Ductless heat pumps offer both heating and cooling capabilities to provide year-round comfort. They allow you to adjust the climate of individual rooms or zones independently of one another.
You’ve probably used a mini-split system while staying in a hotel. They’re incredibly common in the hospitality industry because they let each guest adjust the climate of their room to match their personal preferences. Plus, ductless systems are one of the most energy-efficient ways to manage the temperatures inside your home or business.
Because of their multi-purpose functionality, ductless heat pumps go by a variety of names:
- Mini-split systems
- Mini-split air conditioners
- Ductless mini-split systems
- Ductless heat pump systems
- Ductless air conditioners
Although there may be slight technical differences between some of these terms, they’re often used interchangeably.
What Is a Ductless System?
A ductless heating or cooling system requires no ductwork. In a traditional HVAC system, ductwork runs through the ceilings and walls to push heated or cooled air throughout the entire house. This type of system has its place, but it’s costly. Repairing ductwork also isn’t easy, as it requires getting behind a wall. Adding or replacing ductwork is also messy and expensive.
A ductless system, on the other hand, uses units inside and outside the home. These units heat or cool one room, or one can place multiple units in several rooms. No ductwork behind the walls or in the ceilings is needed.
Ductless Heat Pumps
Ductless heat pumps can cool and heat a home. They work by extracting air from one area and then heating or cooling it before bringing it into the rest of the home. Some benefits of ductless heat pumps include:
- Aiding systems that are at full capacity
- No ductwork is required
- Helping a room that doesn’t heat or cool well with the current system
- Customizable: each unit has its own thermostat
- Easy installation
- Many design and installation choices
The biggest difference between ductless heat pumps and air conditioners is that a heat pump covers both heat and cooling. An air conditioner only cools.
Ductless Air Conditioners
As we mentioned, air conditioners only cool the air. They grab warm air from outside and use refrigerant to cool it as it comes into the house. An air conditioner is great if you’re trying to improve the comfort level of just one room. It also works well if you live in a warm climate that never gets cold. In that case, heat isn’t necessary, and a heat pump would be more than you need.
When you’re deciding between a heat pump and an air conditioner, consider the climate and how often you need a unit to control the temperature of a room or the house. Ductless systems are environmentally friendly, and they require no ductwork. They offer cost savings in the long run.