One of the most common problems people have in their homes in the winter is uneven heating throughout the home. Certain rooms may be too cold, while others are too hot. Homeowners often have to turn the heat up for the whole house with central heat and air units in order to find relief in the coldest rooms. This is a problem we come across often, and this was the case with this beautiful brick home.

The Ideal Air Conditioning Solution for a Massachusetts Home

One of N.E.T.R Inc.'s comfort consultant specialists went out to check out the setup of the home.

The homeowner decided to have N.E.T.R Inc. look at the situation because of our level of experience with unique brick homes. Russell, the project manager, explained that having a room or two not getting the proper heat was a common problem, and easy to fix. He decided to install a Mitsubishi ductless floor mount unit so there will be a limited amount of refrigeration piping exposed on the outside. He also will be using brown lining to hide the piping so it best matches the brick.

Any business owner you talk to will tell you how much they value their customer's satisfaction, but sometimes it is tough to tell how pleased a customer is with the work they've had done. 

One way of knowing our customers are happy is when they are telling their friends about us! This lets us know that the customer is not only satisfied, but they trust us to handle the comfort of their friends and family. 

A multi-zone ductless solution for this spacious home.

Based on their need to comfort different parts of the home, Russell Dodd, NETR comfort specialist, decided to recommend a large BTU capacity unit, so that they can add more ductless units next year if they like, without having to add an additional condenser. 

The multi-zone system installed will allow the homeowners to heat and cool the parts of the house they are using, without having to spend money on energy bills heating and cooling the unused parts of the house. This is a common goal of ductless heating and air conditioning, and it always works well, while saving the homeowners money in the long run. 

An old home can bring a wealth of charm and a sense of history to its owners, but when it's time to refurbish or update a home like this, multiple problems, some often hidden by decades of life, can lurk in the unlikeliest of places.

This is especially true of an HVAC upgrade.

So, when our homeowners decided to upgrade their oil heating system and add air conditioning to their home in Andover, Massachusetts, they were faced with myriad choices. 

Problem: Upgrade the oil heating system and add air conditioning to a 100-year-old home.  

Solution: Based on the data, the homeowners chose two Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating mini split heat pump systems, which met all their objectives.

RESULT:
In the first 2 months this family found 51% savings in heating costs.  
""We're very pleased with the work that...N.E.T.R. did at our house. We would gladly recommend N.E.T.R.""

Laying the Groundwork

For their Andover property, the homeowners worked closely with Mike Herrick, sales representative at N.E.T.R. Inc., to explore several different solutions for the HVAC installation.

Based on that data, they chose two Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating heat pump systems.

After they decided on a ducted system for their home, the family carefully reviewed the layout with Mike and Larry Lessard, another specialist at N.E.T.R. Inc., to ensure that the air handlers in the basement could accommodate the limited ceiling of the space.

The Mitsubishi ductless mini split system easily fit the low-profile specifications of the home and was quiet, both on startup and during operation.

The family also wanted to ensure that the ambient noise of the outside units wouldn't disturb their neighbors, and to their surprise, the new system produced only a very low hum, even if they stood right next to the Mitsubishi AC units.

Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating Heat Pump System

Four Outdoor Units: Model PUZHA-36NHA-4
Two Ducted Air Handlers: Model PEAD-36AA4
Two Digital Thermostats: Model MHK-1

Fitting In 

It was also important that the diffusers blended well with the interior of the home. With the guidance from Mike Herrick and other experts at N.E.T.R. Inc., the family chose a ducted system to avoid having indoor AC units hanging on the walls.

The N.E.T.R. Inc. crew carefully cut through plaster and lathe ceilings in the upper floor and original hardwoods in the first floor.

Registers were then placed for optimum air flow in each space. As each hole was cut, care was taken not to crack plaster or scratch the floors, and all dust and debris was cleaned as each hole was being cut. 

"We would gladly recommend N.E.T.R. to friends and family and discuss our experience with any of their future clients."

A Good Investment

Now that the new HVAC system is up and running, the family can measure their savings compared to their old oil heating system.

"For the 2 months since we've had the system, our heating cost is $706.00, representing a 51% savings," our homeowners told us. "These numbers are based on the average fuel usage for December of 2012 and January of 2013, combined with the cost of fuel oil at that time. I'm keeping track of the numbers for the year and will be able to compare a year's worth of heating savings, as well as the cost of a new air conditioner's power usage. We're very pleased with the work that Mike Herrick and his team at N.E.T.R. Inc. did at our house. We would gladly recommend N.E.T.R. Inc. to friends and family and discuss our experience with any of their future clients."

Problem: Upgrade the oil heating system and add air conditioning to a 100-year-old home.  

Solution: Based on the data, the homeowners chose two Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating mini split heat pump systems, which met all their objectives.

