Key Takeaways
- Mini-splits provide heating and cooling and have lower operating costs.
- Central AC systems only cool your home but can cost less to install if you already have ductwork.
- Mini-split installation costs $2,000–$14,500, while central AC costs $3,906–$8,020 without ductwork.
Mini-splits are a type of HVAC system that provides heating and cooling for your home. They make use of heat pumps that transfer heat between your living space and the exterior. Central AC systems work similarly but only in one direction, to provide cooling. Mini-splits require separate wall-mounted units inside your house for each room or major section of your home, while central AC blows air through small, unobtrusive vents in your flooring.
“Central air systems are typically the gold standard for air conditioning an entire home,” said Manish Chhabra, senior product manager for ductless systems at Carrier. “These ducted systems can control the temperature throughout the entire home, ensuring a consistent climate in every room.”
Some homeowners prefer central AC for consistent temperatures throughout the home, and because this type of HVAC system barely disrupts your living space. You won’t need large, wall-mounted units in each room, which some homeowners find unsightly, and they make minimal interior noise.
However, mini-splits allow for more precise multizone cooling, which provides more control over individual rooms and often leads to lower heating and cooling bills.
In this article, we’ll compare mini-split versus central air systems, including some advice from HVAC experts, to help you decide which system is right for your home.
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What’s the Difference Between Mini-Splits and Central AC?
Mini-split systems don’t require ductwork running behind your walls, but you’ll need individual wall-mounted units (ceiling- and floor-mounted units are available but less common) in each area where you want temperature control. They connect to outdoor units that can sit on concrete pads or that are mounted to an exterior wall outside. Mini-splits are more energy-efficient, lead to lower heating and cooling bills, and are more affordable if you don’t already have ductwork.
A central air conditioning system requires ductwork, so it’s a convenient add-on if you have a hot-air heating system that already requires ducts. Central AC systems make use of an outdoor condenser that gets mounted on a concrete pad and an indoor air handler, usually in a utility room, to move cooled air through the ducts. The air handler is usually hidden in an attic or utility room, so it remains out of sight.
Installing mini-splits is a faster and less complicated process if you don’t already have ductwork. You won’t need to take down drywall or pull up flooring to route ducts. However, adding an AC condenser to an existing ducted system — like a forced hot-air heating system — also won’t disrupt your living space much.
| Factor | Mini-Split | Central AC |
|---|---|---|
| Heating/cooling | Both | Cooling only |
| Upfront cost | $2,000–$14,500* | $3,906–$8,020 (excluding ductwork)* |
| Operating cost | Lower | Higher |
| Efficiency | Up to 30% higher | Up to 30% lower |
| Maintenance | Twice per year | Once per year |
| Installation time | Usually longer | Shorter without ductwork |
Cost Comparison: Mini-Splits Vs. Central AC
Mini-splits can be more expensive to install than central AC if you already have ductwork in your home, but it depends on your layout and how many units you need. If you don’t have ductwork already, central AC costs two to three times as much, according to our experts.
Installation Costs
Mini-split installation costs $2,000–$14,5000, while central AC (no ductwork) can cost $3,906–$8,020, according to contractor estimates used by Angi. However, prices for both types of HVAC systems vary based on many factors, including the size of your home, how many temperature zones you want, the efficiency and brand of the systems, and local labor costs.
“Ductless mini-split costs begin around $1,500 and run up to around $6,000 for multizone systems offering 2 to 5 zones,” said Mike Brief, vice president of retail sales for Friedrich Air Conditioning in the New York City area. “Central AC replacement costs $8,000 to $12,000. It can jump to $24,000 to $30,000 if ductwork needs to be installed from scratch.”
Remember that mini-splits provide heating and cooling, while central AC systems only cool your living space. If you need to consider the cost of installing a central AC system and a heating system, mini-splits will almost always be more affordable, especially for smaller homes that only require a few indoor units.
Long-Term Operating Costs
Ductless mini-split systems are often more cost-effective in the long run. This is because they don’t use long stretches of ducts that can leak conditioned air into the space behind your walls. The exact savings you’ll see on heating and cooling costs will vary widely, but in general, you should go with mini-splits if you want reduced utility bills and long-term savings.
Maintenance plays a role in operating costs, too, and mini-splits also tend to be more affordable to maintain. HVAC maintenance costs between $100 and $350, on average. You should budget for two services per year with mini-splits because they provide both heating and cooling, while you’ll only need one service per year for central AC, which only provides cooling. However, mini-splits won’t require duct cleaning, sealing, or repairs.
Sign up for an HVAC maintenance package with an HVAC specialist near you to avoid having to remember to schedule service and to keep your system functioning efficiently.
Energy Efficiency Comparison
“Ductless mini-split systems generally offer higher energy efficiency compared to traditional ducted central air systems,” Chhabra said. Energy losses from leaking ductwork account for up to 30% of your heating and cooling costs when you have central AC, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This isn’t a concern for mini-splits. You also won’t need to pay for duct sealing and repairs, which cost an average of $2,250, according to contractor estimates used by Angi.
Additionally, mini-splits have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings than central AC systems. A SEER rating over 20 for a central AC system is considered good, but ratings top out in the mid-20s. For comparison, the most efficient mini-split from Carrier, a leading brand for AC systems, has a SEER rating of 42.
With both mini-splits and central AC systems, you’ll pay more upfront for equipment with higher efficiency ratings, but the savings you’ll see over time make efficiency a worthwhile investment.
