Problem: Homeowners in a split-level home that was constructed in the ‘70s with forced-air HVAC always had problems where some rooms would be comfortable but others were too cold. If they adjusted the heat to get those rooms comfortable, the other rooms got way too hot.
Solution: Installing a multi-zone ductless-mini split system solved the problem, making everyone comfortable, no matter the season.
People who live in split-level homes are familiar with this problem: Some rooms are comfortable, but others end up being too hot or too cold. It’s never just right.
In part, this is because the airflow is uneven. So, when you try to adjust the temperature to make sure the bedrooms are comfortable, the main living areas turn into saunas.
First floors always end up cold and clammy, and without adequate ventilation and humidity control, they can be a breeding ground for mold.
For this home in Kingston, PA, the main family-gathering area was on the lower level, and it always felt cold and damp, even in the summer.
The family was always wrestling with a dehumidifier, but the area still seemed clammy.
Meanwhile, the main level with the kitchen and dining area were mostly comfortable, but then the bedrooms would end up being chilly and the kids kept begging Mom & Dad for space heaters, but those can be fire hazards.
The homeowners gave us a call, after hearing about ductless mini splits and how well they work in split-level ranchers. Now, they wanted to learn more about how the new Carrier heat pump mini-split systems could solve their long-standing frustrations.
In this case study, we’ll look to explore:
- What Are Mini-Splits?
- How to Fix Problems With Hot And Cold Rooms
- More Benefits Of Mini Split Heating And Cooling
- Ductless Mini Split Installation In Kingston, PA
And, if you want to learn how they can solve your home’s unique comfort problems, click below for your free consultation.
What Are Mini-Splits?
These systems are “split” between indoor and outdoor units that don’t look as if they’re connected at all. Outside you have the heat pump, which is responsible for moving heat into your home in the winter and out of it in the summer.
In that way, it works similar to the standard AC condenser units you see outside houses. Except, it also works in “reverse,” bringing warmth into the house in the winter.
Inside, you’ll see air handlers in one or more rooms. Each one sucks in the air in the room, warms or cools it, and then recirculates it. That’s instead of sending the air to your furnace and central air in the basement, and then all the way back up.
State-of-the-art sensors on each indoor unit monitor both the temperature and humidity in the room and adjust as needed. The system then distributes the heated or cooled air evenly throughout a room.
This eliminates the hot or cold spots you can get with baseboard heating or even with a traditional forced hot air system.
But, how do the two work together? Simple: Flexible piping with refrigerant liquid running in a closed loop between the indoor and outdoor units.
Fixing Hot and Cold Rooms
Carrier ductless heating and cooling systems are great because they can be customized. One outdoor heat pump can run up to nine indoor handlers. That means our homeowners can have up to nine zones of customized comfort in their house.
However, most homes don’t need that many. Homes like this split level in Kingston, PA usually only require four or five zones to make their homes more comfortable than ever.
Here, we added a zone in the lower level family room, solving the humidity problem while adding a touch of warmth or cooling as needed, making this one of the favorite rooms in the house!
In addition, the bedrooms that were located above the garage were often too cold in the winter and way too hot in the summer.
So, adding air handlers to these rooms meant that each person can adjust the heat to their own comfort level without affecting the temperature in the rest of the house.
This keeps everyone comfortable and happy no matter what the weather’s doing outside.
Rebates Make Comfort Options Affordable
Best of all, these mini-split systems are so energy efficient, they qualify for rebates from PSE&G. That makes installing a new Carrier mini split heat pump system even more affordable.
Carrier also has a variety of rebates available, so be sure to check with our technicians to make sure you get every rebate available.
With the flexibility of Carrier ductless heat pumps and mini splits, the cost of a new system can vary, depending on how many zones of comfort you need in your home.
For this home in Kingston, the layout of the home meant that a single heat pump system with an air handler in the family room and each bedroom would ensure comfort 24/7, 365 days a year.
The homeowners were thrilled with the results, and they have been particularly happy this spring where there is snow one day, warmer weather a few days later, and then another cold spell.
Being able to customize their comfort in minutes with the remote control lets the family stay comfortable- no matter how crazy the weather is outside.
Ductless Mini Split Installation In Kingston, PA
Are you interested in learning more about how a mini-split installation can transform and upgrade the comfort in your Kingston, PA home, or anywhere in NEPA? Click below to schedule our free consultation.