Mini split vs central air for a 1,600 sq ft ranch
The ductless system costs more up front and runs cheaper. Whether that trade is worth it comes down to one question about your existing ductwork.
A four-zone ductless system puts a head in each conditioned space. Photo: manufacturer press image.
If your ducts are in an unconditioned attic and leak, ductless wins on running cost within about seven years. If your ducts are inside the envelope and sealed, central air is the cheaper answer and the tidier one.
Pros and cons
- No duct losses, which in a leaky attic system can be 25 to 30 percent of delivered capacity
- Genuine room-by-room zoning without dampers
- Very high part-load efficiency
- Each zone fails independently rather than taking the whole house out
- Wall heads are visible and not everyone can live with them
- Higher installed cost for equivalent capacity
- Multi-zone condensers lose efficiency when only one head calls
- More refrigerant line sets means more places to leak
How it compares
| Spec | Ductless, 4 zones | Central air + ducts |
|---|---|---|
| Installed range | $11,500–$19,000 | $8,000–$14,500 |
| Duct losses | None | 10–30% if ducts are in the attic |
| Zoning | Per room, standard | Requires added dampers |
| Visual impact | Wall heads in each room | Registers only |
| Efficiency at part load | Very high | Moderate |
Installed, four zones, national range.
Questions readers ask
Can I keep my existing ducts and add one mini split?
Yes, and for a single problem room that is usually the cheapest fix available. A single-zone head in the room that never gets comfortable costs far less than re-engineering the whole duct system.
Do ductless systems heat well?
Modern cold-climate ductless equipment heats to about 5°F at useful capacity. Below that, capacity drops and you need a backup plan, exactly as with a ducted heat pump.
How loud are the indoor heads?
Typically 19 to 30 dB on low. That is quieter than a central system, because the noisy component is outside and the blower is small.
Does ductless hurt resale value?
Regionally dependent. In the Northeast and Pacific Northwest it is now unremarkable. In markets where central air is the assumed standard, some buyers still read wall heads as a compromise.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR Certified Ductless Heating and Cooling ↗ ENERGY STAR
- AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance ↗ AHRI
- Duct Sealing and Efficiency Losses in Residential Systems ↗ US Department of Energy
