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HVAC zone control

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How to Add HVAC Zone Control without Adding Ducts

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HVAC zone control

One of the highlights of living in the greater Boston and Central Massachusetts area is the richness of old, historic homes. Some date back to the 1800s and early 1900s with a handful going back as far as the 1600s! From antique fireplaces to original windows and doors, these homes offer a look into American history along with an overload of style and charm.

Historical Diversity Has Its Challenges

While homeowners and guests love the architectural history and diversity, it comes with a few challenges. One of the main dilemmas is keeping these homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer without disrupting the architecture or spending a fortune on energy bills.

Some homes have been retrofitted with central heating and cooling, but this is not a solution that many homeowners can afford. Installing central HVAC systems also means installing the ductwork to carry the heated and cooled air around the home. This can mean a loss of closet space and ceiling height. Plus, some homeowners do not want to detract from the original features of the home, and that’s hard to avoid when installing a network of ducts throughout the home.

Inefficient Heating and Cooling

Another common problem that Massachusetts homeowners face is inefficient heating and cooling in the home. When the furnace or air conditioner is running, the entire house is being heated or cooled–even if you’re only spending time in certain areas of the home at certain times. For example, if all the bedrooms are in one area upstairs, they are probably spending the majority of the day empty. On the other hand, the kitchen and living room downstairs are busy all day long, but mainly empty overnight.

If the entire family is upstairs sleeping, is there any need to keep the kitchen cozy at 2:00 in the morning? Having HVAC zone control–or the ability to control the temperature in a room or on a floor of the home–is far more efficient than throwing away money by heating and cooling rooms and floors that aren’t in use.

Introducing the Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless mini-spit is an independent heating and cooling solution made up of an outdoor condensing unit and indoor air-handling units. These separate pieces are connected with a tube, and each indoor unit has its own associated thermostat. The outdoor unit can be connected to as many as four indoor units to create a customized HVAC zone control solution for your home.

Here are just a few reasons to choose a ductless mini-split system:

  1. Better HVAC Zone Control. Comfortably heating and cooling individual rooms in a home is highly effective with a mini-split system. Each air-handling unit is adjusted to operate only in the rooms you choose, when you choose.
  2. Flexible Placement. The air-handling units can be mounted on a wall, installed into a drop ceiling, or even suspended from the ceiling. Because each unit does not have to be connected to a central duct network, you have more control over the placement so you can maintain the architectural integrity of your spaces.
  3. Easy Installation. Unlike the major project of installing ductwork or the destruction of through-the-wall units, only a three-inch hole is necessary for the piping to the indoor unit. In most cases, your mini-split system can be up and running in just one day.
  4. Better Energy Efficiency. As air makes its way through a network of ducts, it will gain or lose heat, causing the furnace or air conditioner to work harder. A mini-split directs heated and cooled air directly into the room for maximum efficiency.

According to the Department of Energy, “Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic.”

Free Consultation

To learn more about gaining better energy efficiency and HVAC zone control with a ductless mini-split system, request your free consultation today!
 
ductless mini splits