What to Expect When You Inquire About Ductless
You are looking for a heating and cooling solution for a specific area, or your whole home, without adding ductwork. The process begins with an in-home visit to assess your space and discuss your comfort goals. Precision Heating & Cooling provides these consultations to determine the right fit for your home.
When you reach out, we focus on understanding the problem you want to solve. Perhaps an upstairs bedroom gets too hot in the summer, or a new home addition feels chilly. These are common situations where ductless systems, also known as mini-splits, are an excellent solution. Our goal during a consultation is to listen first, then inspect the space and provide honest, no-pressure options.
How Ductless Heat Pumps Provide Year-Round Comfort
Ductless systems are highly efficient heat pumps that provide both heating and air conditioning. They work by moving heat, not creating it. In the summer, the system moves heat from inside your home to the outdoors, and in the winter, it reverses the process by extracting heat from the outdoor air and moving it inside.
A system consists of two main parts. An outdoor compressor unit is connected by a small bundle of lines to one or more indoor units, often called heads. Modern cold-climate models are designed to heat effectively, making them a reliable option for year-round comfort.
The connection between the indoor and outdoor units requires only a small, three-inch opening in the wall. This makes installation far less intrusive than adding a new network of ductwork throughout your home. The quiet operation of both the indoor and outdoor units is another significant benefit.
Designing a System Tailored to Your Home
A successful ductless installation depends entirely on a design that is customized for your specific home and needs. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The process involves careful calculation, strategic placement, and choosing the right configuration for the number of rooms you want to condition.
Proper Sizing Is Not a Guess
We perform a load calculation to determine the exact heating and cooling capacity your space requires. This calculation considers room size, window type and quantity, insulation levels, and sun exposure. Getting the size right is critical for both comfort and efficiency.
An oversized system will turn on and off frequently, which is inefficient and does not properly remove humidity from the air. An undersized system will run constantly without ever reaching your desired temperature on very hot or cold days. Taking the time to size the equipment correctly ensures it performs as intended.
Strategic Placement of Indoor Units
The location of the indoor unit affects how well it distributes conditioned air throughout the room. The most common placement is high on a wall, but there are also floor-mounted and ceiling-cassette options available. We help you choose a location that maximizes airflow and comfort while also considering your home’s aesthetics.
Other factors include access for future service and filter cleaning. We also plan the route for the condensate drain line, which safely removes moisture the unit pulls from the air during cooling mode. Careful planning prevents future issues and ensures a clean-looking installation.
Single-Zone and Multi-Zone Configurations
Ductless systems offer great flexibility. A single-zone system pairs one indoor unit with one outdoor unit. This is a perfect solution for a single problem room, a garage workshop, or a new addition.
A multi-zone system connects two or more indoor units to a single, larger outdoor unit. Each indoor unit can be controlled independently, allowing you to create different temperature zones throughout your home. This is an ideal way to provide air conditioning and supplemental heat to an older home in the Grand Rapids area that uses a boiler and has no existing ductwork.
The Installation Process From Start to Finish
We take pride in a clean and professional installation process. Before any work begins, we will confirm the final locations for the indoor and outdoor units with you. We use drop cloths and take care to protect your home and property.
First, we install a sturdy, level pad for the outdoor unit to sit on. The unit is then securely mounted to the pad. Next, we carefully drill the small opening through the exterior wall for the line set that connects the two components.
Inside, we mount the indoor unit securely to the wall. We then run the line set, which contains the refrigerant piping, electrical wiring, and the condensate drain. Once connected, we pressure-test the lines to ensure there are absolutely no leaks before using a vacuum pump to remove all air and moisture from the system. Finally, we charge the system with the precise amount of refrigerant specified by the manufacturer.
Living With Your New Ductless System
Once the installation is complete, we test the system thoroughly in both heating and cooling modes. We will show you how to operate the system using the remote control, including how to change modes, set the temperature, and adjust the fan speed. Most products include a 10-year parts warranty and a 1-year labor warranty.
You can perform simple maintenance yourself by cleaning the indoor unit’s filters regularly. We will show you how easy it is to remove, rinse, and reinstall them. Clean filters are essential for maintaining good airflow and high efficiency.
We also recommend annual professional maintenance to keep your system in top condition. Our maintenance plan includes two visits a year, costs $89 per year for one unit or $179 per year for an AC plus furnace, and provides a 10% discount on repairs and priority service. Seniors 65 and older also get 10% off service calls and accessories.
Request a Free Estimate for Ductless Installation
The first step toward enjoying zoned comfort is a professional, on-site evaluation of your home. As a contractor serving Comstock Park and West Michigan since 1994, owner Scott Johnson and our team are committed to providing honest pricing and no-pressure options. We offer free estimates on new equipment, and financing may be available through Michigan Saves. Precision Htg & Clg Inc holds Michigan Mechanical Contractor licence #7111083. Call (616) 784-2350.