Ductless mini-split systems are increasingly popular because they offer practical, efficient cooling in one or multiple areas. They also provide greater temperature control since each indoor unit works independently and can be set to different temperatures, allowing you to cool certain parts of your home without cooling the entire space.
Main Advantages
Mini-splits have several distinct advantages over other room air conditioners:
- Quiet: Because mini-splits use an outdoor compressor, indoor noise from the unit is often softer than window or through-wall ACs.
- Zone Cooling (and Heating if included): While central ACs cool your entire home, including areas you rarely use, zone cooling lets you only cool specific areas of your home, so you don’t waste energy cooling areas you're not in.
- No Ducts: You don’t need to worry about dirty ducts spreading allergens or other particles around your home because they don’t use ductwork. In addition, nearly all ducted systems lose some percentage of performance and efficiency due to leaks, cracks, or disconnections—no ductwork means no performance loss.
- Windows Not Required: Unlike many traditional air conditioners, which require a window for venting and installation, mini-splits are installed directly onto a wall and do not require a window.
NOTE: Most mini-split AC units require professional installation. You must run refrigerant lines indoors from outside your home through a small hole in your wall. When installing a mini-split AC, you'll need to contact an HVAC professional to ensure it runs as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Top Brands and Models for 2024
- Senville Leto 24,000 BTU Mini-Split Heat Pump w/ Wi-Fi: Priced at {{ sylapi_product_price(124099) }}.
- Pioneer Diamante Ultra 9,000 BTU Mini-Split Heat Pump: Priced from {{ sylapi_product_price(123566) }}.
- Senville Aura 36,000 BTU Quad Zone Mini-Split w/ Wi-Fi: Priced from {{ sylapi_product_price(133301) }}.
- MRCOOL DIY Dual Zone 18,000 BTU Mini-Split Heat Pump: Priced at {{ sylapi_product_price(125468) }}.
- Mitsubishi 12,000 BTU Floor Mounted Mini-Split Heat Pump: Priced at {{ sylapi_product_price(111356) }}.
Zones: Single- vs. Multi-Zone
A single-zone ductless split system cools an area of your home using one indoor and outdoor unit. It is popular for rooms without central air ducting. The primary consideration with single-zone ACs is whether the unit has enough power to cover your room's square footage. View single-zone ductless mini-splits.
Multi-zone mini-splits work like single-zone models but cool more parts of your home or business. Each indoor unit (representing a zone) connects to the outdoor unit through the refrigerant lines. There are generally up to 4 indoor zones. If you don’t have central air conditioning, consider using a multi-zone system to cool different areas of your home—which can be on multiple floor levels thanks to long refrigerant lines. Multi-zone models are popular in basements, doctor's offices, and apartments. The single outdoor unit will handle all interior zones, though all indoor units shouldn’t simultaneously run at their highest level for the best results. View multi-zone ductless mini-splits.
Size and Power
Each indoor ductless unit offers a set number of BTUs of cooling power. For single-zone units, you need to know the number of BTUs associated with the indoor unit and ensure it fits the square footage you're cooling.
For multiple zone systems, both the outdoor and indoor units have a BTU rating attached to them. One benefit of a ductless split system is each indoor unit runs independently. Remember that if you're purchasing a multi-zone system, you must look at the BTU rating for each unit (or zone). For example, an AC may use 30,000 BTUs total, with each indoor unit using 9,000 BTUs and the outside unit using 12,000.
Indoor Unit Location Options
Most indoor air conditioning units are hung on a wall using included brackets or suspended from the ceiling using a hanging kit. Be sure your refrigerant lines will reach each indoor hanging unit before you install them. Check your indoor unit’s installation best practices before making a purchase.
Other models now also feature ceiling and floor installation, which gives customers more options for how their space is laid out.
Energy Efficiency
Mini-split systems are efficient ways to cool your home, measured by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER or SEER 2). The higher the SEER 2 rating, the more efficient the unit. In the United States, federal laws require mini-splits to have a 14.3 SEER 2 rating or a 13 SEER rating or higher. Another energy rating to look out for is the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER 2), which looks at energy usage per square foot of cooling. SEER 2 and EER 2 rate your product's efficiency, so keep an eye out for one or the other when comparing products.
Your model should have an estimated yearly operating cost and SEER 2 and EER 2 ratings. The estimated operating cost gives an average dollar amount associated with your model based on operating and maintenance costs. So, if you're comparing two models, check out the estimated yearly cost before purchasing.
Some models now feature "inverter" technology, which can vastly increase a mini-split system's efficiency. Mini-split models with variable-speed compressors and inverter technology can moderate an air conditioner's output based on a space's current conditions.
Additional Modes
Mini-splits can include multiple modes to keep your home full of fresh summer and winter air. Additional modes are popular for people who don’t have central air conditioners and use their mini-split AC as their primary cooling option.
Keep an eye out for these modes for year-round comfort:
- Heat: Mini-split heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another, so turn on heat mode during cooler months with virtually no hassle. You control this mode just like you would Cool mode, and you can typically set your thermostat as high as 88 degrees F. You can view available mini-splits with heat here.
- Dehumidify: Use a dry or dehumidify mode to remove excess moisture from your air. This mode is popular for basements or country areas with humid conditions.
- Fan-Only: Use Fan mode to distribute and circulate air around your space without using Cool mode.
- Automatic: Let your AC do the work for you. Simply select Automatic mode, which chooses a mode and fan speed based on your ambient room temperature.
- Sleep: The Sleep function maintains a pleasant room temperature with quiet operation while you rest.
