Things to Know Before Installing a Whole-House Ductless System

• Installing a whole-house heat pump is best left to a contractor with experience in professional ductless mini-split installation. The contractor should run a heat load calculation to determine the correct sizing of the overall system.
• A wall-mounted ductless heat pump is a good solution for open areas like entertaining areas, bonus rooms, or open floor plans.
• Outdoor units can be sized to accommodate multiple zones of heating and cooling.
• In snowy climates, the outdoor unit should be mounted above the snow line.

There are multiple location options for ductless systems:

• Wall mounted units are the most common type. They are the least expensive and easiest to install.
• Ceiling recessed systems are the best choice for open floor plans. They send air in four directions at the same time. This choice will require about 10 inches of clearance above the ceiling.
• Floor mounted systems are the easiest in terms of maintenance. They sit near the floor and blow air toward the ceiling.
• Concealed units are installed near the ceiling with only the grilles visible. They have hidden ducts that send air into different rooms.

Whole house ductless systems are composed of multiple parts:

• Refrigerant tubing connects the outdoor unit to the indoor units through a branch box. It can connect five indoor units with individual refrigerant lines.
• Ductless units can be attached to duct work to feed conditioned air into the living space.
• Each unit requires two refrigerant connections, a drain line to remove condensate, a supply duct to bring conditioned air to the living space and a return duct to bring the air back to be heated or cooled.
• Each zone has its own programmable thermostat.

There are upgrades that can be added to your ductless system to improve efficiency:

• Wireless controls allow you to operate your ductless system from anywhere using your phone
• Variable-speed compressors prevent temperature swings and calculate your indoor cooling needs by adjusting refrigerant flow
• Sensors track when you enter a room, signaling the system to turn up. When you leave, it will signal the system to turn down. This will save money and energy.