The Problem
A Boise homeowner reached out to River City HVAC after years of frustration with a home that never felt comfortable. The bonus room over the garage was unusable in both summer and winter, upstairs bedrooms were at inconsistent temperatures, and the heating and cooling system seemed to run constantly.
Two HVAC companies had already visited the home. Both came to the same conclusion quickly: the house needed a second system. Quotes ranged from $25,000 to $35,000, with significant construction required to add new ductwork, gas lines, and electrical service.
What Others Missed
What previous contractors didn’t do was test.
- No one measured airflow.
- No one evaluated duct sizing.
- No one asked why certain rooms had never been comfortable, even when the system was new.
Instead, the assumption was simple: add more equipment.
River City’s Approach
River City HVAC started by listening. The homeowner explained that the bonus room had never been comfortable and that the rest of the house felt “okay, but not great.” They were worried about spending tens of thousands of dollars only to end up in the same place.
From there, River City performed a full evaluation:
- Load calculations
- Airflow and duct pressure testing
- Equipment performance analysis
It turned out that the problem wasn’t a lack of heating or cooling capacity. It was restricted airflow.
The ductwork serving the upper floor, especially the bonus room, was severely undersized, with long runs and limited return air. The existing system was working overtime trying to push air through ductwork that was never designed to carry it.
Adding a second full system would have masked the issue, but it wouldn’t have fixed it.
More equipment wouldn’t have solved the problem. Better design would.
The Right Solution
Instead of recommending a second system, River City designed a heat pump-based solution that addressed the root cause while avoiding unnecessary expense.
The plan included:
- Replacing the aging furnace and AC with a properly sized cold-climate heat pump, designed to modulate output and run efficiently at partial loads
- Targeted duct improvements where they provided meaningful gains
- A ductless mini-split heat pump in the bonus room, where duct upgrades weren’t practical or cost-effective
This approach delivered comfort exactly where it was missing, reduced strain on the main system, and avoided major construction. And while duct improvements and a mini-split alone could have provided short-term relief, new whole-home heat pump installation allowed the homeowner to solve today’s comfort issues while avoiding another full system replacement in the near future.
Just as importantly, the total project cost came in well below the price of adding a second system.
The Results
The difference was immediate.
- The bonus room became usable year-round
- Upstairs bedrooms now matched the rest of the house
- The system ran quieter and longer, steadier cycles
- Monthly energy bills dropped noticeably
Why This Matters
This project is a perfect example of why River City HVAC does things differently.
We didn’t recommend the most expensive option. We didn’t default to adding more equipment. We used testing and building science to understand the home as a system, and designed a heat pump solution that fit how the home actually works.
Sometimes the best solution isn’t the biggest one. It’s the one that’s designed correctly.
