Historic Roswell + Marietta Homes: Retrofitting HVAC Without the Wreckage

Charm constrains the install — but it doesn't dictate the comfort outcome

Historic homes in Roswell's Mimosa Hall district, Marietta's Whitlock Avenue, and the older sections of Smyrna and Decatur are some of our favorite jobs — and some of the most demanding. Plaster walls, narrow joist bays, undersized chases, and original architectural features all complicate the install. The good news: modern equipment is far more flexible than the systems these homes were built around.

The three retrofit paths we use

1. Mini-split retrofit (least invasive). A multi-head Mitsubishi or Trane mini-split system lets each room have its own head — no ductwork required. Refrigerant lines run through 3" chases. Best for homes where preserving plaster + woodwork matters more than centralized air.
2. High-velocity small-duct retrofit (medium invasive). Systems like Unico use 2" flexible ducts that snake through existing wall cavities. More expensive than mini-splits but invisible from inside the rooms.
3. Conventional ducted retrofit (most invasive, but sometimes right). When the home has a usable attic + basement, we can sometimes install conventional ductwork with minimal visual impact. Requires careful chase planning + soffit work.

What we don't do

We don't cut historic woodwork or original plaster without a clear plan you've approved in writing. We don't install equipment that requires a chase the home can't physically accommodate. And we don't promise "you'll never see the refrigerant lines" — historic homes always require trade-offs, and our job is to make sure you understand them before we start.

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