How MGM Mechanical Added Heating and Cooling to an Older Lewistown Rental Without Ductwork
For the owner of a two-apartment house in Lewistown, the existing HVAC setup presented two immediate concerns. Each apartment relied on an aging oil boiler and old oil tank for heat, one of the tanks had begun leaking, and neither apartment had a built-in cooling system. Window air conditioners were the only option during the summer.
The owner wanted a more practical long-term plan: one type of system that could provide both heating and cooling. The challenge was finding equipment that fit an older house where the available basement space made a conventional ducted installation impractical.
MGM Mechanical designed two matching multi-zone mini-split systems, one for each apartment. Each apartment received a 2-ton outdoor unit connected to three 9,000 BTU wall-mounted indoor heads. One head was installed in the kitchen, with dedicated heads in both bedrooms.
The finished design gave both apartments cold-climate heating and air conditioning without adding full-size ductwork, extending natural gas service to the property, or continuing to depend on window units for cooling.
The Challenge: Old Oil Equipment, a Leaking Tank, and No Central Air
Older rental properties often have HVAC systems that were added or modified at different times. In this Lewistown house, each apartment had its own oil boiler and oil storage tank. The equipment was old, and one tank was already leaking, creating a clear reason for the owner to consider a different heating plan.
Cooling was a separate issue. The apartments did not have central air conditioning, so residents relied on window units when temperatures climbed. That meant the owner was evaluating more than a heating replacement. The right solution needed to address winter heat and summer comfort together.
The building itself narrowed the options. Because the older house had a low basement, there was not enough practical room to install the indoor equipment and duct system required for a conventional ducted heat pump. Adding ducts through the apartments would also have made the project more disruptive.
Why Natural Gas Boilers Were Not the Best Fit
Natural gas boilers were discussed as another possible replacement for the oil systems. The property, however, was not connected to the town gas lines. Extending gas service and installing new boilers would have made the project considerably more expensive.
That investment also would have addressed heating only. The owner still would have needed a separate plan for air conditioning. When the full scope was considered, a ductless heat pump system offered a more direct path to both heating and cooling without the added gas connection.
The Solution: Two Multi-Zone Hyper-Heating Mini-Split Systems
The two apartments shared the same basic floor plan, which allowed MGM Mechanical to use the same system design on both sides of the property. Keeping the configurations consistent also gave each apartment comparable room coverage and equipment capacity.
- One 2-ton outdoor mini-split unit for each apartment
- Three 9,000 BTU wall-mounted indoor heads connected to each outdoor unit
- One indoor head in each kitchen
- One indoor head in each of the four bedrooms across the property
- Two outdoor units and six indoor heads for the complete two-apartment installation
Room-by-Room Comfort Without Ductwork
Placing indoor heads in the kitchen and both bedrooms gave each apartment direct heating and cooling in the rooms used most often. It also reduced the need to push conditioned air through doorways or depend on one centrally located unit to serve the entire apartment.
This type of room-by-room layout is one of the practical advantages of a multi-zone mini-split system. Each indoor head is connected to the apartment’s outdoor unit, allowing the design to serve several rooms without installing a network of supply and return ducts.
Why Cold-Climate Mini-Splits Made Sense for Central Pennsylvania
The selected hyper-heating equipment is designed to continue providing heat during subzero outdoor conditions, making it appropriate for a property that needs dependable winter performance in Lewistown. The indoor wall heads also operate quietly, an important comfort detail for units installed in bedrooms.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s overview of air-to-air heat pumps notes that split heat pump systems can be configured as single-zone or multi-zone systems and are available in cold-climate models. The same guidance identifies their smaller size and flexibility for individual rooms as advantages in retrofit projects.
The Result: One System Type for Heating and Cooling
Instead of continuing with old oil equipment for winter and window air conditioners for summer, the property now has a mini-split design intended to handle both seasons. The owner avoided the cost of connecting the house to natural gas, and MGM Mechanical did not have to force a ducted system into a basement that could not reasonably accommodate it.
Using one outdoor unit per apartment also kept the two systems clearly separated. Each apartment received the same capacity and the same three-room layout, while the wall-mounted heads provided direct comfort in the kitchen and bedrooms.
For this Lewistown rental, mini-splits were not simply an add-on for one uncomfortable room. They were the complete heating and cooling strategy selected around the age, layout, and mechanical limitations of the building.
What Owners of Older Rentals in Mifflin County Can Learn From This Project
Aging boilers do not always need to be replaced with another boiler, and a home without ducts does not automatically require a major ductwork renovation. The better question is which system fits the building, the available space, the local climate, and the owner’s goals.
For a duplex or small multi-unit property, that evaluation may include the condition of existing fuel equipment, the cost of extending gas service, electrical capacity, apartment layouts, insulation, window placement, and the number of rooms that need direct conditioning. A properly designed multi-zone system can be a strong option, but capacity and head placement should be based on the property rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.
This project shows how a matching system for each apartment can simplify the overall design while giving residents year-round comfort. It also demonstrates why older homes often benefit from an HVAC contractor who considers the building constraints before recommending equipment.
Planning a Mini-Split Installation in Lewistown or Mifflin County?
If you own an older home, two-apartment house, or rental property without ductwork and are comparing oil, natural gas, and heat pump options, MGM Mechanical can evaluate the property and recommend a system that fits the space. Learn more about MGM’s ductless mini-split installation services or review the company’s HVAC services in Lewistown and throughout Mifflin County.
To discuss a heating and cooling upgrade for your property, contact MGM Mechanical to request an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mini-splits heat an older home during a Lewistown winter?
Yes, when the equipment is selected and sized for cold-climate operation. The systems used for this project were hyper-heating models designed to provide heat during subzero outdoor conditions. The correct capacity depends on the building's heat loss, insulation, windows, layout, and other site conditions.
Can one mini-split outdoor unit serve several rooms?
Yes. A multi-zone system can connect one outdoor unit to several compatible indoor heads. In this Lewistown project, each 2-ton outdoor unit served three 9,000 BTU wall heads located in the kitchen and two bedrooms of one apartment.
Why did this property use mini-splits instead of a ducted heat pump?
The house had a low basement that did not provide practical space for a conventional ducted heat pump and its ductwork. Mini-splits allowed MGM Mechanical to deliver heating and cooling directly to the selected rooms without forcing a duct system into the building.
Why not replace the old oil boilers with natural gas boilers?
The house was not connected to the town gas lines, so extending natural gas service would have added substantial cost. New gas boilers also would not have provided air conditioning. The mini-split design addressed heating and cooling with the same type of system.
Does every two-apartment property need the same mini-split layout?
No. This property had two apartments with matching layouts, so MGM Mechanical could use the same configuration for both. Other buildings may need different capacities, indoor-unit styles, or head locations based on room sizes, heat loss, electrical service, and how the space is used.