Ductless, mini-split heating and cooling units are among the most efficient systems on the San Diego market today. They make a good retrofit add-on to houses with non-ducted heating systems (such as wall or floor furnaces) and also have proven to be a good choice for conditioning room additions where extending or installing new ductwork is not feasible.

Like standard air-source heat pumps, mini splits have two main components -- an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit.  The main difference is that their is no duct work like a traditional heating  cooling system.  Instead each space has its own thermostat and separate indoor unit making  for a much quieter, more efficient design and delivery system.. 

The cost of installing mini splits can sometimes be higher than traditional systems depending on the application and number of zones needed. Over sized or incorrectly located air handlers can result in short cycling, which wastes energy and does not provide proper temperature or humidity control. Too large a system is more expensive to buy and operate. Some customers do not like the appearance of the indoor part of the system. While less obtrusive than a window room air conditioner, these units don’t have the built-in look of a central system. There must also be a place to drain condensate water near the outdoor unit.