By Anne Fonda
A ductless mini-split system that cools but does not heat is a ductless air conditioning system. Ductless air conditioners cool a room or multiple rooms without using ductwork like a standard HVAC system. Instead, an outdoor ductless heat pump connects with the indoor mini-split AC via refrigerant lines.
A ductless mini-split air conditioner cools just one room or a single space where ductwork is not present in your home. Homeowners can install up to eight indoor ductless units throughout their home, all connected to just one outdoor unit, in order to cool multiple spaces at once.
A ductless AC unit, also called a mini-split AC system, is a product that delivers cool air to a single room, or several rooms, where ductwork isn’t possible or wanted. A ductless mini-split AC unit is a great option for new additions, sunrooms, garages, or areas of the home that need to be cooler.
A ductless air conditioner works just like a conventional split central air conditioner in that it has an indoor unit and an outdoor unit (hence the name mini-split system). Unlike a bulky and loud window air conditioner, a quiet ductless air conditioner is mounted to a wall, ceiling, or placed at floor level.
Instead of having a thermostat that controls the whole house, you control the mini-split unit with a remote control or a smartphone app.
You can choose to have one mini-split AC unit in a garage, attic, room over the garage, sunroom, room addition, backyard shed, or other space you need to cool. This is a single-zone system and will cool one space.
On the other hand, you may live in an older home without ductwork or have a lake cabin where you have baseboard heating or radiator heating, but you want to add air conditioning.
That’s where a multi-zone mini-split AC system comes in. You can connect up to 5 indoor units to the outdoor mini-split heat pump. This allows for precise cooling and zone control for individual rooms.
For example, a baby’s room can be kept at one temperature while the kitchen and dining areas are kept at another. Each unit can be set at a different cooling temperature for custom climate control.
Ductless mini-split AC installation is relatively non-invasive. Since you aren’t installing new ductwork, the HVAC installer will cut a small hole in the wall or ceiling to allow the refrigerant lines to connect the indoor and outdoor units. They’ll take care of all of the electrical connections and ensure proper drainage.
Your mini-split AC installation cost will vary based on the efficiency of the outdoor and indoor units, whether you have a single mini-split air conditioner or a zoned system with multiple units, and more.
A ductless air conditioner needs similar care and maintenance as a traditional AC unit. That means cleaning the reusable filter and scheduling professional HVAC maintenance at least once a year. Get mini split HVAC troubleshooting tips and ductless systems maintenance advice to help prolong the life of your system.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Ryan Goodwin, Senior Product Manager, Ductless
Ductless heat pumps work to both heat and cool single spaces or rooms within your home where ductwork is not present. Homeowners can install up to five indoor ductless units throughout their home, all connected to just one outdoor unit, in order to cool multiple spaces at once.
A ductless HVAC system (also called a ductless mini-split or ductless multi-split) is any HVAC system that can heat and/or cool your home without the presence of ducts. Ductless HVAC systems are designed to control the temperature in just one room or space, as opposed to the entire home.
A mini-split HVAC system heats and cools (or just cools) one or more rooms without using a system of ductwork. This is why these systems are also called ductless HVAC systems. A mini-split system is similar to a traditional ducted split system, in that there is an outdoor unit, usually a mini-split heat pump, along with one or more indoor units.
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