Many Bay Area homes from the 1920s to the 1940s were built without central ductwork. They were heated by floor or wall furnaces, and many still are. Adding ducts to a finished older home is disruptive. A ductless mini-split avoids that.
Why Ductless Fits Older Homes
- No new ducts through finished walls, ceilings or crawl spaces
- Each room or area can have its own indoor unit and control
- It adds air conditioning, which most of these homes never had
- It can replace a gas wall heater with an electric system
Example: A Berkeley In-Law Unit
We installed a Mitsubishi multizone heat pump with a ductless mini-split serving a Berkeley in-law unit, so the unit has its own heating and cooling. See Mitsubishi at Aarvaks.
What It Costs
Placing Indoor Units in an Older Home
In homes with plaster walls, original trim and built-ins, we plan unit locations and line set routes to keep the work outside and out of sight where possible. Lines often run down an exterior wall in a cover that can be painted to match the house.
Other Options Without Ducts
- Gas wall furnace replacement: the lowest upfront cost, heat only. See wall heaters.
- Adding ductwork: possible in some homes with attic or crawl-space room, with more disruption.
- Concealed ducted mini-split: a hidden indoor unit with short ducts to a few rooms.
Single-zone installs start at $6,500; multi-zone systems are priced by zone count and routing. Read mini-split installation cost, or book an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a house with no ducts get central air?
Yes, with a ductless mini-split. Each indoor unit cools and heats its space without ductwork.
Does a mini-split need a big hole in the wall?
No. The line set passes through a small hole, typically about three inches across, for each indoor unit.
Will a mini-split hurt the look of an older home?
Indoor units are visible on the wall. Placement and line set routing can keep them out of the main sightlines, and concealed ducted units hide the indoor unit entirely.