DUCTLESS MINI-SPLIT HEATING & COOLING
Ductless Mini-Split Installation in Plymouth & the West Metro
Brass Tacks Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs ductless mini-split heat pumps in Plymouth, MN and throughout the Twin Cities West Metro. A mini-split heats and cools a room or zone without ductwork, which makes it a good fit for additions, finished basements, homes with boiler heat and rooms that never stay comfortable.
We’ll look at the space, size the system correctly and give you an upfront price before any work begins.
Where a Ductless Mini-Split Fits Best
A ductless mini-split is a heat pump with an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units on the wall, ceiling or floor. Because it needs no ductwork, it solves heating and cooling problems that a central system can't reach easily.
Homes without ductwork
Homes heated by a boiler, radiant heat or space heaters can add efficient cooling and heating without installing ducts. The U.S. Department of Energy lists these retrofits as a good use for mini-splits.
Additions and finished spaces
A new addition, finished basement, attic room or garage space where extending ductwork isn't practical can get its own indoor unit and thermostat.
Rooms that are always too hot or cold
A bonus room over the garage or a sunroom that never matches the rest of the house can be zoned on its own, so you are not overheating or overcooling the whole home to fix one room.
Very efficient homes
Tight, well-insulated newer homes that only need a small heating and cooling system are another good fit, according to the DOE.
What Happens During a Mini-Split Installation
Most of the work is planning: the right size, the right indoor unit locations and a clean route for the line set and drain.
Look at the space
We measure the rooms, look at windows, insulation and sun exposure, and talk about how you use the space. An oversized or poorly placed unit short-cycles and wastes energy, so sizing comes first.
Choose indoor units
Indoor units come in wall-mounted, ceiling and floor-standing styles. Many systems can connect up to four indoor units to one outdoor unit, each with its own thermostat.
Run the line set
A conduit carries power, refrigerant lines and the condensate drain between the units. It usually needs only a three-inch hole through the wall, and the outdoor unit can sit up to 50 feet from the indoor unit.
Drain, start up and set controls
Condensate has to drain outdoors. We start the system, check it is running correctly and set up the controls, including optional Wi-Fi control.
Ductless Heating & Cooling Options
We'll recommend the simplest system that solves the problem, and we'll tell you if a ducted option makes more sense for your home.
Single-zone systems
One outdoor unit and one indoor unit for a single room or open area, like an addition, bonus room or finished basement.
Multi-zone systems
One outdoor unit serving several indoor units, so different rooms can be set to different temperatures.
Wi-Fi control
A Wi-Fi module lets you adjust and monitor the system from your phone.
Dehumidification
A dehumidifier can be added to the mini-split system to help control indoor humidity.
Mini-Split Efficiency at a Glance
Mini-splits avoid the energy lost in ductwork, which is one of the main reasons they can be efficient.
No duct losses
The U.S. Department of Energy says duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy use for heating and cooling, especially when ducts run through unconditioned spaces. Mini-splits have no ducts.
High efficiency ratings
According to the DOE, ductless mini-splits are rated from 15.2 to 35 SEER2, compared with 15.2 to 25 SEER2 for ducted heat pumps.
Up to four zones per outdoor unit
Many models support up to four indoor units on one outdoor unit, each with its own thermostat.
The trade-offs
Installation can cost more up front than some other systems, some people don't like the look of the indoor units, and the condensate needs a drain to the outdoors. We go over all of this before you decide.
Pay Over Time
Brass Tacks offers financing through GreenSky, so you can add heating and cooling now and pay over time with approved credit. Financing is subject to credit approval and terms offered by participating lenders.
Ductless Mini-Split FAQs
Thinking About a Mini-Split?
Tell us about the room or the home you want to heat and cool. We'll look at the space, explain your options honestly and give you an upfront price before any work begins.