Initial Conversations
Installing High-Velocity and Ductless Heat Pumps for Whole-Home Comfort in Princeton, NJ
A few years back, Jessica contacted us to install an air conditioning system in her beautiful Princeton, New Jersey home. Her 200-year-old home radiated charm but also presented several roadblocks when it came to installing an HVAC system. Luckily, Unico High-Velocity systems are the perfect match for older or historic homes. As you can see in Jessica's 5-star Google review, these small-duct systems are much less invasive than traditional ducted air conditioning systems. Without the need for major construction or alterations, a high-velocity system ensured that our homeowner did not need to sacrifice aesthetics for comfort.
This year, Jessica reached back out to ECI to find a heating and cooling solution for her enclosed porch. As it stood, the porch wasn't very useable as it got too hot in the summer or cool in the winter. But just as high-velocity was a great match for her home, we knew that a ductless heat pump would be ideal for the porch area. Let's dive into the installation and its benefits below.
High-Velocity Heating and Cooling for Older Homes
High-velocity central air conditioning works in the same fashion as a standard AC system -- air is cooled at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by ductwork. However, it stands out due to its unique duct sizing and superior ability to effectively distribute air throughout the entire room.
Better air circulation
High-velocity AC circulates the air much more efficiently than traditional systems, allowing us to put the vents in out-of-the-way places. Even with a vent tucked away in the corner, the air will quickly spread throughout the room so that you can feel cooling comfort from any spot. View the demonstration below to see how quickly air is circulated through the room.
Small ducts and concealable vents
The sound-attenuating supply ducts of high-velocity systems are only about two to two point-five inches in diameter and can be easily hidden by running them through ceilings, walls, and closets. Traditional ductwork, on the other hand, is four times as big!
In addition, high-velocity outlets (vents) are only around three inches wide, so we're able to place them flush against doors and walls. They also come in a wide variety of colors and finishes to match them to the wall or flooring material in your home. 
Whisper-quiet
Not only can The Unico System be hidden in plain sight, but you also won't be able to hear it. High-velocity systems are specially made to be whisper-quiet by using unique noise-dampening materials in the construction of the system. At most, you’ll hear a very soft “whoosh” if the room is silent and you’re near one of the tiny outlets. If you've ever heard someone say a high-velocity system is noisy, it could be due to issues with the installation such as the sound attenuator not being used or not enough outlets (vents) installed with the system. Check out this video demonstration of how high-velocity sound suppression works.
Efficiency
The efficiency of the high-velocity system and its ability to remove extra humidity from the air will ensure our homeowner experiences maximum comfort without that sticky, humid feeling in the summer. Unico systems can actually remove up to 30 percent more moisture than traditional ducted air conditioning systems. This will allow Jessica to keep the temperature a bit higher than normal, which will save energy and money as a result.
Mitsubishi Electric Heating and Cooling for Additions
Expanding your home does not mean you need to expand your existing HVAC system or spend money on new ductwork. Your addition, porch, sunroom, or garage may be constructed differently or may be used far more or less than the rest of the home. No matter the application, adding a ductless heat pump system will ensure maximum comfort year-round. For Jessica's enclosed porch, we went with a Hyper-Heat heat pump and the MSZ-FS air handler model. This system offers triple filtration, a backlit hand controller, and other premium features that we'll review below.
Hyper-Heat
Mitsubishi Electric's H2i Hyper-Heating INVERTER™ heat pump provides year-round comfort where standard heat pumps can't. While traditional heat pumps lose efficiency when it gets to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Hyper-Heat systems allow for great performance down to negative 13 degrees Fahrenheit! That means our homeowner can enjoy the room in the middle of winter without any additional sources of heat. When it comes to summer, the heat pump will reverse its function and provide cool air for the room.
Advanced technology
The indoor air handler utilizes unique technology that other ductless mini-split systems don't offer. One feature is the 3D i-See Sensor which works by thermally scanning the interior space for hot and cold spots to deliver the precise desired temperature. The FS model also features an Electro-static Anti-Allergy Enzyme Filter. This filter is charged with static electricity to attract and capture dust particles, bacteria, and molds and break them down into enzymes, thereby increasing the room's indoor air quality. A third feature is Swing Mode, which offers the capability to move air throughout the room like an oscillating fan. Visit our blog to read more about Mitsubishi Electric's advanced technology.
Efficiency
The Installation
Unico High-Velocity with Bosch Heat Pumps
The original installation included two Unico High-Velocity systems paired with two Bosch heat pumps -- one system for the first floor and a second zoned system to cover the second and third floors. This zoning feature will allow our homeowner to enjoy different temperatures on the top floors, leading to increased comfort, efficiency, and money savings.
We also explored the possibility of installing three separate systems, one for each floor. While this was a viable option, we ultimately concluded that a zoned system for the top floors would be the better choice for Jessica. Although the cost of a zoned system is not significantly lower than two separate systems, we realized that it would lead to long-term cost savings for her. By having a single outdoor unit and indoor unit to maintain each year, Jessica would avoid the double expense of air conditioning maintenance for the second and third floors every year. Additionally, opting for a zoned system means that when the time comes to replace the system in 15 to 20 years, she would only need to replace one system instead of two, resulting in significant cost savings.
After we determined the best option, we got to work installing the two systems! Luckily, the attic had a lot of space for ductwork, making it a good candidate for a multi-zone high-velocity system for her second and third floors.
Installing the first floor system was a bit more challenging as it had to be set up in the basement. While this is usually less challenging than an attic, Jessica's basement had numerous walls that divided the space, and there were plans to create a wine cellar in a portion of it. This made it more difficult to determine the optimal placement for the trunk and tubes compared to the attic installation. But after careful design and planning, we were able to make the system fit perfectly into her home.
The Bosch Inverter heat pumps will not only provide comfortable air conditioning to Jessica's historic home, but they will also serve as heaters in the wintertime. These efficient heat pumps provide precise heating and cooling year-round, all while operating at a whisper-quiet level.
Mitsubishi Electric Ductless Heat Pump
As mentioned earlier, Jessica contacted us again this year, this time seeking a solution to make her enclosed porch more comfortable during both the scorching summer and chilly winter days. She wanted to be able to fully utilize the space regardless of the weather outside. We knew that a ductless mini-split would be perfect for heating and cooling this separate space.Final Thoughts
After the ductless installation, Jessica now has efficient heating and air conditioning throughout every part of her home. We loved to hear her feedback and we thank Jessica for placing her trust in ECI!
"ECI was amazing for both our high velocity system and our mini split. We have a 200 year old home which posed several challenges for the ducts but ECI figured it out with almost no invasive cuts or extra ducts in our historic home. The install was seamless and pricing was competitive. You couldn’t ask for a more professional team."
ECI Comfort specializes in installing Unico High-Velocity Heating and Air Conditioning Systems. If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
