There are a lot of upsides to living in the same home for years. Along with the comfort and security that comes from settling in, it also allows you look for ways to make your environment even better. Sometimes, that means doing something really noticeable, like building an addition or even a new paint job. Other times, however, you can go a long way with something not nearly as obvious.

One older gentleman with a beach house in Brigantine decided it was time to invest in something that would make life a little more comfortable in the years to come. For him, that meant finally upgrading his duplex with a centralized HVAC system.

Problem: Homeowner had only electric baseboard heat and window air conditioning units. He is getting older and wanted a more permanent, central, energy-efficient setup. However, the attic and crawlspace were not usable for ductwork.

Solution: Install an eight-zone Mitsubishi ductless cooling and heating system.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with baseboard heat and window-unit air conditioners. But, there are just so many more great options out there today. They cost less to operate and maintain, and many times do the job better.

Baseboard heat, for instance, costs more than other heating systems, and become less efficient if the system is not cleaned properly. Plus, you can’t put furniture in front of them. This can make it difficult to set up a room just how you want it, especially in a duplex where there isn’t as much room as in a single-family home.

Window-unit air conditioners can also affect your home decor. They take up a lot of room wherever they’re placed. That means less sunlight coming in, and a potential eyesore from outside. They also drip water, which can cause staining and rust on your home’s exterior.

Overall, using baseboard heat and window air conditioning units can just be a hassle when it comes to climate control and maintenance. Instead of one thermostat, you’ve got a bunch of small units to constantly fiddle with. 

It’s no wonder this Brigantine homeowner was ready for an overhaul. Now, his new heating and air conditioning system is way more energy efficient and convenient, and less expensive. Rather than a haphazard combination of baseboard and window units, our Comfort Now tech installed an eight-zone Mitsubishi ductless and cooling system

Each zone is heated or cooled by just one Mitsubishi ductless panels. They’re long, skinny panels you can mount just about anywhere. Normally, they go close to the ceiling, out of the way of furniture, pets and other obstacles.

Each one works independently, but is part of one system. Each panel can be set to a different temperature. If there’s a room or area the homeowner doesn’t use often, for instance, he doesn’t have to waste money heating or cooling it the same way he does in places he’s in more often.

Even when all the panels are set to the same temperature, they’re still more efficient. That’s because different parts of the house heat or cool differently. The upstairs, for instance, usually takes more energy to cool because heat rises, while the baseboards downstairs are doing much of the heating work for both stories.

A lot of times, that means areas in the house are too hot or cold. That happens especially when you’ve got a bunch of disconnected units like this Brigantine house had. Now, however, each zone cools or heats separately to the desired temperature.  

And, they’re all easy to control. Tech-savvy homeowners can use Wi-Fi to control the temperature from a phone or tablet. Or, they can just use a special remote control that comes with the system.

It was a big overhaul, but it didn’t break the bank. Since the new Mitsubishi ductless panel system is energy efficient, the homeowner got a rebate through the New Jersey Gas Energy Star Program. He actually got $800 back in cash for the work! And, with Comfort Now’s financing, he’s paying it off little by little each month.

In the meantime, he’s got one less thing to worry about when it comes to his house — and a few new ways to enjoy his home.