For homeowners with older heating systems, an HVAC upgrade isn’t always about waiting for existing equipment to fail. Sometimes the better approach is to address a known weakness in the home before it becomes an expensive repair.
That was the thinking behind a recent All Air Systems Heating and Cooling project in Hazlet, New Jersey, where homeowner Keith Boyer chose to remove his home’s older baseboard heating system and replace it with a new Trane heat pump system. The new system features a compact side-discharge outdoor unit and uses the home’s existing central A/C ductwork to provide both heating and cooling.
An HVAC Challenge Common in Older New Jersey Homes
Keith’s home was built approximately 60 to 70 years ago and, like many homes of its era in Hazlet and surrounding Monmouth County communities, was constructed on a slab.
The house relied on an older baseboard heating system. For homes built on slabs, aging heating pipes can present a particular concern. If concealed piping eventually develops a leak, locating and accessing the problem can potentially require opening finished areas of the home, including the first-floor slab.
Keith didn’t want to wait for a failure to dictate when and how he upgraded his heating system. Instead, he worked with Ken and the All Air Systems team to develop a plan to remove the old baseboard heating and transition the home to a heat pump.
Using the Home’s Existing A/C Ductwork
One of the advantages of this particular home was that it already had ductwork for air conditioning.
Rather than creating an entirely new distribution system, All Air Systems was able to design the new heat pump installation around the home’s existing A/C ductwork. The existing A/C ductwork now does double duty, distributing both heating and cooling throughout the home from the new Trane heat pump system.
A heat pump provides both heating and cooling from the same HVAC system. During warmer weather, it operates much like a central air conditioner, moving heat from inside the house outdoors. When heating is needed, the refrigeration cycle reverses and the system transfers available heat from outside into the home.
For homeowners considering a similar conversion, existing ductwork can be an important part of the equation. It still needs to be evaluated for its size, condition, airflow and compatibility with the proposed equipment. An HVAC system should be selected for the requirements of the individual home rather than simply replacing old equipment with something that appears comparable.
The project pairs the home’s existing duct system with modern Trane heat-pump technology. Outside, the new side-discharge heat pump has a tall, narrow profile compared with many conventional central A/C condensers. This type of configuration can be particularly useful on established properties where outdoor space, walkways, landscaping and existing improvements all need to be considered when determining equipment placement.
Proper Heat Pump Sizing and Installation Matter
Keith came into the project particularly well informed about HVAC equipment and its capabilities, having worked for an equipment manufacturer himself. He was also particular about how the installation was performed.
That’s important with heat pumps. Equipment selection is only one part of a successful conversion. The system needs to be properly specified for the home’s heating and cooling requirements and installed so that the equipment, ductwork, controls and airflow work together as intended.
Following the installation, Ken checked back with Keith to see how the new system was performing. Keith reported noticeable differences in the home. According to his feedback, the house feels more even, the system doesn’t sound the way the previous equipment did, and indoor humidity dropped faster than he was accustomed to seeing.
Those are meaningful comfort improvements that go beyond simply looking at the temperature displayed on a thermostat.
More Even Temperatures Throughout the Home
One of the potential advantages of a properly designed forced-air HVAC system is improved temperature distribution.
Older baseboard systems deliver heat around the perimeter of individual rooms. A ducted heat pump distributes conditioned air through supply registers throughout the home. When the equipment and duct system are properly matched, this can help create more consistent conditions from one area to another.
Keith’s observation that his home now feels more even is a good example of why homeowners should consider overall comfort when comparing HVAC systems—not just their heating or cooling capacity.
Cooling and Humidity Control
The new system also made a noticeable difference in humidity removal.
An air conditioning or heat pump system doesn’t just lower the air temperature during cooling operation. As warm indoor air passes across the cold indoor coil, the system also removes moisture from the air.
Equipment selection, runtime, airflow and system operation can all affect dehumidification. Keith noticed that the new Trane system was bringing the humidity down more quickly than his previous system, adding another layer of comfort inside the home.
A Proactive Alternative to Repairing an Aging Heating System
Not every older baseboard system needs to be removed simply because of its age. But this Hazlet project illustrates why it can be worthwhile to consider the bigger picture before a major failure occurs.
For Keith, replacing the baseboard system allowed him to address concerns about aging infrastructure on his terms instead of potentially dealing with inaccessible piping after a leak. At the same time, he gained a modern system that provides both heating and cooling through the ductwork already in his home.
His review following the project summed up his experience:
“Just had a Trane heat pump installed by All Air systems. From start to finish, Kenny and his installers did a stellar job. Heat pumps are becoming the norm. Kenny will spec out a heat pump for your specific needs and not BS you. This is not a DIY project. Call the pros at All Air Systems to get a proper installation.”
— Keith Boyer
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A Clean Installation at an Existing Hazlet Home
The finished outdoor installation reflects the attention to detail Keith was looking for. The Trane heat pump is positioned on a dedicated equipment pad alongside the home and elevated on equipment supports, with the refrigerant and electrical connections neatly routed to the house.
For a retrofit at an established home, equipment placement is an important part of the installation plan. The HVAC contractor needs to account for manufacturer clearances, service access, airflow, drainage and the existing features around the property—not simply find a place where the outdoor unit will fit.
Considering a Heat Pump Conversion in Monmouth County?
If you have an older New Jersey home with baseboard heat, aging heating equipment, central air conditioning or existing ductwork, there may be more options for an HVAC upgrade than you realize.
All Air Systems Heating and Cooling can evaluate your current heating and cooling equipment, existing ductwork and the specific requirements of your home to determine if a ducted heat pump, ductless heat pump, traditional HVAC replacement or another configuration makes sense.
We provide residential HVAC replacements and upgrades in Hazlet and communities throughout Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties, with equipment options from Trane, Mitsubishi Electric and other leading manufacturers.