Mitsubishi Electric Systems Give Back the Windows

The Norwich Free Academy
A privately endowed secondary school, The Norwich Free Academy (NFA) has been serving Norwich and surrounding Connecticut communities as a regional high school since 1854.

The Situation
In 2001, an executive committee of the NFA Board created a fund for replacing aging, noisy and unsightly window air-conditioning units in four of the key historical buildings on the campus in downtown Norwich. In an effort to restore these century-old buildings to their original exterior beauty and integrity, the Board wanted to replace the window units with a system that would be both hidden and cost effective. Because of the age and construction of these old structures, finding a ductless system was central to the search. In addition, they sought a heating system solution that would bring their antiquated equipment up to a contemporary standard.

The Innovative Discovery: Pioneering Technology
In search of an innovative solution, NFA Facilities Manager Harry Hansen discovered split-ductless systems from Mitsubishi Cooling and Heating Solutions at a Woodstock (Conn.) trade show in 2001. Tony Pellecchia, president DSM, Inc., Dayville, Conn., was demonstrating Mitsubishi Electric MSZ and MXZ INVERTER heat pump models. Hansen ordered several units for a trial run in one of his school buildings. He wanted to see if this pioneering technology offered the spot cooling and heating solutions he needed. Installation was fast and easy with only a small, 3-inch opening required in the wall to connect indoor and outdoor units with refrigerant piping and control wiring. The MSZ and MXZ units featured Mitsubishi Electric HVAC’s INVERTER compressor technology, which includes a variable speed compressor for precise comfort control.

One Unit Trial Run Leads to the Order for 100 More
The first few split-ductless units installed met NFA’s needs so well that Hansen ordered more. Two years later, more than 100 outdoor and indoor units were installed with plans to install more. The outdoor units were installed on rooftops and hidden on patios. The low-profile indoor units were installed on walls, surface-mounted to ceilings and some inside drop ceilings so only the grills are exposed. Refrigerant piping and control wiring have been skillfully hidden inside chase walls and suspended ceilings. Thus far, the Mitsubishi Electric units can be found in an NFA kitchen, cafeteria, computer laboratories and in many small administrative offices.

Restoring the Integrity of 150-year-old Buildings: Giving Back their Windows
“Out” are the hassles of noise, inefficiency, temperature fluctuations, unsightly window units and the time-consuming, annual task of installing, removing and storing the window units. “In” are the joys of the exact amount of cooling or heating required by each zone, variable speed compressors for precise comfort control, a constant and comfortable indoor environment, wireless LCD remote control for each unit, considerable cost savings and the delight of giving the academy back their windows.