A Ductless Heat Pump Installation Solves Nagging Comfort Issues in this Pisgah Forest, NC Basement
Basements – A Common Heating & Cooling Problem
The story behind this ductless heat pump installation in a Pisgah Forest, NC basement is a classic use case for a mini-split system. The owners of this contemporary home in Pisgah Forest, NC had a finished basement space they wanted to use for more than just utilities- they were looking to make the space a place where family could gather, and even use some of the space as a home office. The problem was one many finished basements have- they tend to feel cold and damp a good portion of the year, and the air tends to circulate less well than in other parts of your home.
The homeowners gave us a call here at Blue Ridge Heating and Air to see what we would recommend to make this high-use area of their home more comfortable and functional. It’s a pretty common problem, and one that we felt confident we could solve.
Problem: Homeowners had a finished basement that was always too hot or too cold and were looking for a solution that would make the space more comfortable.
Solution: A two-zone Mitsubishi Ductless mini split heating and air conditioning system will make the basement comfortable all year long!
Ductless Heat Pump – A Cost Effective Solution
When you need better heating and cooling in the basement, there are a couple of things to consider.
- How much of the space needs to be heated or cooled?
- What needs to be done to control humidity?
- How often is the space going to be used?
- What will heat or cool the space most efficiently?
Why Mitsubishi Ductless is a Great Solution for Basements
Mitsubishi Ductless mini-split heating and air conditioning systems are designed to evenly heat and cool a space without worrying about vents and ductwork. They also do a great job of controlling humidity- a big deal in most basements!
These systems are highly efficient heat pumps consisting of two main parts- an outdoor condenser unit and an indoor air distributor, often called a head or cassette- that’s why these systems are often called “mini-splits” because they have two main components.
The outdoor condenser unit can heat or cool the refrigerant and sends it to the indoor “air handler” which then distributes the heated or cooled air throughout your space. Using Inverter technology, these heat pumps can work efficiently down to -13F, and are up to 70% more efficient than other solutions like electric baseboards or space heaters! And that translates into a LOT of savings on your monthly energy bills!
Designing The Right System For The Basement
When the experts from our team here at Blue Ridge came out to the home, we knew right away that in order to keep the whole basement comfortable, the homeowners should consider two zones of Mitsubishi Ductless Heating and Air Conditioning. It was a bit too big for just one unit, and with 2 they can cover the whole space, while also creating separate zones.
Only one outdoor condenser is needed. With most ductless mini splits, one outdoor condenser can handle 4-8 inside units.
Individual Zones of Comfort
For a large basement with different rooms like this one in Pisgah Forest, they needed more than one zone of comfort. For this home, we recommended two separate zones, one for the main family room and one for the other room that they will use as a guest room and home office.
Each of the zones, with a separate head attached to the same outdoor unit, can be controlled individually- meaning they can even turn off the system in the bedroom when not in use, and enjoy the comfort they need in the main room, or get that extra touch of heat or cooling they want in the office without affecting everyone gathered to watch the game in the next room.
Best of all, these systems are whisper quiet- at 19db, they’ll barely notice when they kick on, except for the comfort they deliver- so they’ll never interrupt the action- or their work.
Ductless Heat Pumps Have Sensors to Maintain Consistency
The indoor units come in several varieties, but most are placed up high on a wall, where they can use their advanced sensors to monitor the whole room for both temperature and humidity.
The heads also distribute the heated or cooled air throughout the whole space, eliminating hot or cold spots you can get with other solutions. The sensors help the system maintain a steady level of comfort, using just the amount of energy needed to maintain the level where they set it.
Along with power saving modes, and the ability to adjust the temperature from the Kumo Cloud smartphone app, they’ll get precision control of their comfort while maximizing the efficiency-which translates into lower energy bills each and every month.
Read More: The Cost Of Ductless Mini Splits
Increased Energy Efficiency With Ductless Heat Pumps
Mitsubishi Ductless heating and cooling systems like this one are some of the most energy-efficient systems on the market. With SEER ratings of up to 20, these systems use up to 70% less energy for heat and up to 30% less energy when cooling than comparable systems. This means you’ll get a lot more comfort while spending a lot less money on your electric bill.
These systems also qualify under the Inflation Reduction Act for tax credits. Heat pumps qualify up to $2000, and air conditioners qualify up to $600, depending on the efficiency rating of your new HVAC system.
Better Comfort, Where you Need it
For the homeowners here in Pisgah Forest, they were able to get the comfort they needed, without adding ductwork or resizing their current heating and cooling system for the rest of the home.
They were able to add the two zones of additional comfort right where they needed them, and will get much more use out of their renovated basement space than ever before. And they will be able to control the heating and cooling in these spaces without affecting the comfort of the rest of the home.
If you have a home with a basement, garage, attic, bonus room, sunroom, or other area that always seems too hot or too cold, give us a call here at Blue Ridge Heating & Air. Installing a ductless mini split system may be a great way to fix your comfort issues.
Our knowledgeable experts will help design a solution for your home that will give you the comfort you need, and find you the best deals and offers available. And just like these homeowners- you can be more comfortable within a day!