floor with a forced air a/c system + hot water coil . Baseboard on the 2nd floor( only 2 beds +1 bath).Undecided on a/c . Any recomendations as to brand and model of an oil fired boiler, type of radiant and a/c. Should I use a heatpump. I am in the northeast part of NJ.

[drcustom]

I am building a 2300 sq ft home and am considering radiant on the 1st floor with a forced air a/c system + hot water coil . Baseboard on the 2nd floor( only 2 beds +1 bath).Undecided on a/c . Any recomendations as to brand and model of an oil fired boiler, type of radiant and a/c. Should I use a heatpump. I am in the northeast part of NJ.

I'm a Heating/AC contractor in Northern NJ and for retrofitting A/C into Cape Cods, cooling the second story from the basement is always a bit problematic--if the ducts were designed long ago around a heating-only system. In your case however, since you can have the duct system built from the ground up, this shouldn't be a problem in the hands of a professional. Have returns installed on both floors, high (and low if you get a heat pump) supply registers throughout, forgo the hydro air if you're having radiant and baseboard installed, and if you do elect to have a heat pump put in to affordably carry you through the milder months, ensure your contractor has experience with duel fuel kits (and with heat pumps in general--they're not too common in our climate) by checking references. Best of luck with your project...