If you live in an older home here in Washington, whether it’s a charming Craftsman in Seattle or a cozy cottage out in the Cascades, chances are your house wasn’t built with central heating and cooling in mind. Many older homes rely on boilers and radiators for heat and don’t have much more than a few window AC units to get through the warmer months.
But here’s the good news: it’s easier than ever to upgrade your home with modern, energy-efficient HVAC, without ripping apart your walls to install ductwork. Let’s explore some of the best duct-free options that work perfectly for older homes in the Pacific Northwest.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
If your home still depends on radiators or clunky window AC units, a ductless mini-split system might be your ideal upgrade. These systems are popular across the U.S. for good reason, they’re easy to install, super efficient, and great for both heating and cooling.
Mini-splits work by connecting an outdoor unit to one or more sleek wall-mounted indoor air handlers. No big renovations required, just a small hole in the wall for some cables and refrigerant lines. You can even customize your setup room by room, giving you independent temperature control in each space. Want your bedroom cooler than your living room? No problem.
In the winter, these systems run in reverse, pulling heat from the outdoor air (yes, even when it’s chilly!) and moving it inside. That means no gas or electric resistance heating, just efficient, eco-friendly comfort. And with Washington’s relatively mild winters, these systems really shine here.
Already happy with your current heating system? You can still add a mini-split as a powerful and efficient cooling option. It’s a great replacement for those noisy, energy-hogging window units.
High-Velocity HVAC Systems
Another solid option for older homes is a high-velocity HVAC system. These systems function like traditional central air, but instead of large ductwork, they use flexible 2-inch tubing to move air around your home.
That smaller tubing means installers can feed it through walls with minimal disruption, kind of like running new wiring, so you don’t need to tear down walls or ceilings. Also, the vents are small and discreet, which keeps your home’s original charm intact.
High-velocity systems are available in different configurations, including heat pump models that offer energy-efficient heating and cooling. While they don’t offer the same room-by-room control as ductless mini-splits, they’re still a great way to bring modern HVAC performance into a vintage home.
Window-Mounted Heat Pumps
Want to improve your comfort without committing to a whole-house system just yet? Enter window-mounted heat pumps, a newer technology that’s catching on quickly.
These units offer similar technology to ductless systems but are designed to fit in your window (like a traditional window AC unit) with a much cleaner look and better performance.
They’re easy to install yourself, require no permanent changes to your home, and let you upgrade one room at a time. This makes them perfect for older homes where a full HVAC overhaul may not be in the cards right now.
Your Friendly Local HVAC Experts
At CasPro, we’ve been helping homeowners across Washington upgrade their comfort systems for over 25 years. We specialize in modern HVAC solutions for older homes, including ductless mini-split systems, high-velocity HVAC setups, and more.
Whether you’re looking to heat and cool a single room or the whole house, we’ll help you find the right fit, without compromising your home’s character. Our team is experienced, responsive, and always happy to answer your questions (no pushy sales tactics here).
Ready to bring your home into the modern age, efficiently?
