A remodel changes the heating and cooling load. An addition, finished attic, basement or older home without usable ductwork needs equipment selected for the rooms as they will be used—not whatever size happens to be available.
We calculate the load for each room, review the insulation, windows and air leakage, and look at what the existing furnace, boiler, air conditioner and ductwork can actually support. That separates a good ductless application from one that will short-cycle, leave humidity behind or struggle during cold weather.
| System | Best for | Keeps existing furnace or boiler? | Ductwork needed? | 2026 ComEd discount up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split | Additions, basements and older homes without ducts | Yes | No conventional ducts | $1,000 |
| Ducted heat pump | Whole-home replacement where ducts are suitable | Sometimes, depending on design | Yes | $2,000 |
| Dual fuel | Homes keeping gas heat for colder conditions | Keeps or replaces the furnace; boiler stays separate | Yes | $2,000 |
The discount is applied at purchase only when the system is installed by a contractor on ComEd's Heat Pump-Trained Contractor list, and the equipment must meet ComEd's efficiency minimums. Funding is limited. See ComEd.com/HomeHC. We'll help you check whether your project may be eligible.
Chicago and Peoples Gas programs have their own requirements. Before you sign, we'll go over which rebates your project may be eligible for.
Ductless equipment is often the cleanest fit when a new room is beyond the existing duct system or when running new trunks would damage finished plaster. One outdoor unit may serve one or several indoor zones, but each room still needs enough capacity and a practical path for refrigerant lines and condensate.
See our existing guidance on ductless mini-split installation and repair and heat-pump service before comparing a room addition with a whole-home change.
Right Away does no electrical work. A licensed, insured electrician provides the power, disconnect and related electrical work. We coordinate equipment requirements and locations so that work lines up with the HVAC installation.
That separation matters during a remodel: the electrician owns the electrical scope, while our work covers HVAC sizing, equipment placement, refrigerant piping, condensate management, startup and commissioning.
Often, yes. A mini-split gives the new space its own heating and cooling zone without forcing the existing furnace and air conditioner to serve square footage they were not sized for. We still calculate the room load and check the building before recommending equipment.
Yes. A ductless system can serve only the addition, while a dual-fuel system pairs a ducted heat pump with a gas furnace. Homes with boilers can also keep radiator heat while adding ductless cooling and shoulder-season heating in selected rooms.
We coordinate the electrical work with a licensed electrician, so power to the outdoor unit and any new circuit is done to code.
Cost depends on the number of zones, heating and cooling load, indoor-unit style, line-set route, condensate route and site conditions. We provide a quote after a room-by-room load calculation rather than using a made-up price that may not fit the project.
They can work well in finished basements that need independent temperature control or have no practical duct route. Sizing, indoor-unit placement, condensate drainage and the basement's moisture conditions all need to be checked first.
ComEd lists instant discounts for qualifying heat-pump equipment in 2026. The amount depends on the system type and rating, and the discount applies when a ComEd Heat Pump-Trained Contractor does the installation. Before you sign, we'll go over which ComEd or Chicago/Peoples Gas rebates your project may be eligible for.
