Just wrapped up installing a mini-split system in the backyard ADU we built for my folks. Gotta admit, was a bit of a headache at first trying to figure out what would work best. Didn't want to overload the electrical panel, and space was pretty tight, you know? Anyway, ended up going with a ductless mini-split heat pump, and wow—super quiet and efficient. My dad's already joking he's gonna move in permanently because it's comfier than their main house now, lol.
The whole thing ended up being easier than expected once I got past the initial research paralysis. Curious if anyone else has done something similar or found another good solution for heating/cooling a smaller detached space. How'd it turn out for you?
"My dad's already joking he's gonna move in permanently because it's comfier than their main house now, lol."
Haha, sounds about right—once you get used to that kind of comfort, it's hard to go back! I did something similar last year when we converted our detached garage into a guest suite. Like you, space was tight and I was stressing about electrical loads. Ended up going with a mini-split too, mostly because running ducts would've been a nightmare with the layout.
Honestly, I was skeptical at first (had a bad experience with an old school window unit years ago), but these modern mini-splits are legit. Quiet, energy-efficient, and surprisingly powerful for their size. My brother-in-law crashed there for a couple weeks while visiting and kept joking that he was gonna squat permanently, lol.
One thing I'd recommend—if you haven't already—is to keep an eye on the filters. They're easy to forget about in these smaller units, but they can clog up faster than you'd think, especially if you have pets or pollen issues in your area. Learned that the hard way after ours started acting funny during peak summer heat.
Overall though, zero regrets here. In fact, kinda wish we'd done it sooner. Glad yours turned out well too!
