Controllable temperatures without obtrusive units
Ductless heat pumps are a type of ductless HVAC system.
They’re usually used as an alternative to window units and baseboard heating.
Ductless heat pumps can cost thousands less than central air systems.
They increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Ductless heat pumps might not be the best option for larger homes or single rooms.
Curious about how to stay comfortable year-round without the need for extensive ductwork or bulky window units? The answer lies in a versatile and energy-efficient solution: ductless heat pumps. What is a ductless heat pump? These popular systems are helping homeowners achieve personalized climate control with greater efficiency. Read on to learn everything you need to know about these units and if it's the right choice for you.
Like the name suggests, a ductless heat pump (also known as a ductless mini-split system or ductless air conditioning) is a type of ductless HVAC system. The term “heat pump” is a little misleading. Mini-split systems work for both heating and cooling a space. They typically consist of an outdoor unit (like you’d find in a central air conditioner) and an indoor wall unit.
Ductless mini-split systems are often used as an alternative to baseboard heating and window air conditioning units. They’re particularly useful when heating and cooling windowless rooms, basements with hopper windows, small spaces, or homes that can’t support ductwork.
There are several types of ductless heat pumps homeowners can choose from. Understanding the different types will allow you to make an informed choice and tailor your heating and cooling solutions to your household's specific needs.
The single-zone mini-split ductless heat pump is a convenient heating and cooling system suitable for a single room or space. It includes an outdoor condenser unit and an indoor air handler that delivers both heating and cooling.
It's an excellent option for areas with unique temperature needs as it offers personalized comfort while conserving energy by not heating or cooling unoccupied spaces. Homeowners typically opt for this system in converted garages, home additions, or any area where traditional ductwork installation is impractical or expensive.
A multi-zone mini-split ductless heat pump is a highly efficient and adaptable HVAC system that delivers customized heating and cooling solutions for various areas in a house. Similar to a single-zone mini-split, this system uses an outdoor condenser unit that links up with numerous indoor air handlers, enabling different temperature controls for different zones.
The multi-zone mini-split is ideal for homes with diverse heating and cooling needs. It can tailor temperature preferences in specific rooms, optimizing comfort while saving energy consumption and costs by avoiding the unnecessary heating or cooling of vacant areas.
A sleek and compact unit that offers both heating and cooling functions, the wall-mounted ductless heat pump is a popular choice for single-zone or small-space applications. Its efficient performance and ease of installation make it a preferred option, delivering rapid temperature adjustments while seamlessly blending with room decor. By avoiding the need for ductwork, these units not only offer individualized climate control but also improved energy efficiency.
A floor-standing ductless heat pump is designed to sit on the floor, typically against a wall or in a location hidden from view. These units provide both heating and cooling and are well-suited for spaces where wall or ceiling installation is not preferable. Floor-standing units offer a discreet and unobtrusive solution while efficiently maintaining desired temperatures. They are often chosen for their flexibility in placement and are ideal for areas with specific heating or cooling needs.
Installed flush within the ceiling, the ceiling cassette ductless heat pump offers unobtrusive heating and cooling. This space-saving unit is perfect for rooms with limited wall or floor space. Its ability to disperse conditioned air evenly and quietly ensures a balanced temperature throughout the room.
Not only does it perform well, but its sleek design also makes it an aesthetically appealing choice, making it popular in commercial environments, offices, and open-concept living spaces where both form and function are highly valued.
There’s a lot that goes into how a mini-split works, but it’s similar to a traditional central air conditioning system—just with the added ability to reverse the cooling process and heat your home. It consists of an indoor unit that connects to an outdoor unit via a power cable, refrigerant line, suction tubing, and condensation drain line rather than ductwork. Here’s a look at how it heats and cools.
Ductless heat pumps cool down the air using two main parts: an indoor unit with evaporator coils and an outdoor unit with condenser coils. The cooling cycle begins in the indoor unit:
The warm air inside your home enters the indoor unit and blows over the evaporator coils.
The refrigerant inside the evaporator coils absorbs the heat, raising in temperature as it cools down the air.
The cool air is blown back into the room.
The warmed refrigerant is sent to the outdoor compressor unit, where it passes over condenser coils.
These condenser coils transfer the heat to the outside air, effectively cooling down the refrigerant and filtering the heat away from your home.
The newly cooled refrigerant cycles back to the indoor unit, where the process begins again.
During this process, the refrigerant goes from a liquid to a gas and then back to a liquid. This aids in the movement of the refrigerant and the transfer of heat. This cycle will continue until your room hits the desired temperature set on the thermostat.
In colder seasons, you can heat your home by reversing the cooling process in your ductless system. During the heating process, your system will reverse the flow of refrigerant (taking warmth from outside and bringing it inside) and swap the functions of the indoor and outdoor coils. The heating process begins in the outside unit:
Outside air filters into the outdoor unit, where it’s blown over the outdoor coils.
The cool coils absorb the heat from the outside air, warming up the refrigerant.
This refrigerant travels to the compressor, where it gets even hotter.
The hot refrigerant travels to the indoor unit and passes over the indoor coil.
The indoor coil helps transfer the heat of the refrigerant into the air inside your home.
The warmed inside air is blown out of the indoor unit and circulated around the room.
The cooled refrigerant cycles back to the outdoor unit where it can start the heating process again.
Most of the benefits of ductless AC systems center around price, convenience, and comfort. Find out if a ductless heat pump is right for your home.