Not every call we receive is because something is broken. Maybe a little adjustment is needed, or the homeowner wants to try something new. That was the case here in this beautiful home. The homeowner had been using oil heat for this large home, and wanted to reduce the use of oil. That's where NETR comes in...

Problem: Using too much oil to heat home. Wanted to try something different.  

Solution: Installed 2 heat pumps, with zoned air conditioning, so that they could heat the rooms that were being used. 

The ideal air conditioning solution for a Massachusetts Home

One of NETR's comfort consultant specialist, went out to help the homeowner find the right solution. 

The home owner decided to have 2 heat pumps installed. For him he saw the benefit to be using less or no oil to heat his home. As you can see it’s a large home so he will only condition the rooms/zones he is using.

This gives him complete control of the home, and will help to reduce energy costs. 

We did an installation on Babcock Street in Brookline in a beautiful condo this July. In these homes, the floor you're on has a lot to do with the cost of the job.

Problem: Unsightly, inefficient, noisy window AC units were installed in holes in the wall, detracting from the home's overall aesthetic and racking up huge electric bills.

Solution: A three-zone Mitsubishi ductless mini-split system powered by one outdoor condenser and three wall-mounted units was installed for premium cooling throughout the home.

A Total Comfort Solution for This Brookline Condo

The solution: complete temperature control in every corner of this condo using a multi-zoned Mitsubishi ductless HVAC system.

Based on the homeowner's wish to have absolute control over the temperature in every part of this condo, we recommended a three head multi-zone solution from Mitsubishi.

The great part about a job like this is that we can run all three heads off the same outdoor unit, which keeps the costs of installation lower.

In this situation we were able to put condenser on the back patio and hide the line in a piece of molding that blends right in with the building's facade. The result was a seamless install that provides quality heating and cooling all year long.

The renaissance of Somerville has transformed many of this neighborhood's large homes into upscale condos, creating problems and complications for many original home comfort systems.

Unfortunately, due to the limitations of central heating and cooling units, the top floors of many of these conversions were hard to cool and heat even back when the original system was firing on all cylinders.

A Ductless Solution for This Split-Level Somerville Home

Based on the homeowner's need to air condition a specific zone in the house, Russell from N.E.T.R. decided that a single ductless unit in the kitchen area could heat and cool the condo.

The homeowner had dealt with other contractors before but decided to go with N.E.T.R. for this job because of our expertise in working in multi-level homes. Ductless heating and cooling is a great solution for homeowners who want to be able to address the comfort needs of problem areas of a home.

This customer will be pleasantly surprised this fall when they switch this unit to Hyper Heat. We bet they may get through most of the winter without using their primary heat source.

When this Arlington, Massachusetts condo owner moved into his new place, he knew there were a lot of changes he wanted to make to his new home.  These changes included evaluating the long-term viability of the heating and air conditioning systems. After finding that this home used an older, inefficient, oil boiler he weighed his options and discovered Hyper Heat.  This ductless technology is efficient and functions as a heating and cooling system.

Problem: First, this home was not equipped with an air conditioning system and required the seasonal installation of window air conditioners. Second, the old oil boiler was inefficient and resulted in high oil usage in winter.

Based on this homeowner's need to heat and cool every room in their new condo, NETR Home Comfort Consultant, Russell Dodd, recommended a Mitsubishi ductless, multi-zone, heat and AC unit.

The owner was deeply involved the inspection and research that went into the preparations.  After weighing the evidence, he agreed with Russell's recommendation. He was especially happy that this solution includes air conditioning, enabling him to enjoy his investment year-round!

Problem: First, this home was not equipped with an air conditioning system and required the seasonal installation of window air conditioners. Second, the old oil boiler was inefficient and resulted in high oil usage in winter.

Solution:  A Mitsubishi ductless mini split unit with Hyper Heat designed to provide flawless comfort in the winter and doubles as a world-class air conditioner in summer, dramatically lowering energy usage and cost.

One of the most common issues we hear about is the uneven distribution of hot and cold air in various homes. That’s why when we visited Shaina in her Brighton home, we already knew this might be the case.

NETR's home comfort specialist met with Shaina and sure enough, she had hot and cold spots that severely limited her family's use of certain rooms during the peak of summer and winter, and she knew she was driving up her energy bill paying for heating and air conditioning to compensate for this.

How to Save on Your Ductless Heating and Cooling Units

Shaina is going to save a lot of money on energy bills during the winter and summer of this year. She primarily purchased this unit for heating, but is excited to use the cooling feature as well.

Instead of over-running her current equipment to compensate for the rooms that aren't the right temperature, now she can efficiently control the comfort in her house, while saving money on her bills!

Click here to read about a job we did in Andover where the homeowners saved $700 in the first couple of cold months of the season.

Increasing the Value of This Home

In choosing this type of mini split HVAC system, the owner has protected her home and increased her long-term property value by going with some of the best heating and cooling technology available to the residential market.

