Frequently Asked Questions

A mini-split is a type of HVAC system that is usually ductless. It consists of an outdoor unit serving one or more indoor units to provide heating cooling.

Mini-splits use refrigerant to transfer heat. The units blow warm or cool air into the room.

By not using duct-work, mini-splits are able to save energy. They are also easier to install than an HVAC system. They offer better temperature control and run quietly.

The filters on mini-splits need to be regularly maintained. A dirty filter restricts the airflow across the inner coil. It reduces the performance of the machine. It also causes the system to overheat, reducing the lifespan of the machine. In extreme cases in severely dirty filters it can damage the machine, damaging the circuit boards or the compressor.

It depends on the environment and usage. A good place to start is checking the unit once a month. You may notice you can go longer, but you may need to clean it every month.

The front hatch of the unit lifts up and there are two washable filters that slide out. One of the easiest ways to clean it is to spray it off outside or in a sink. Dry it off by shaking it off and dabbing it with a paper towel. Then put it back in. It can go back into the unit while still moist. If the unit is still going to be running, you can put it back in and the airflow of the unit will dry it off quickly.

The indoor washable filter on a mini-split is not there to filter the air in your home but just to protect the coil, so to get indoor air purification it is recommended to get an air purifier. Most everything passes through a mini-split filter. Dust mites and allergens will go right through, but the filter will catch the big stuff so that the coil doesn't get dirty. Since the filter is not as fine as a ducted HVAC filter, the coil is going to get dirtier faster than a ducted HVAC so yearly maintenance is more important in that area. People struggling with asthma and allergies are going to need an air purifier.

On a regular HVAC system if the duct work is dirty, you're going to be pushing that air into your house, whereas a mini-split is going to be recirculating the air in your room with no duct work. You could have a brand new HVAC system that would be better for allergies, but if your HVAC is old, then a mini-split is better for allergies. It can be expensive to clean the ducts on an HVAC system.

Generally the odd smells happen when one runs the air conditioner and the shuts it off and the moisture sits on the coil and doesn't dry off. Some modern units have a feature called self-clean and that will run the indoor fan and when you shut the air conditioner off that will continue run the fan until the coil dries. This is a feature that needs to be enabled. If your model doesn't have that, you can just switch it to fan mode and let it run for half an hour until the coil dries off. Generally if you leave it on and have it in ac mode, the fan will run continuously. And if the room is already cooled down and doesn't need to cool any more it will stop cooling but the fan will keep running. So you should not have this problem if it's left on in air conditioner mode.

If the odd smell seems to linger and do not go away, it may be overdue for a service. A professional deep cleaning, which is part of an extensive service, may fix this problem. I've noticed that units that only run in heat tend to not really have an odor problem, so the culprit is more the ac only.

Mini-splits are generally a more economical approach to heating your house than a ducted HVAC system. Here on the Oregon coast in our moderate climate, generally if your house is well insulated you may only need one unit. That would be adequate and the most cost -effective option. You may find that if you like sleeping cooler, you may need two, one for your bedroom and one for the main living area. One unit for the main living area would be adequate for most small homes. A good upgrade for this would be two units, one in living room and one in the master bedroom.

The lines are blurred a bit, but generally a mini-split is under 2 tons in capacity and an HVAC is 2 tons and up in capacity. Most people think of mini-splits as ductless heat pumps, but there are ducted mini-splits. mini-split systems are an ideal choice for smaller houses and living spaces, whereas HVAC systems can work better with larger homes. mini-splits can be installed in a large home serving one area, whereas an HVAC system serves the entire home.

It never hurts to get a quote, even if you're just thinking about it. Quotes are free and non-binding.

Mini-splits are very efficient, usually more so than HVAC systems. You're able to heat and cool much more without the loss of energy through leaking duct work.

Mini-splits, being heat pumps, heat and cool very efficiently.

The outdoor unit on a mini-split unit tends to be quieter than a traditional heat pump. The indoor unit is about the same noise level as a fan. The indoor unit tends to be fairly quiet, with some models offering levels as low as 23 dBA.

Yes, mini-split systems are ideal for houses that have no existing duct-work, or for room additions where extending ducts might be impractical or costly.

Mini-splits tend to last about twelve to fifteen years, but a well maintained system can last even longer.

Maintenance on a mini-split is fairly simple. The primary maintenance is cleaning the filters and making sure the outdoor unit is free from debris. It is recommended to service the unit annually.

Yes, mini-splits come with a high level of customization. One is able to install a single outdoor unit with multiple indoor units to heat and cool different rooms or zones independently.

Mini-splits are able to be used in large homes, but one may need to get multiple indoor units to properly heat and cool the entire living space. With very large homes, a traditional HVAC system may be a better option.

Many mini-splits are designed to work very well in cold climates. This is especially the case for units that are rated as "cold climate" heat pumps. In extremely cold temperatures, however, the efficiency of a mini-split may decrease, and a backup heating source may be necessary.

Usually a mini-split is controlled by a remote, whether wireless or wired, or by a wall-mounted thermostat or a smartphone app. Some models are able to be controlled with smart home systems.

It is recommended to have a mini-split installed by a professional, since installation requires refrigerant handling and electrical work. Installation is much less complex than traditional HVAC systems, and generally takes less time and is less invasive, therefore it is usually a cheaper installation.