In 2022, Lawrence and Cheryle Banek followed their daughter to Gaylord to be close to their grandkids. They purchased a home and became GLE members – everything was great, except for one problem — The house had a space above the garage, like an apartment with a sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom, but it didn’t have any ductwork.
Cheryle was at a loss for how they could use the space without being able to heat or cool it. Their decorator mentioned a wall unit, but she didn’t know what it was called, and then one day, their daughter commented that out east, they offer mini-splits.
With a solution in mind and knowing the name, Cheryle called JP Heating of Northern Michigan in Gaylord. The owner came and checked out the space and explained how a mini-split works, how they heat and cool the space for pennies, and that there’s no need for ductwork.
Even though Cheryle had never heard of a mini-split, the contractor informed her they had installed thousands of them. She also learned that her friends in Ohio, who owned a summer cottage with no ductwork, got a mini-split and made it a year-round residence. Concerned that it would be obtrusive, Lawrence and Cheryle decided on the smallest Daikin mini-split system and had it installed in July 2023. “Installation was very quick, taking only a day. It’s unobtrusive and so quiet. It’s just wonderful!” Cheryle explained.Â
Mini-Split Heat Pump
(Ductless Air Source)
Mini-split heat pumps, or ductless heat pumps, are an alternative to radiator or baseboard heating, as well as a replacement for window units for cooling. No duct work is needed. Instead, a head unit, or multiple head units, are mounted on an interior wall or ceiling, with an accompanying unit outside.Â
Lawrence and Cheryle paid the contractor approximately $6,000 for the mini-split system and installation. The contractor explained that GLE’s Energy Wise program offers rebates for mini-splits and even applied for the rebate on the Banek’s behalf. Cheryle was impressed with the contractor’s initiative and efficiency of the process as they received their $1,500 refund quickly.
With the mini-split installed, the room is now comfortably functional as a guest room for out-of-town guests and Cheryle’s TV room. Cheryle said, “Now I can go up to the room and watch TV. When it’s cold, I just turn the mini-split on, and the entire space is heated within a few minutes.”
“The mini-split resolved our issue because it wasn’t a usable space the way it was. Now, the space is usable, adding value to our home,” Cheryle said. “It’s like we added a private third bedroom, which future owners could use as a mother-in-law apartment or room rental.”
She said, “If you look around, it’s amazing how many people have mini splits. I never realized until we got one. It’s so quiet and works so well, and I don’t see any change in our energy bill.”
Lawrence and Cheryle stay home often and are mindful of their energy use, trying to conserve energy where possible. Unsure how using the mini-split would affect their electric bill, Cheryle has been happy that she hasn’t seen a difference.
The value of adding a mini-split to their home has gone beyond heating and cooling. The Lawrences now have a comfortable space to relax, a room for family and friends to stay in, and a space that adds monetary value to their home without compromising their comfort, energy use, energy costs, or aesthetics.
“We love it and can’t say enough nice things about it,” said Cheryle.
