Re: my earlier toot.
Honest question - is a "utility room" some sort of Midwestern thing?
Talking about how to avoid running ducts through attics, it occurred to me that it might be.
Here, if you don't have a basement, there's usually a room with your furnace/air handler, water heater, and washer/dryer. Plumbing often routes there, too.
Sometimes it's less of a room and more of a closet, but we can't just stick the washer and water heater in the garage 'cause they'll freeze.
@TechConnectify in Texas: detached homes will typically have a “mud room” in the back of the home for washer/dryer. Then water heater in a standalone closet somewhere else in the home.
Apartments will typically put the air handler and water heater in the same closet. If there’s enough space then you’ll also have W/D in there too.