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Should You Buy a Mini-Split? Everything You Should Know

A mini-split is a solution for your heating and cooling needs that does not require the use of ductwork.

Revised:

August 12th, 2020

So, what's a mini-split? And should you buy one? We'll break it down for you in this video.

Hi, I'm Josh with Fire & Ice and in this video, you will learn everything you need to know about mini-splits. We'll start with the basics. What is a mini-split? What are the pros and cons of a mini-split? What about cost? Is a mini-split right for you? And finally, what to do next? We hope by the end of this video you'll know if a mini-split is right for you.

What’s a mini-split and how does it work?

So, let's jump in and see what as mini-split and how does it work. A mini-split is a solution to your heating and cooling needs that does not require the use of ductwork. A reason to get a mini-split would be if you had a hard to heat or cool room in your house or an addition like a Four Seasons room. That you could provide comfort year-round. Anywhere that you need more specific heating and cooling needs to make yourself comfortable in that room, that your existing duct system is not able to provide that solution for.

What are the pros and cons of a mini-split?

Number two, what are the pros and cons of a mini-split? A mini-split is very quiet operation, and it's also very specific. So, if you want your temperature to be 70 degrees in the summertime, it's 70 degrees or vice versa in the wintertime. So exact temperature control in the home. High efficiency equipment, low energy consumption, and very easy to install.

Some of the downsides are there still needs to be communication between the outdoor and the indoor head. Which means you have to run lines sets for the refrigerant to travel. There's some electrical needs that are there. And most people do not have an existing electrical circuit ready to power up this unit on the outside yet. Sometimes it's not as esthetically pleasing or attractive to have the lines running on the outside of the house. For the lines being exposed, we do have a solution that provides a nice covering for them that is more attractive.

How much does a mini-split cost?

Number three, how much does a mini-split cost? Typical cost can range anywhere between $3,500 and up. Key factors that are very in the pricing is the electrical requirements. How long a line set needs to be. That's what the refrigerant travels from the outdoor to the indoor. How many indoor heads do we have? Is it a single zone system or is it a multi zone system? It depends on the installation requirements to provide an accurate estimate.

Is the mini-split right for you?

Number four is the mini-split right for you. One situation where the mini-split would make sense. Could be a master bedroom and people have different needs or requirements for sleeping temperature.

Well, the thermostat on the first floor and your existing duct system does not allow this. Adding a mini-split system to your home gives you complete comfort control of the of the master bedroom area. To where now if you want it to be warmer at night or cooler at night or during the day or at any time, you have that flexibility. A mini-split may not be a solution when your current ductwork system is adequate and capable of providing you the heating solution requirements that you're looking for.

What are the next steps?

And finally, what are the next steps? If you think in mini-split is right for you, you can check out our product page and select Douglas to see our options. If you would like more information on any of our products, feel free to visit our learning center. We are always looking for a way to make your day better.

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