Ductless Mini-Split in La Marque, TX

It's often the best option. Many island homes (historic raised cottages, pier-and-beam Victorians, beach bungalows) either have no ductwork or have badly retrofitted ducts that leak at every joint. Mini-splits bypass ductwork entirely, avoiding the $3,000-$8,000 cost of new duct installation and the 15-25% efficiency loss from pushing cooled air through a 150-degree attic.

Single-zone installations with corrosion-rated equipment run $3,000-$5,500. Multi-zone systems (2-5 indoor units on one outdoor compressor) range from $8,000-$15,000. Corrosion-rated outdoor units cost $300-$800 more than standard models but last 2-3x longer in salt air.

Modern inverter mini-splits handle it very well. They run continuously at variable speeds, pulling far more moisture from the air than systems that cycle on and off. Many models also include a dry mode that prioritizes dehumidification, ideal for Gulf Coast shoulder-season days that are 75 degrees but 90% humidity.

Not for long. We've seen standard units with condenser coils corroded to half capacity after three years on Galveston Island. We install only units with Blue Fin or Gold Fin coil coatings, stainless hardware, and marine-grade cabinet finishes. For beachfront properties, we add wind baffles and elevated mounting.

Single-zone installations complete in 4-6 hours. Multi-zone systems take 1-2 days depending on the number of indoor units and routing complexity. The wall penetration is a 3-inch hole sealed with weatherproof compounds rated for hurricane-force wind-driven rain.