High temperatures in Austin, Texas, can exceed 100 F while low temperatures can get down to single digits. Often, older homes have energy-inefficient infrastructures, leading to higher bills and inconsistent heating and cooling.
Recently Millennial homeowners wanted to purchase a newer energy-efficient home but fell in love with a sprawling ranch home on 2 acres that was nearly 20 years old. The homeowners knew that it was necessary to transform the older dwelling if they wanted a more sustainable and economical home. A large piece of the puzzle required an advanced and powerful HVAC system—a big change from the home’s old fossil fuel-dependent system—to address the complex needs of three distinct and unique zones in the home. It was paramount to ensure that the new owners could achieve an energy-efficient solution that would be cost-effective, reliable, and able to keep up with the evolving heating and cooling needs and extreme Texas temperatures.
CRITERIA
The large home required a powerful, versatile solution that could provide cooling across multiple living zones. The new system needed to be energy-efficient and support the homeowner’s overall goal of creating a comfortable, sustainable home that reduced their operating costs without sacrificing comfort. To achieve these goals, there needed to be flexibility within the design to provide further opportunities for a healthier house with reliable and easily controllable heating and cooling throughout to that could keep up with the extreme weather conditions in Texas.
Because each living space held unique specifications and needs, it was essential for the three zones within the home to be addressed and fitted separately with the right products and solutions to ensure cooling and heating stability and management.
To achieve the standard of technology and energy efficiency desired, the homeowner turned to LG Electronics USA’s Air Conditioning Technologies division to provide an integrated multi-zone HVAC solution involving a hand-selected range of high-powered, state-of-the-art products to increase comfort and reduce the home’s overall environmental footprint.
SOLUTION
After assessing the situation and the unique challenges involving the three zones present, the contractor installed two LG high-performance, all-electric, energy-efficient HVAC systems. One was retrofitted into an existing ducted system, and the second was a ductless system—both connecting to compact inverter-driven outdoor units.
The first new multi-zone system consists of the award-winning LG Multi F MAX inverter heat pump, a 54,000-BTU outdoor unit connected to two indoor zones. Capable of working with up to eight indoor units, this multi-zone heat pump system is ideal for residential and light commercial applications, as it allows for the individualized temperature control of spaces in the home, enabling personalized comfort. By achieving zoned heating and cooling, the Multi F MAX helps prevent over-cooling/heating, thus minimizing uncomfortable temperature swings and increasing energy efficiency.
The first zone of the house, which includes the main bedroom suite, office, entry, and flex space, uses existing ductwork and is controlled by an LG Vertical Air Handling Unit, a 4-way variable capacity air handler that can achieve 36,000 BTU cooling or 40,000 BTU heating.
Zone two—which covers the pantry (and also houses two dog crates for furry family members)—is fitted with a ductless LG Art Cool Mirror (9,000 BTU) wall-mounted indoor unit. The Wi-Fi capable Art Cool Mirror features a sleek, mirrored finish and energy-efficient inverter technology with quiet operation and easy installation. With natural airflow and auto operation modes, the unit ensures the pets are comfortable and cool while the owner is away.
Zone three includes the home’s guest rooms, dining space, kitchen, and living area. This zone is fitted with the LG Single Zone system and the Wi-Fi capable LG Multi-position Vertical Air Handling Unit, a configuration powered by efficient LG inverter compressor technology. With LG’s inverter compressor, the system can minimize temperature fluctuations while maximizing efficiency by changing the compressor output to work incrementally, based on demand. In addition, LG’s inverter technology can perform in extreme temperatures without utilizing alternative electric heat sources, unlike traditional U.S. heat pump systems. This performance is especially important considering the harsh winter weather in south Texas. This system enabled efficient and cutting-edge inverter technology with minimal to no impact to their home’s existing duct design and system, cutting down on costs, labor and hassle during the retrofit. Together, the system provides rapid response heating or cooling for the home.
RESULTS
Leveraging new powerful and highly-efficient LG HVAC systems, the renovation exceeded expectations in increasing the efficiency of the Millennial homeowners’ property and helping to reduce total utility costs. By making these upgrades, the home now has harmonized temperatures throughout, along with benefits of increased comfort and control, as well as lower utility bills. The HVAC systems from LG delivered a more efficient and comfortable solution for the space, while helping to reduce the home’s overall environmental footprint in a manageable and affordable way.
With the old system, the homeowners experienced a loss of air circulation and wide set-temperature swing. Now they can enjoy better airflow while maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the house. With the ability to control each zone in their home separately, they can ensure top efficiency and optimal comfort for themselves and their furry family.
“Now, with all the changes and upgrades, I have a smaller carbon footprint,” the owner says happily. “It feels healthy, new and clean. Hopefully, it helps inspire other people looking to do the same in their homes to have the same direction, so we can all build a little greener!”