Cost-effective: Mini-split heat pumps are a value compared to central heating and cooling systems. Most ductless heating and cooling systems cost between $4,350 and $12,250, which is less than the average cost of a new HVAC system if you account for the cost of new ductwork. If you’re looking to heat or cool multiple zones, the costs will increase but are still generally lower than installing a traditional central air system with a boiler or furnace.
Easy to install: Ductless heat pump installation is less complicated than central air installation because it doesn’t require ductwork. During most installations, a contractor will only need to drill a three-inch hole for piping, drainage, and mounting.
Customizable heating zones: Central air systems with a single thermostat can struggle to warm or cool rooms farthest from the system (especially basements or attics) or meet different comfort levels. Ductless heat pump models let you customize heat for each zone or room, making them excellent choices for a separate rental room inside your home.
Energy-efficient: When it’s used correctly, a ductless mini-split system can increase your home’s energy efficiency. How? A whopping 30% of energy consumption used in conditioning is lost through air ducts. Energy Star ductless models also may come with a federal tax credit or local rebate.
No fire hazards: Heat pumps only use refrigerant when heating. That means there’s no risk of fires or nearby scorching, which can be the case with some baseboard heaters as well as furnaces or portable heaters.
Quiet operation: The noise of ductless systems can vary, and they aren’t always quieter than modern central air. However, they can still be quieter than a heat pump right outside the window that’s suddenly decided to go into a defrost cycle while you’re trying to get to sleep.
Ductless heat pumps can save homeowners from extensive ductwork, but it’s not always the best option. Before you pick an HVAC system, consider the cons of ductless ACs.
Larger up-front cost: How much does a ductless heat pump cost? It may be more than you think. In some cases, ductless heat pump installation costs more up front than other options. If you have a larger home with existing ductwork, you’ll usually pay less to replace your existing central heating and cooling system than to install a brand-new ductless system.
Some people don’t like the aesthetic: The outdoor unit in a ductless air conditioner is smaller and more streamlined than what you’d get with central air. Unfortunately, you will need an air handler—which looks like a white or beige bar—in every room. Some homeowners prefer the look of a small vent versus a wall-mounted air conditioner.
Very cold climates might be too cold: Though some modern ductless heat pumps can handle temperatures below minus 13 degrees, not every system is up to the task. Some homeowners in particularly frigid climates find they need a fuel backup or an electrical heating element, which eliminates many of a heat pump's efficiency advantages.
May struggle in open floor plans: Mini-split systems work best in small to mid-sized rooms. If you have a big open floor plan, they may struggle to bring heat or cool air all the way to the other side of the room, in which case ductwork and vents may be a better choice.
More maintenance: For every indoor air handler you install, you’ll need to replace filters and have a technician check the refrigerant, plus clean the outdoor unit. That means more maintenance work unless you’re only installing a single mini-split unit.
Fewer filtration options: Most mini-split ductless heat pumps have some kind of filtration, but you won’t get the same filtration options you would with a central air unit, which includes options to install a whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier, or an ionic filter.
Ductless mini-split systems can be a great solution for some homes, but they’re not right for everyone.
What kind of a home is a good fit for a ductless heat pump? A heat pump is worth it if:
You live in a historic home without ductwork
You live in a smaller home
You only want to cool or heat one room or section of your home
Your home’s windows can’t support a window unit
You want greater temperature control
You want to increase your home’s energy efficiency
You have multiple people with different temperature needs in the home
You do not want to invest in an HVAC solution for your entire home
Since HVAC systems are complicated, it’s best to consult an HVAC company near you. They’ll be able to tell you which HVAC system is best for your space and help you choose a heat pump that’s the right size for your home.
While ductless heat pumps offer a quality solution to traditional HVAC units, the up-front cost is a bit higher in comparison. On average, ductless heat pumps cost between $1,300 and $8,000, not including labor. On the other hand, a traditional heat pump can cost between $4,500 and $8,000 for an air source unit, up to $10,000 for a hybrid, or go up to $20,000 for geothermal. The cost to install a ductless heat pump will vary based on your home size, temperature control needs, and other factors so you'll want to refer to a local heat pump installer to get a quote.
A heat pump can effectively regulate indoor temperatures by transferring heat between indoor and outdoor environments. This system relies on refrigerant to provide both heating and cooling capabilities. An alternative option is the ductless heat pump, which functions similarly but does not require ductwork for air distribution. Instead, the ductless system utilizes an outdoor unit and indoor air handlers connected by refrigerant lines. This provides zoned heating and cooling directly into individual rooms, increasing flexibility and energy efficiency.
A ductless heat pump can effectively heat a whole house, but its ability to do so depends on various factors, including the size and layout of the house, local climate conditions, and the capacity of the specific system installed. Ductless heat pumps are designed to provide zoned heating and cooling, making them well-suited for individual rooms or smaller spaces. However, in larger houses or in regions with extremely cold winters, it may be necessary to install multiple indoor air handlers or complement the ductless system with another heating source, such as electric resistance heating or a backup furnace, to ensure consistent warmth throughout the entire home.
While the terms mini-split and ductless heat pump are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between the two. A ductless heat pump is a type of heating and cooling system that does not rely on ductwork for air distribution and typically includes an outdoor unit and one or more indoor air handlers.
On the other hand, a mini-split is a specific type of ductless heat pump that consists of both an outdoor unit and either a single indoor air handler or multiple indoor units, providing zoned heating and cooling for individual rooms. While all mini-splits are considered ductless heat pumps, not all ductless heat pumps can be categorized as mini-splits.
