When shopping for a heating and cooling system for your home, it’s crucial to choose one that balances efficiency, performance and budget. That’s why many property owners use mini-splits to heat and cool their home.

Mini-splits—often known as ductless mini-splits—provide several advantages that make them a popular option for both homes and businesses. They're very energy efficient, decreasing energy consumption and saving on utility costs, because they avoid the energy losses affiliated with the ductwork found in traditional HVAC systems. They also allow users to tailor the temperature in each room, boosting overall comfort while not wasting energy.

If you’re contemplating mini-split installation in Columbus, it’s important to first find out if these devices are the right solution for your living situation. Here, we’ll examine how mini-splits measure up to other heating and cooling devices and appliances.

What a Mini-Split Is and How It Works

A mini-split, or ductless mini-split, is a heating and cooling mechanism that has no ductwork. It's a popular choice in homes that don't have pre-existing air ducts and for homes with rooms that aren’t served well by the home's existing HVAC system.

A mini-split system has two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling component. They are attached by a conduit carrying the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.

Here's how it works: the exterior compressor moves the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange within the coils and the air handler. The in-house component brings in air from the room, cools or heats it over the coils and pushes the conditioned air back into the room.

Mini-Split vs. Central Air

Mini-splits provide targeted cooling in specific rooms or zones of your home. They are known for energy efficiency because they only heat or cool the areas you want. However, they may not blend seamlessly into every location due to the fact they have wall-mounted indoor units.

On the contrary, a central air system uniformly chills your entire home, keeping consistent comfort levels throughout. Its ductwork is tucked away in a mechanical room or closet, preserving the aesthetics of your home. However, it will likely not be as energy efficient as a mini-split, especially in quite sizeable homes or residences where certain spaces may not need nonstop conditioning.

Mini-Split vs. Window AC/Window Unit

Mini-splits are typically more energy efficient and quieter than a window air conditioning unit and are useful for cooling air in multiple rooms. This is why mini-splits are a flexible option for many homeowners. They also utilize a form of refrigerant that is more eco-friendly, reducing their environmental impact. These units can even add value to your home due to their reliable nature and exceptional cooling capabilities. However, they come with a larger initial investment.

Having said that, window AC units are less expensive initially. They are often a good fit for homes that are not able to accommodate a central AC system or for homeowners with budget constraints. Despite these advantages, window units can consume up to 40% more energy than ductless mini-split systems and typically make more noise.

Mini-Split vs. Portable AC

The answer to what is better, a ductless mini-split or a portable air conditioning unit, depends on your priorities. If your main considerations are energy efficiency and cooling capability, a mini-split is heads and shoulders better than a portable AC unit. However, if finances is a major concern, a portable AC is less expensive.

Mini-Split vs. Gas Furnace

The choice between a mini-split system and a gas furnace depends on an assortment of factors including the climate in your city, home size, energy efficiency needs and how much you plan on spending.

A mini-split system most of the time is more energy efficient than a gas furnace. It can heat and cool defined areas in your home, providing custom climate control in individual rooms. Mini-splits also are for the most part quieter and have a higher up-front cost, but their operating costs are usually less due to their superior energy efficiency.

However, a gas furnace can be a very effective heating solution, particularly in colder climates where mini-split heat pumps may fail to maintain comfort levels in the bitter cold. Although they are less energy efficient than mini-splits, gas furnaces ordinarily are not as expensive. But, their operating costs can be higher, especially if natural gas prices skyrocket.

Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump

Mini-splits and heat pumps use the process of heat transfer. They are both energy efficient, but a heat pump's duct system can cause more energy usage. This difference aside, the choice between a mini-split and a heat pump often relies on a family's needs and circumstances.

For example, if you are living in a warmer climate and mainly need cooling, a mini-split system might be a more effective choice. However, if you want both heating and cooling and already have ductwork in place, a heat pump could be a more efficient option.

Mini-Split vs. Space Heater

In regards to heating and cooling a home, mini-splits and space heaters each have merits. However, for all around efficiency, versatility, comfort and safety, mini-splits come out on top. Mini-splits supply superior energy efficiency due to the fact they deliver conditioned air directly to different zones and can serve several rooms at once.

Space heaters are a great deal less expensive to buy but are typically reserved for heating a limited area or just one room. They also can be less energy efficient. In contrast to mini-splits, space heaters do not provide cooling. The most significant drawback for space heaters is the risk of fire. Authorities say some 1,700 fires each year involve space heaters.