A ductless mini-split is a heat pump that delivers heating and cooling straight into the room through an indoor head mounted on the wall or ceiling. It's the most practical way to cool a house with radiators, fix a room that's always too hot or cold, or heat and cool an addition, garage or sunroom without extending ductwork. Kelvin Heating & Cooling installs single-zone and multi-zone systems and plans the layout around how you use each space.

Where mini-splits make the most sense

Homes with radiators — central-air comfort without opening walls to run ducts.
Additions and sunrooms — rooms the existing system was never sized to handle.
Bonus rooms and upper floors — the hot room over the garage or the top floor that never cools down.
Finished basements and garages — workshops, gyms and suites that need their own control.
Homes on electric baseboard — far more efficient heating, plus cooling as a bonus.

How we plan an install

Room by room. We work out the heating and cooling each space needs, so heads aren't oversized for small rooms.
Head placement. Wall, ceiling or floor units placed for even airflow, not just where the wall is easiest.
Line set routing. Refrigerant lines and drains run neatly, with exterior line covers to protect and tidy them.
Outdoor unit. On a raised stand or wall bracket, clear of snow and drip lines.
Electrical. A dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician.

Living with a mini-split

Each indoor head has its own remote or app control, so a bedroom can stay cooler at night while the living room stays comfortable. The indoor filters should be rinsed every few weeks during heavy use, and the outdoor unit kept clear of snow and debris. Because these systems are heat pumps, they also provide efficient heating in spring and fall, which can take a lot of load off the main heating system and lower what it costs to run.

For whole-home systems that use existing ducts, see ducted heat pumps. Mini-splits are a common partner for hot water heating.

What affects the cost of ductless mini-splits

Mini-split prices are driven by the number of indoor heads, their style and the size of the outdoor unit. Single-zone systems cost the least; multi-zone systems add a head and line set for each room. Cold-climate heating models cost more than cooling-focused units. Long line set runs, wall or ceiling penetrations, condensate pumps, line set covers and outdoor brackets all affect the total, along with the dedicated electrical circuit, which is quoted separately.