Why Ductless Mini-Splits Are the Perfect Solution for Older West Michigan Homes
West Michigan is filled with beautiful, historic homes. From the classic farmhouses in Hopkins and Dorr to the charming mid-century builds in Hudsonville and Grandville, older homes offer a character that you simply can't find in new construction.
However, they also come with a major drawback: many of them were built long before central air conditioning became the standard. If you own an older home, you probably know the struggle. You rely on loud, inefficient window AC units in the summer, and space heaters to supplement drafty rooms in the winter. Adding traditional ductwork requires tearing down plaster walls, lowering ceilings, and paying for massive renovations.
Fortunately, there is a better way. Enter the ductless mini-split system. Here is why mini-splits are the ultimate HVAC solution for older West Michigan homes.
1. No Ductwork? No Problem!
As the name suggests, ductless mini-splits require absolutely no ductwork to operate. The system consists of a sleek indoor air-handling unit mounted on your wall, connected to an outdoor compressor via a small, three-inch hole. This means we can install a modern, high-performance HVAC system in your home in just a single day—without tearing up your beautiful historic walls or compromising your home's architectural integrity.
2. Solve the "Hot Upstairs, Freezing Downstairs" Problem
Older homes are notorious for uneven temperatures. Ductless mini-splits operate on a "zoned" system. You can install different indoor units in different rooms, allowing you to customize the temperature room by room. You can finally keep the upstairs master bedroom cool during humid August nights in Byron Center, without freezing out the downstairs living room.
3. Year-Round Heating AND Cooling
Don't let the name fool you—modern mini-splits don't just blow cold air. Thanks to advanced heat pump technology, these systems can reverse their operation to provide incredibly efficient heating during the winter. They are the perfect way to add supplemental heat to a chilly three-season sunroom or a finished basement in Wyoming, MI.
4. Whisper-Quiet Operation
If you are used to the rattling and roaring of a window AC unit, a mini-split will feel like magic. The noisy compressor is located outside, while the indoor unit operates at a whisper-quiet hum. You'll barely even notice it's running.
5. Massive Energy Savings
Traditional HVAC systems lose up to 30% of their energy through ductwork leaks. Because mini-splits deliver air directly into the room, there is zero energy loss. Plus, because you can turn off units in unoccupied rooms, you only pay to heat or cool the spaces you are actively using.
Ready to Modernize Your Comfort?
At Comfort-Tech Heating & Cooling, our factory-trained technicians specialize in designing and installing custom mini-split systems for unique home layouts.
If you're tired of wrestling with window units in your historic West Michigan home, call us today at 616-896-9789 or click "Schedule" to book a consultation. Let's bring your home's comfort into the 21st century!