About a decade ago, my father-in-law purchased a vacation home on Lake Michigan. The residence, aptly known as the Ludington House, has served as a central gathering place for family vacations ever since. While most of us camp at the state park, the home serves as a respite for rainy days and a dock for laundry, showers, and countless games of euchre.

While he’s done a great job improving the space, he’s seemed resistant to address the home’s indoor comfort. The ranch, complete with a full basement, is equipped with a boiler and baseboard distribution system. While this approach is suitable for Michigan’s winters, it offers little relief during the dog days of summer, which, selfishly, is when we spend most of our time there.

Every year, as the temperature pushes toward 100°F, I’ve proposed a ductless mini-split system. His rebuttal remained logical: “We’re not there enough to justify the investment.”

To my surprise, his stance changed last year. I was thrilled to hear the news.

And while I’ve been clamoring for the upgrade for years, as the “HVAC guy” in the family, I knew I had to have a heart-to-heart with him before he signed on the dotted line.

He planned to add three indoor wall-mounted units, one in each of the home’s bedrooms. I agreed that the bedrooms would be a great spot, though I warned him it was unlikely that any of the cool (or warm) air would extend into the living room or bathroom areas. I cautioned him that many contractors will oversize these units to “expand” their reach and encouraged him to request a load calculation to ensure his unit was sized correctly and that his heads were placed appropriately.

He nodded in agreement.

Additionally, I said he should be extremely picky when it came to the contractor he selected, as most of the problems that spring up with these units — i.e., poor flare connections, refrigerant leaks, etc. — occur during installation. He shared the contractor’s name, and, upon a web search, I was happy to learn the company had 50-plus years of experience and maintained relationships with dozens of reputable manufacturers.

I then told him the system will provide minimal filtration, will not introduce any fresh air into the home, and will offer little to no dehumidification. Additionally, I told him the system will get dirty quickly and encouraged him to sign up for the contractor’s maintenance plan to ensure the equipment is cleaned and serviced regularly.

He shared, confidently, that he intends to purchase the warranty, so equipment issues shouldn’t be too concerning.

I laughed, informing him that parts are very difficult to come by. More often than not, when an issue occurs, contractors choose to completely replace the unit rather than wait for individual components to arrive.

Drowning amongst all of this new information, his face fell flush with regret.

Ultimately, I assured him he was making the right decision, especially if his primary concern was sleeping more comfortably. I encouraged him to discuss each of these items with his contractor. He promised me he would.

Post-Installation

Long story short, the unit was installed this spring, and, I’m happy to report, it’s worked optimally ever since. He had a candid conversation with his contractor before the installation and shared my talking points, which likely heightened the technician's focus.

Without a doubt, mini-splits are fantastic solutions for specific applications. I’ve been writing about them since I began my HVAC journalism career almost 12 years ago. Many people — including my father-in-law — rave about the comfort they deliver.

That said, contractors must be forthcoming about their pros and cons. While all contractors are interested in closing a deal, the integrity of the industry lies in providing the appropriate solution for each application.

And, lo and behold, as the state park endured a 36-hour power outage this summer, we scampered to the Ludington House. Hot and sticky upon arrival, we relished in the home's new indoor climate. Sharing drinks and a barrel of laughter, the mini-split mindlessly furnished comfort, allowing us to concentrate on what matters most: making memories with family.