The warranty on all qualifying systems installed after April 1, 2015 has recently been extended to 12 years! Click here to see the details. 

How This Brighton, MA Home Benefited from our Multi-Zone Mini Split Solution

Based on the homeowner's need to heat and cool the problem rooms, Our comfort specialist recommended a ductless air conditioner and heater system with two indoor units and a condenser sized just large enough to accommodate a third indoor unit when the homeowner is ready.

Shaina likes to entertain, so it was important that she have confidence that her main living areas would be completely comfortable no matter what the season.

She liked what our comfort specialist recommended, and was thrilled that she didn't have to get rid of her old system, but by supplementing with the ductless heating unit, she could improve the overall comfort of her home while saving on energy bills.

Learn more about Mass Save and CEC rebates.

Everybody with a top floor unit or remodeled attic knows these spaces can become uncomfortably hot in the summer. Even when the lower floors of your house are cool and comfortable, as soon as you walk up the stairs, a wall of heat slams into you.

Now imagine you live on the top floor of a building and this was your situation all the time! Well, that was the case for one of our customers in Somerville, MA.

A Multi-Zone Ductless HVAC Solution for This Third-Floor Condo

Based on her need to air condition the top floor in the house, we recommended a multi-zone solution from Mitsubishi.

She loves having pinpoint control over the temperature in different rooms now and is happy she finally has a heat and AC unit that maintains a steady temperature instead of being completely hot or cold. She was also happy to not have a noisy, ugly box hanging out of her window anymore, and she can watch the Red Sox game in the comfort of her home.

When Doris and John Inslee wanted to add air conditioning to their 1,398 square foot home in Reading, Massachusetts, they considered several options.

At that time, they primarily used oil for heat and had no air conditioning.  They decided to explore options that would cool their home in the summer and cut their overall heating costs in the winter.  This led them to NETR and our Mitsubishi heat pump technology.

Problem: The family wanted to add an air conditioning unit and supplement their oil system in the winter to lower heating costs.

Solution: Three Mitsubishi HVAC units were installed throughout the home in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen.  An additional unit was installed outside and a heat pump was added for year-round comfort.

"There was no natural gas available on our street and we didn't want to add the expense of buying a propane tank to satisfy the town's zoning requirements," says Doris Inslee. "So, we researched other options.  Heat pump technology looked the best, but we had to learn the technical aspects of what such a system could and couldn't do."

The Inslees read about the heat pumps on the internet, as well as printed material supplied by the experts at NETR of Woburn, Massachusetts.

"We chose NETR after consulting Angie's List and reading the positive reviews written there," Inslee explains. "We listened carefully to the presentation from one of NETR's comfort consult specialist, and his description of the company's products. We asked him a lot of questions."

Result

In the end, the Mitsubishi system cut 60% off the heating cost in the first year alone!  These homeowners were able to relax comfortably in the summer, thanks to the new AC system, and enjoy year-round savings!

Why N.E.T.R.?

Since 1989, NETR Inc.'s philosophy has been centered on our customer's needs, which has helped us become one of the most respected heating, ventilation and air conditioning providers in the northeast.

The expertise we offer is exactly what the Inslees were looking for when they set out to upgrade their home.  They wanted, namely, a company with a reputation for value, honesty and post-sale support.

"The comfort consult specialist walked through our home several times and asked what my expectations were of a heat pump system. I was satisfied with what he told me about heat pumps and the limitations of that technology regarding total HVAC performance. I truly appreciated his honesty in all aspects of the presentation."

The Work Begins

On N.E.T.R.'s recommendation, the Inslees chose a Mitsubishi Electric system for their overall HVAC needs.

The outdoor unit provides quiet, ductless HVAC capabilities for each room in the home.  The system also has a small footprint, with the wall-mounted main unit outside and several smaller, indoor, wall-mounted units that deliver heat or AC to each room in the house.

Though the Mitsubishi system was mainly chosen for its air conditioning capabilities, the ductless heat pump delivers comfort when it's too mild for AC, but not cold enough to turn on the heat.

"The comfort consult specialist told us exactly what to expect from the units we chose," Inslee explains. "So, we still use oil, electric, and a wood stove for the coldest winter days, but we use the Mitsubishi system for AC and year 'round comfort. The cooling is wonderful, so NETR installed exactly the right system for us."

After using the Mitsubishi HVAC system for about a year, the Inslees are very impressed with their energy savings.

In 2012, they spent about $3,000 for oil heat. In 2013, the Inslees purchased no oil to supplement the Mitsubishi system.

Because it cost them only $1,260 for the winter, the Mitsubishi system cut the Inslee's heating costs by about 60%.

"We're delighted with the Mitsubishi HVAC technology and all that NETR did to install it," says Inslee. "N.E.T.R.'s crew were prompt, efficient, courteous, and very knowledgeable throughout the entire process. We would highly recommend NETR to anyone."