What is a Ductless Mini-Split?

Mini-splits are heating and cooling systems that allow you to control the temperatures in each room of your house.

All Mini-split have two very important components — an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit(s) (evaporator). They are easy to install usually requiring only a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit; which houses the power and communication cables, copper tubing, and a condensation drain line, linking the outdoor and indoor units.

Mini-split heat pumps are not only great solutions for whole home or new constructions but make good retrofit add-ons to houses with “non-ducted” heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). They can also be a good choice for room additions where extending or installing distribution ductwork is not feasible, and energy-efficient new homes that require only a small space conditioning system.

Mini-Splits vs. Central Air

Mini-split systems have little-to-no ducts, thus they do not lose energy through the ductwork of central forced air systems. Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in the crawl space, lower level basement, or attic.

Central air systems require costly and complicated ductwork. Most homeowners who have examined the price of traditional ductwork and HVAC system install know that mini-split is much more affordable and desirable.