What is a ductless mini-split?
A ductless mini-split is a heat pump system that skips ductwork entirely. An outdoor unit connects to one or more indoor "heads" mounted on walls or ceilings, and each head conditions the room it's in. Because there are no ducts to run, it's a common choice for homes that never had them, for additions, and for specific rooms that are hard to heat and cool.
Ductless vs. central ducted
The real difference is how the system distributes air. A ductless setup puts a visible head in each zone, while a central ducted heat pump uses your existing duct runs to condition the whole house from one system. If your home already has good ductwork, central ducted is usually the simpler and more seamless fit. Stephen Lake frames the choice this way:
"For homes that don't have ducting, then absolutely a ductless heat pump system is great. But if you have central ductwork in place, that's absolutely the best system for the home." (listen, 31:31)
Comparing ductless to a whole-home system? See how centrally ducted heat pumps work.
Common questions
Is ductless less efficient? Not on its own. Efficiency comes down to the equipment's SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings and correct sizing, not whether it uses ducts.
Which does Jetson install? Jetson specializes in central ducted systems for homes that already have ductwork. The fastest way to see what fits your home is an price it out from your address.