Ductless Mini-Splits

A mini-split is a heat pump that heats and cools without ductwork. An outdoor unit connects to one or more indoor units through a small line set (refrigerant lines, a condensate drain and a control cable) that passes through a hole in the wall only a few inches wide. Each indoor unit has its own controls, so you heat or cool only the spaces you are using.

Because there are no ducts, there is no duct leakage and no ductwork baking in a hot attic. Most mini-splits use variable-speed (inverter) compressors that ramp up and down to match the load. When the system is sized correctly, that means steady temperatures, quiet operation and long, gentle run times that pull moisture out of the air, which matters in a humid Central Texas summer.

A single-zone system pairs one outdoor unit with one indoor unit. It is the simplest and usually the most efficient option for one room or one open area, such as a garage, an addition or a hot bonus room.

A multi-zone system connects several indoor units to one outdoor unit. It saves space outside and works well when you want to condition several rooms without ducts. The trade-off is that each indoor unit has to be matched carefully to its room. An oversized unit in a small bedroom short-cycles and leaves the room cold and clammy. In some homes, two single-zone systems are the better answer, and we will explain why when that is the case.

• Wall-mounted: the most common style. It mounts high on a wall and is usually the most economical choice.
• Ceiling cassette: sits nearly flush in the ceiling and blows air in several directions. It needs room in the ceiling or attic above.
• Floor-mounted (console): sits low on a wall. Handy under windows, in rooms with sloped ceilings, and in rooms where heating matters most.
• Ducted (concealed or slim duct): a compact air handler hidden in an attic, closet or soffit that serves one or a few rooms through short duct runs, so you see only grilles.

Mixing styles on one multi-zone system is common, for example a cassette in the living room and wall units in the bedrooms.

Yes. Mini-splits are heat pumps, so the same system that cools in August heats in January by moving heat from the outdoor air into your home. Heating efficiency is rated in HSPF2 and cooling efficiency in SEER2.

Cold-climate models, such as Mitsubishi Electric’s Hyper-Heat line, are designed to keep more of their heating capacity at low outdoor temperatures. That is worth considering for a room that has to stay warm during a hard freeze. Read Can a Heat Pump Keep Up With a Texas Freeze? for more, or see our heat pump services.

Sizing by square footage alone is how mini-splits end up oversized. We run an ACCA Manual J load calculation for the rooms being served, accounting for windows, sun exposure, insulation, ceiling height and how the space is used. A west-facing bonus room over a garage needs a very different unit than a shaded bedroom in a 1930s bungalow.

Right-sizing matters more in Austin than in many places. An oversized unit cools the air quickly but does not run long enough to remove moisture. We also plan the details that decide how the system looks and lasts: where the line set runs and how it is covered, where the condensate drains, how the outdoor unit is mounted, and where the electrical circuit comes from.

Gold Eagle Services is a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor. Diamond is the top tier of Mitsubishi Electric’s contractor program, reserved for contractors who meet the manufacturer’s training and program requirements. For you, that means the team installing your system is trained on the equipment and has direct manufacturer support when questions come up. Learn more about our Mitsubishi Electric partnership.

We are also a GE Elite Dealer, so we can offer GE ductless systems as well. We will compare options honestly based on your space, how you use it and your budget.

Already have a mini-split that is not cooling, is blinking an error code or is dripping water? See our ductless mini-split repair and service page. We repair and deep-clean all major brands, not just the systems we install.

Every ductless project is different. The main things that drive cost are:

• The number of zones and indoor units
• Indoor unit style (cassettes and ducted units take more labor than wall units)
• Line set length, routing and covers
• Electrical work, including whether your panel has room for a new circuit
• Efficiency level and cold-climate features
• Permits and any wall, ceiling or attic work

Call for a quote at 512-489-4653 or schedule online. Austin Energy customers may qualify for rebates on qualifying high-efficiency systems; see our rebates page and check current program terms.

Want to understand your options before you call? Our homeowner guides on mini-splits and ductless systems are written by our team for Central Texas homes.

• Exploring Different Types of Mini-Split Systems
• Multi-Head Mini-Split Units: Versatile Comfort for Your Home
• Why Mini-Splits Are a Good Alternative to Zoning
• Enhancing Home Comfort With Mini-Splits
• Why Mitsubishi Electric Is a Leader in Mini-Split Design
• Can a Heat Pump Keep Up With a Texas Freeze?

Browse all homeowner guides in the Gold Eagle Resource Center