Ductless mini split heating and cooling systems are a great new alternative to traditional ducted HVAC systems. A mini split system is similar to a modern heat pump, but as the name implies it does not use any ducts to distribute the heated or cooled air.
A ductless mini split system uses an outdoors compressor/condenser like a heat pump, but indoors it uses a separate individual air handler for each room instead of a central air handler with ducts to blow the air to each room like a heat pump or furnace. Mini-split systems can have anywhere from one to four indoor air handlers for each outdoor unit.
Mini split systems are an excellent alternative to replace older ductless heating systems such as water or oil filled radiators, space heaters, or radiant panels. They are easy to install and only require a three inch hole in the wall to connect indoor air handler to the outdoor unit.
They are also an excellent choice for installation in room additions where extending the ducting would be impractical or where the existing HVAC system would not be large enough to heat and cool the additional space.
Because they do not rely on ducts for air distribution, mini split systems are very efficient. Traditional central heat and air conditioning systems can lose as much as 30% of their heating and cooling energy through the duct system. Also, each indoor air handler in a mini split system has a separate thermostat. Each room can be heated or cooled depending on how it is used resulting in further energy savings.
