Arlington, MA, is located just a short distance from Boston, and it’s known as one of the best places to live in Massachusetts. The owners of this brick Dutch-style colonial home fell in love with how this town perfectly blends an urban destination with a suburban lifestyle.
Like many homes in the area, this house was equipped with a forced hot water heating system. Although this type of heating can be an efficient way to keep your home warm, this forced hot water system was outdated and needed replacement. Instead of replacing the boiler with a newer version, the homeowners opted to use a hybrid heating and cooling system. The new ductless heating and cooling system was more efficient and offered complete comfort control for the home.
The Problem: The old forced hot water system in this brick Dutch colonial home in Arlington, MA, needed replacement for something that could offer both heating and cooling for greater efficiency.
The Solution: N.E.T.R., Inc., installed a floor-mounted, two-zone system with a ducted air handler in the attic to offer heating and cooling throughout the home. The hybrid system is more efficient and gives homeowners complete control over their comfort.
The Design
Because of the layout of this home, the crew at N.E.T.R., Inc., proposed that the homeowners use floor-mounted ductless units instead. The floor-mounted units, pictured here, are designed with a slim-line casing to make it easy for them to fit against the walls.
Additionally, the team needed to install an air handler in the attic, which would be ducted into the home’s system to allow for airflow throughout the house. This unit would provide energy-efficient heating and cooling.
Lastly, an outdoor condenser for the hybrid system would need to be installed outside the home. For this unit, a concrete pad would need to be poured to keep it stable and clear of debris. Additionally, the placement of the outdoor heat pump would need to hide it from the eye so that it wouldn’t impact the home’s curb appeal.
The Installation
Installing the new hybrid system for this home was a relatively straightforward process. First, the team needed to get the ducted air handler in place. This unit was installed in the attic and attached to the ductwork. New refrigerant piping, drains, and more were installed, as well, to get the unit up and running.
Next, both of the ductless floor-mounted air handlers were installed in their respective rooms. One ductless unit was installed in the dining room to provide quiet, efficient heating and cooling for the family while they enjoy dinners together. The second was placed in the family room to help give that space a little extra boost of warmth in the winter or the cooling relief they need in the summer.
Lastly, the outdoor condenser was installed. This high-efficiency heat pump will provide treated air to both indoor ductless air handlers and the ducted air handler in the attic. Once the outdoor heat pump was mounted and connected to all the piping for the indoor units, it was ready to start up.
The Benefits
Now the family can enjoy high-quality, energy-efficient heating and cooling throughout their home. No matter the temperature outside, their home will stay comfortable thanks to the new Mitsubishi heating and cooling system.
The standard Mitsubishi controllers make each ductless unit easy to adjust with the touch of a button. If the dining room gets a little warm in the afternoon because of the sun, they can easily kick on the cooling system and get that burst of fresh air they need.
Additionally, the family applied for a rebate for increasing the energy efficiency of their home and received $10,000 to offset their installation costs. These savings, coupled with the lower energy bills from a high-efficiency hybrid system, will help them to see savings for years to come.
Lastly, because of the high-quality heat pump, this family won’t have to worry about the cold Massachusetts winters. Instead, they can get the heat they need anywhere in the home faster and more efficiently than they could with the old forced hot water heating system.
Is a Ductless System Right for You?
Whether you’re looking to replace an outdated heating or cooling system, add comfort control to an addition, or need to find a more efficient way to keep your home comfortable, N.E.T.R., Inc., can help. We have decades of experience helping families and business owners get the perfect solutions for their spaces.
See if a ductless or hybrid heating and cooling system is right for your home by consulting with a comfort specialist today! Contact us for a quote.