Mini-splits also give you more control over interior temperatures since each air handler controls a different room or portion of your home. You can enjoy greater savings on heating and cooling costs by setting rooms you don’t use often to higher temperatures in the summer or lower temperatures in the winter. Central air conditioning can provide access to zones, but you’ll have less control overall, as most central air systems have a single zone or one zone per floor.
However, “ducted systems can still be more energy-efficient when cooling or heating multiple rooms simultaneously,” Chhabra said. “The best choice depends on your specific needs, home layout, and budget.”
For maximum efficiency, choose a mini-split that has inverter technology. This allows your indoor units to modulate compressor speed based on heating and cooling needs, leaving you with fewer temperature fluctuations and avoiding the AC unit from cycling on and off.
Pros and Cons of Mini-Splits Vs. Central AC
Mini-splits are best for homeowners who want more control over temperatures in different parts of their homes, those who want a more efficient system and lower utility bills, and those who want both heating and cooling capabilities. Central AC is probably right for you if you don’t like the look of mini-split systems mounted to your walls, and if you already have ductwork installed.
Mini-Splits
Pros
- No need for ductwork
- Lower energy bills
- Greater efficiency
- More precise temperature controls
- Heating and cooling
Cons
- Unsightly indoor units
- Shorter lifespan
- More maintenance
Central AC
Pros
- Can tie into existing ductwork
- No large units in your living area
- Quieter operation
- Less frequent maintenance
Cons
- Cooling only
- Requires ductwork
- Lower efficiency
- Fewer zones for temperature control
- More expensive to operate
Which Cooling System Is Right for You?
Neither type of HVAC system is right for everyone, so you’ll need to consider a few factors to decide which is best for your home.
First, think about ductwork. If you have a forced hot-air (FHA) system for heating that uses ductwork, a central air conditioner is probably right for you. You can tie the AC system right into the existing ducts, leading to lower installation costs that are more in line with what you’d pay for ductless systems, according to Brief.
Central AC is also a better option if you want a sleek-looking home interior without large, wall-mounted air handlers. Central AC units use blower motors that are hidden in attics or utility rooms, so they won’t disrupt the aesthetics of your space, nor will they generate as much noise as ductless mini-split units.
Consider your home size and budget next. Larger homes with more rooms will require more indoor units if you go the mini-split route, which often means higher initial costs.
Next, think about climate and efficiency. For the lowest operating costs, go with mini-splits. They cost more upfront but save you money over time, as they don’t have ducts that can leak air and waste energy as central AC systems do. Today’s heat pumps are up to 75% more efficient than furnaces and boilers for heating, so they’re a particularly good option for energy savings and reduced carbon footprint in colder climates.
Finally, consider the space you’re looking to add a system to. Mini-splits are usually more affordable if you’re installing them in a small home or in a single-room addition, especially if you need both heating and cooling solutions. Mini-splits are also more affordable if you’re installing in a small area or in an older home that doesn’t have ductwork installed already.
Next Steps
If you haven’t decided which is the better option for you, start by getting multiple estimates for each system. Prices can vary widely for both, so having a pro on-site to assess your needs is always best. You can even ask each HVAC tech which they think is best for you, depending on home size, whether you need to install ductwork, and your lifestyle.
While they’re on-site, consider opting into a maintenance schedule. “Regular maintenance is crucial for both central air systems and ductless mini splits to ensure efficiency and longevity,” Chhabra said.
It’s a good idea to get a home energy assessment before deciding, too. This will uncover inefficiencies in your house that mini-splits could make up for, identify areas where additional work is needed to maximize utility bill savings, and even identify outdated ductwork that may need replacement and could end up making central AC a more expensive option.
FAQs About Mini-Splits and Central AC
How long do mini-splits last compared to central air systems?
Mini-splits last for 10 to 15 years, but you could get up to 20 years of useful life in less extreme climates if you carry out routine maintenance. For comparison, a central AC system lasts for 15 to 20 years, on average, and you could get more useful life from yours with good maintenance.
Mini-splits provide heating and cooling and will need maintenance twice a year for optimal performance — once in the spring and once in the fall. Central AC systems only provide cooling, so you just need maintenance once a year in the spring.
Can you install a mini-split in an existing home?
Yes, you can install a mini-split in an existing home, and this is often a more affordable and less invasive option than tying in a home addition or an unconditioned area of your living space to your existing central AC system.
Mini-splits use just a small duct that passes through an exterior wall to the outside condenser unit, so installation won’t require removing drywall or routing long ducts behind walls and under flooring. Most HVAC professionals can add a mini-split to your home in a single day.
Do mini-splits work in cold climates?
Modern mini-splits have high-efficiency heat pumps that can function even in cold climates. ENERGY STAR-rated mini-splits can provide ample heating as a standalone system, even in areas where temperatures dip below freezing, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
They’re also excellent options for portions of your home where the ductwork for central heat would need to pass through unconditioned areas, like through an attic or above your garage.
How many mini-splits do I need for my house?
The number of mini-splits you need depends on your square footage and how many rooms you have. A single unit can service up to 2,000 square feet, provided you install the right size mini-split.
However, you’ll need one mini-split per room, so most homeowners install multiple units. You need a mini-split in each bedroom and bathroom that you want to heat or cool to allow for temperature control when the doors are closed, as well as at least one in your main living area.
You may need additional units for especially large living areas. Speak with an HVAC professional to determine the number that’s right for your home.
