Learn how Jay Moody HVAC provided this Massachusetts home with energy-efficient heating and cooling, all without adding ductwork or sacrificing its unique character.
The owners of a 1935 Arts & Crafts brick bungalow in Groton, MA contacted Jay Moody HVAC looking for a more energy-efficient way to heat and cool their home. Their existing oil boiler was inefficient and offered little room-by-room control. The home had no air conditioning at all, leaving them uncomfortable during warm Massachusetts summers. With no existing ductwork and a desire to preserve the Groton home’s historic character, they sought a solution that could quietly and effectively deliver year-round comfort without disrupting the layout or aesthetic.
Jay Moody HVAC custom designed a Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump system to meet the comfort, efficiency and aesthetic needs of the Groton home.
“We engaged Jay Moody to retrofit our 1935 Arts & Crafts brick bungalow with ceiling mounted heat pumps to provide air conditioning throughout the house and to reduce our oil burning for heat and hot water. Paul *Sharkey did a very good job with the design, and Paul Bilodeau was outstanding in the implementation. We’d struggled for years to find a way to bring central air to this old home with plaster and metal lathe walls, and this is a perfect solution for us! The design has 4 ceiling units on the first floor and one in each of three bedrooms on the 2nd floor, giving us seven zones, which enables us to be very efficient with our heating and cooling. It was important to us to retain the gracious look of the home, especially on the main floor, and the low-profile ceiling units do just that. These units are usually only installed on the top floor because they are a few inches deeper than the joists, however the bungalow has four eaves closets on the 2nd floor. Jay Moody was able to position the units in these deep closets so that they have virtually no impact on the usability of that space. Paul Bilodeau worked with us to position the units so that they looked very nice on the first floor and were conveniently positioned in the 2nd floor closets. We have been very happy with the performance of the system during the summer and now that the cold weather has started. The people at Jay Moody are wonderful. Every single person we talked to was very kind and polite. We cannot say enough about Paul & Paul. Extremely competent, responsive and a pleasure to work with!”
This Groton, Massachusetts home faced high indoor temperatures and humidity in the summer, and relied on an inefficient oil boiler for winter heating. Without existing ductwork and with plaster and metal lath walls, a central heat pump system wasn’t a practical option. Because the boiler heated the entire home through one zone, energy was wasted heating less-used rooms, and the home still struggled with inconsistent temperatures.
In addition to concerns about comfort and energy efficiency, the project aimed to address the homeowners’ desire to preserve the home’s quaint charm and historic aesthetics. The homeowners were not fond of the appearance of wall- or floor-mounted mini-splits and preferred a system that would seamlessly blend with the original architecture of their home.
To provide efficient heating and cooling while preserving the charm of the Groton bungalow, a whole-home Mitsubishi mini-split system was selected. The system comprises seven zones, providing room-by-room temperature control across both the first and second floors, while the home’s existing boiler remains the primary heat source for the basement.
Mitsubishi was the equipment of choice due to its advanced cold-climate heat pump performance, whisper-quiet operation and sleek, low-profile cassette design.
The system is connected to a single multi-zone outdoor condenser, with seven ceiling cassette mini-splits strategically placed to meet the heating and cooling needs of the living room, kitchen, office, primary bedroom and three additional spare rooms.
The new ductless heat pump system not only reduces the homeowners’ reliance on fossil fuels but also provides efficient heating and cooling with potential cost savings compared to oil heating. Room-by-room zoned temperature control allows the family to heat and cool spaces based on occupancy and need, and ceiling cassette units provide an aesthetic solution, blending into the home without compromising style or functionality.
At Jay Moody HVAC, we take a personalized approach to every project, ensuring our customers’ needs are met at every stage. For this home, we worked closely with the homeowners to deliver a customized solution and a smooth, stress-free experience. The installation process consisted of the following steps:
When the homeowners contacted Jay Moody HVAC to explore cooling solutions for their home, the company quickly arranged for a degreed engineer to conduct a free, in-person consultation. Paul Sharkey, engineer and Director of Operations, visited the house to gain a deeper understanding of the homeowners’ needs and assess the property. During the consultation, Paul discussed how the homeowners were using their current heating system, what changes or additions they wanted to make and explored both their short-term and long-term goals for the home.
To ensure optimal system efficiency and functionality, Jay Moody HVAC performed a Manual J calculation on site, determining the home’s precise heating and cooling load for 99% of local weather conditions. Collaborating closely with the homeowners, Paul Sharkey presented multiple custom HVAC system designs tailored to the unique needs of the contemporary Groton bungalow. Upon reviewing the various design options and further discussing their choices, the Groton homeowners chose to move forward with the 7-zone ductless cassette design which offered efficiency, comfort and seamless integration with the home’s existing style.
Jay Moody HVAC began the ductless heat pump installation with a pre-install walkthrough involving the engineer, lead technician and homeowners. During the walkthrough, the team reviewed system placement, outlined the installation process and addressed any last-minute questions from the homeowners.
Throughout the installation, Jay Moody HVAC took care to uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship. While the industry standard typically calls for evacuating the lineset once or twice before adding refrigerant, Jay Moody HVAC employs a triple evacuation process to ensure no moisture remains in the refrigerant lines. Additionally, the team uses hand-bent lineset turns, which reduce system resistance and minimize leak potential compared to competitors who use fittings. Unlike many competitors, Jay Moody HVAC uses a high-quality line hide—a sturdy, paintable material that’s UV, weather, and fire-resistant. This ensures durability, protection, and a clean aesthetic that won’t fade or warp over time.
To preserve the home’s aesthetic, the team employed innovative techniques to minimize the visual impact of the system. On the first floor, they accessed ceiling cavities through closets on the second floor to reduce disruption to upper-level spaces. For the upstairs rooms, the team worked through the attic, allowing the cassettes to be flush-mounted with no visible ductwork or wall units.
All electrical work was completed by Jay Moody HVAC’s licensed electricians, who worked respectfully around the homeowners’ schedule. The team even enjoyed getting to know the homeowners’ friendly dog during outdoor work. Upon project completion, the technicians conducted a full system walkthrough, providing system operation and maintenance tips to help the homeowners get the most out of their new system.
This mini-split heat pump project in Groton, Massachusetts, qualified for a rebate through the NextZero municipal rebate program, with Jay Moody HVAC assisting the homeowners in completing the application and submitting the necessary paperwork to ensure they received their rebate. The project also qualified for a Federal Tax Credit through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Equally important, as a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite Contractor, Jay Moody HVAC offered a 12-year equipment warranty on the Mitsubishi system, along with a 2-year workmanship warranty, giving the homeowners peace of mind knowing the quality of their system is fully backed. To ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience, Jay Moody HVAC took care of all the warranty paperwork on the homeowners’ .behalf
With their new whole-home Mitsubishi ductless heat pump system, the Groton, Massachusetts homeowners now enjoy consistent, customizable comfort throughout the year, while reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and maintaining the integrity of their historic home. The mini-split ceiling cassette design allowed for a discreet installation that didn’t interfere with the home’s unique Arts & Craft Bungalow character, proving that energy efficiency and aesthetics can go hand-in-hand.
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