What this covers
A ductless mini-split pairs an outdoor unit with one or more slim indoor heads mounted on a wall, ceiling or floor, each cooling and heating its own room without ducts. Refrigerant lines, a condensate drain and a control cable run through a small hole behind each head to the outdoor unit, inside a cover on the exterior wall. The installer sizes each head for its room, places it where air can wash the space and the drain can run downhill, mounts the outdoor unit on a pad or wall bracket, runs and pressure tests the lines, evacuates and charges the system, and sets up the remotes. The result is quiet, room-by-room control in spaces the central system does not reach.
When to call
- An attic conversion, garage, sunroom or addition the central system does not reach.
- An older home with no ductwork, or a room that is always hotter or colder than the rest.
- A bedroom you want to cool at night without running the whole house.
- A home office or in-law suite that needs its own control.
What to expect
- PlanEach room's load sets the head size, and the head, drain route and outdoor unit location are chosen together.
- MountThe indoor heads are hung on their plates, the wall is drilled, and the outdoor unit set on a pad or bracket.
- ConnectLine sets, drains and cables are run in a cover, the lines are pressure tested, and the system evacuated and charged.
- Set upEach zone is run in heating and cooling, the remotes or app configured, and you learn the controls.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How many heads can one outdoor unit serve?
Single-zone systems serve one room. Multi-zone outdoor units serve several heads, each with its own control, and the installer matches the total to the outdoor unit's capacity.
Where does the condensate go?
Each indoor head drains by gravity through the wall to the outside, or to a small pump when the head sits below the exit point. The installer plans the route before drilling.
Does it heat as well as cool?
Most mini-splits are heat pumps and do both. Cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing, which makes them a full-time solution for many rooms.
Related: Heat pump installation · Air conditioner installation · Attic conversion · All heating, cooling and air quality
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.