Ductless mini-split installation is the standard retrofit answer for adding AC and modern heating to mid-century Shoreline homes that were built without ducts or with ducts too small for central systems. HotWire designs and installs mini-split systems that actually match the home.
Ductless Install Considerations in Shoreline
Single-zone systems for adding AC and heat to a single main living area, master bedroom, or converted garage/ADU. Multi-zone systems for whole-house or partial-house coverage, from 2-head configurations covering main living plus master bedroom, up to 8-head systems covering entire houses. Wall-mount cassettes are the most common and cost-effective. Ceiling cassettes (recessed into ceiling drywall) preserve wall space in tight rooms. Concealed horizontal ducted mini-splits (a small ducted air handler tucked in a ceiling cavity) serve as whole-house replacements looking almost identical to central HVAC. Floor-mount consoles work well in rooms with limited wall space or where the indoor unit needs to sit low. Cold-climate hyper-heat systems for primary heating replacement. Multi-zone systems from Mitsubishi Diamond and MXZ, Daikin Multi Zone, Fujitsu Halcyon Multi.
We install Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Fujitsu, LG, and Gree ductless systems. Mitsubishi and Daikin lead most Shoreline installs for the quality and cold-climate performance. Fujitsu and LG offer strong value in specific configurations. We recommend based on your specific home and budget without pushing any particular brand.
Our install process starts with a site walk-through: room-by-room load calculation, outdoor unit placement evaluation, line-set routing planning, condensate drainage planning, and electrical service verification. Written quote itemized with equipment specs, indoor cassette locations, and labor scope.
Installation follows manufacturer commissioning procedure: line-set brazed under nitrogen purge (not just soldered dry, which introduces oxidation into the refrigerant loop), vacuum pulled to 500 microns held for 30 minutes verifying no leaks, refrigerant charge weighed in per manufacturer specification adjusted for line-set length, communication cabling routed properly, condensate drainage sloped adequately or pumped as needed, indoor cassettes leveled and mounted securely, and startup commissioning documented for your file. Manufacturer warranty depends on this documentation.
PSE rebate paperwork handled where equipment qualifies. Federal 25C tax credit documentation provided. Washington L&I permits pulled when scope requires. Free written estimates across Shoreline. Installations completed cleanly with drop cloths, dust protection, and full site cleanup at the end.
