Installing a Ductless HVAC System
- nvilu7
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
(My First RTTPYO Project)
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Build a Home That Actually Works for You
A decade ago, when I bought my condo in Portland, the weather started shifting.
Winters got colder
Summers got hotter
My HVAC situation? Barely functional
I was either freezing or baking—and paying a lot for both.
So I made a decision:
This would be my first RTTPYO (Removing Things That Piss You Off).
I replaced my patchwork heating and cooling setup with something that actually worked.
The Problem: A “System” That Wasn’t One
When I moved to Portland in 2008:
Air conditioning was optional
Summers were mild
Winters were rainy but temperate
So homes like mine were built with:
Electric wall heaters
No ductwork
No central HVAC
Then everything changed.
By the time I was working from home full-time:
My west-facing office turned into an oven by noon
Fans provided little relief
My window A/C units were loud, ugly, and inefficient
At one point, I was working in my underwear just to survive the heat.
If your home only works in “ideal conditions,” it doesn’t work. |
The Solution: A Ductless Heat Pump
Because my condo had no ductwork, traditional HVAC wasn’t an option.
The answer: a ductless heat pump (mini split system).
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump doesn’t create heat—it moves it:
Winter: pulls heat from outside → moves it inside
Summer: removes heat from inside → pushes it outside
System components:
Exterior compressor unit
Interior wall-mounted units (mini splits)
Refrigerant lines connecting them
Why I Chose a Ductless System
Advantages
Energy efficient
Lower monthly costs
Heating + cooling in one system
Quiet operation
Improved air quality
Considerations
Higher upfront cost
Performance depends on insulation
Slightly less efficient in extreme cold
My Real Numbers
Condo size: 940 sq ft
System: 1 exterior unit + 3 mini splits
Cost: ~$10,000
Rebate: $1,000 (Oregon)
Energy savings: ~30% reduction
This is one of the rare home upgrades that improves comfort AND lowers your bills. |
Ducted vs. Ductless: What You Need to Know
If You Have Ductwork:
Install a ducted heat pump.
If You Don’t (like me):
Go ductless.
Adding ductwork later is:
Expensive
Invasive
Sometimes impossible
Bonus: Zoned Comfort
Each mini split can be controlled independently.
Translation: Your bedroom doesn’t have to feel like your living room.
Planning Your System (Don’t Skip This)
1. Exterior Unit Placement
Needs airflow
Typically installed on a concrete pad
Shouldn’t block walkways or windows
2. Interior Unit Placement
Mounted high on walls
Positioned for airflow
Sized to the room
Important: Mini splits can’t go above windows.
3. How Many Units?
This is critical.
You can’t easily add more later.
My setup:
1 large unit (main living space)
2 smaller units (office + bedroom)
Go slightly bigger than you think you need. You will not regret it. |
Installation Day: What It’s Actually Like
Seven people showed up.
Within minutes:
Holes were cut in my walls
Power was shut off
My electrical panel was rewired
They cut an attic access hole in my closet
Things escalated quickly.
What to Expect
You must be home all day
It will be loud
Power + WiFi will go on and off
Constant questions from installers
Do NOT schedule meetings. This is a full-day event. |
The Result: Immediate Life Upgrade
Eight hours later:
Even temperatures in every room
Quiet operation
No more wall heaters
No more window A/C units
Afterward, I:
Removed the old wall heaters
Removed and donated the window A/C units
Patched + painted walls
Enjoyed a much cleaner space
Unexpected Bonus: Fire Season Survival
The day after installation?
The 2020 Labor Day fires.
Smoke filled the air
Windows stayed shut
Outdoor air was toxic
Inside my condo?
Cool
Clean air
Comfortable
This system didn’t just improve comfort—it made my home livable in a crisis. |
Final Verdict
✔️ ~30% lower energy bills
✔️ Year-round comfort
✔️ Quiet, clean operation
✔️ No more workaround solutions
Worth every dollar.
Make your life easier…one RTTPYO at a time. |
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