Are you looking for an energy efficient way to heat and cool your home? A mini split heat pump is a great option, especially if you’re currently relying on radiator heating and/or window air conditioners.
Mini split heat pumps are a type of air-source heat pump that operates without ductwork. They provide both heating and air conditioning in one and can be used to heat/cool your entire home or to add supplemental heating and cooling to specific areas in your home.
In this guide, we explain what a mini split heat pump is and how it works to help you decide whether a ductless mini split is right for your home. Right now, you can save up to $10,000 on mini split heat pump installation with Mass Save® rebates, or up to $16,000 if you meet income qualifications! Schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment to get started.*
Mini Split Heat Pumps 101
A mini split is a type of air-source heat pump. Air-source heat pumps are, essentially, an air conditioner that can reverse the flow of refrigerant, which allows them to provide both heating and cooling. In the summer, heat pumps work almost exactly the same way an air conditioner does, by absorbing heat from the air inside your home and releasing it outside. In the winter, they can reverse the process, by extracting trace amounts of heat from the air outside and using it to warm the air inside your home.
Mini split heat pumps are a unique type of air-source heat pump that can operate without ductwork. Instead of connecting to air ducts, they feature multiple indoor air handlers (also known as heads or cassettes) that connect to the outdoor unit via a narrow conduit that runs through an exterior wall. The indoor air handlers deliver heated or cooled air directly into the rooms they’re installed in.
Key Components of a Mini Split Heat Pump
A typical mini split heat pump has three main components:
- Outdoor Unit – The outdoor unit looks like a large box with a fan and is installed outside of your home. It’s the workhorse of your mini split, housing the compressor and the condenser coil.
- Indoor Air Handlers – The indoor air handlers can be installed almost anywhere in your home, and will heat/cool the rooms they’re installed in directly. Multiple indoor units can be connected to a single outdoor unit, allowing you to create a customized network that heats/cools some or all of your home.
- Conduit – A conduit (also known as a line set) connects the indoor and outdoor units. It houses a refrigerant line, drain line, and wiring and is run through an exterior wall. Once your mini split is installed, you’ll never see the conduit.
Benefits of a Mini Split Heat Pump vs Traditional HVAC
Mini split heat pumps have many advantages over other types of HVAC systems.
Energy Efficiency
Mini split heat pumps are highly energy efficient for two reasons:
- Mini splits move heat instead of creating it, which is a much more efficient process.
- Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling system efficiency by up to 20% according to ENERGY STAR! Since they don’t have ductwork, mini splits don’t have this problem.
Heat and AC in One
Mini split heat pumps can both heat and cool your home. If you’re thinking about adding air conditioning to your house, installing a mini split heat pump will give you more bang for your buck than an AC system alone.
Easy Comfort Zoning
Each air handler in your mini split system can be operated independently, so you can set different rooms to different temperatures, keeping everyone in your home happy and comfortable.
Learn more about the pros and cons of mini split heat pumps.
Rebates & Incentives for Mini Split Heat Pumps
Ductless mini split heat pumps are eligible for Mass Save rebates! Neeeco can help you save on your mini split installation with Mass Save rebates. All Massachusetts residents can qualify for up to $10,000 in Mass Save heat pump rebates. Income-eligible residents are eligible for additional rebates, up to $16,000—check your eligibility for income-enhanced rebates. We’ve helped hundreds of Massachusetts residents upgrade their home’s energy efficiency and take advantage of savings, and we can help you, too. The first step is to schedule your no-cost Home Energy Assessment. One of our technicians will visit your home, conduct a no-cost assessment, and determine which rebates you’re eligible for. You may qualify for additional savings on weatherization upgrades like insulation, air sealing, replacement windows, and more.
*Some restrictions apply. Offers are subject to change or cancellation. Visit MassSave.com/HEA for full details.