Most DC rowhouses were never built with ductwork, which is why so many still rely on radiators and window units. Ductless mini-splits solve both halves of the problem: efficient cooling in July and heat-pump warmth in January, without tearing walls open for ducts.
We install mini-split systems across the District — single-zone units for a bedroom, basement, or addition, and multi-zone systems that condition a whole rowhouse floor by floor.
A clean mini-split install is about placement and finish: indoor heads located for airflow and aesthetics, line sets routed and concealed in trunking or through closets rather than draped down the facade, condensate drainage sloped properly, and the outdoor unit mounted level on a pad or brackets. Electrical work is coordinated so the dedicated circuit is done to code.
We size systems to the actual room load — an oversized unit short-cycles and dehumidifies poorly, which matters in Washington's muggy summers.
Modern cold-climate heat pumps heat efficiently well below freezing — more than capable for DC winters — and can cut heating costs versus electric baseboard or old oil systems.
A single-zone install is typically done in a day. It requires one small wall penetration for the line set — no ductwork, no major demolition.
It depends on how the house is used. A single problem room needs one zone; whole-home comfort in a three-story rowhouse usually means a multi-zone system. We assess this during the free estimate.