As you likely gather from its name, a mini-split/ductless system is a split system, which means it has components that are located inside and outside the home. However, unlike traditional split HVAC systems, it does not rely on air ducts to route air throughout your home. Rather, a mini-split/ductless system is designed to heat or cool a single room, a zone or an addition toy our home that may lack or cannot accommodate ductwork.
A mini-split/ductless system is powered by electricity and comprised of a relatively small outdoor condensing unit and a compact indoor evaporator unit, which hangs on the wall to control and direct airflow. The “mini” in this type of HVAC system’s name is a direct reference to the indoor unit’s diminutive size and inconspicuous appearance. The indoor and outdoor components are connected via copper refrigerant tubing and electrical wiring, requiring an opening just three inches or less in diameter.
Widely recognized for their energy efficiency and extremely popular outside the United States, where ducted HVAC systems are rare, the mini-split/ductless systems are an excellent option for attics or garages that have been converted to living space, or for home additions that would require extending your existing ductwork. 