What Is a Mini Split?

How a mini split is built

A mini split has two main parts: an outdoor condenser and one or more indoor heads. A slim line set carrying refrigerant and wiring runs between them through a small hole in the wall. The indoor head blows conditioned air right into the room, so there are no ducts to route or lose energy through.

Why ductless matters

No duct losses

Central systems can lose a meaningful share of their conditioned air through duct leaks. A mini split delivers straight into the room.

Room-by-room control

Each indoor head has its own thermostat, so you can heat or cool only the rooms in use, at the temperature each room wants.

Works without ductwork

Mini splits are ideal for additions, garages, older homes with no ducts, or any space a central system cannot reach.

Single and multi-zone

A single-zone mini split pairs one outdoor unit with one indoor head for a single room. A multi-zone system runs several heads off one outdoor unit to condition several rooms. Most mini splits are heat pumps, so they both heat and cool, and many are designed for DIY-friendly installation.