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In North Carolina, keeping a living space comfortable all year long can be a real challenge. Challenging environmental conditions require precise sizing, efficient operation, and equipment flexible enough to handle changing seasonal demands without overcomplicating the installation. For Benchmark Service Company Inc., the solution came in the form of a Navien NAZ variable capacity heat pump paired with an NAS air handler.
Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, Benchmark Service Company Inc. specializes primarily in residential HVAC work throughout the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. Owner Brad Lanning and his team were recently tasked with converting a 92% AFUE split gas furnace system into a high-efficiency inverter heat pump solution for the basement of a three-story home.
For the project, Benchmark Service Company installed a three-ton Navien NAZ heat pump with a two-ton NAS air handler to condition a basement space measuring just under 1,000 square feet. According to Lanning, the installation process stood out immediately because of the system’s thoughtful design and ease of setup.
“The installation today was very, very smooth,” said Lanning. “Startup was a breeze. No issues at all.”
The Benchmark Service Company team noted that the NAS air handler was well insulated and tightly sealed, helping reduce the risk of air leakage and condensation buildup that they have encountered with other air handlers.
“The air handler is sealed very well,” Lanning explained. “We saw zero air gaps, zero possibility of condensation to create any biological growth.”
Installation Manager Zahn York also praised the compact footprint of the equipment, especially for tighter retrofit applications often found in residential homes.
“The Navien equipment is a little bit smaller, a little bit easier to get into tighter situations,” York said. “The connection points on the NAS for voltage were also really easy to work with; it makes it a dream to install.”
The team also highlighted the straightforward wiring configuration, simple setup process, and built-in Bluetooth connectivity through the Navien app, which simplifies startup and troubleshooting for technicians.
For Benchmark Service Company, one of the biggest advantages of the NAZ heat pump system is how well inverter technology fits the North Carolina market. The Charlotte region experiences a mix of humid summers, mild winters, and unpredictable cold snaps that can quickly test HVAC systems.
The NAZ heat pump’s inverter-driven compressor allows the system to automatically adjust capacity based on the home’s actual demand instead of constantly cycling on and off at full output. In this installation, the three-ton outdoor unit was intentionally left at full capacity to provide additional flexibility if the homeowner’s heating or cooling needs change in the future.
“With the inverter technology on the compressor and fans, the homeowner will absolutely see the difference compared to a conventional system, especially with how quiet the NAZ is,” said Lanning.
York agreed, noting that inverter heat pumps are increasingly becoming an ideal solution for homes throughout the Southeast.
“They can do everything you need them to do in this climate, any time of the year,” York said, “I'm really honestly looking forward to installing another one.”
For Benchmark Service Company, the installation reinforced confidence in Navien’s growing HVAC lineup. After completing the project, the team walked away impressed not only with the product performance, but also with how contractor-friendly the installation process proved to be from start to finish.