Buying Guide

Ducted Heat Pump vs Ductless Mini-Split: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Compare central ducted heat pumps with ductless mini-split systems. Costs, comfort, aesthetics, and efficiency compared for New England homes in 2026.

Ducted Heat Pump

Advantages

+Uses existing ductwork — no visible indoor units on walls
+Even temperature distribution throughout the home
+Single outdoor unit serves the whole house
+Familiar thermostat control — works like your current furnace
+Better for homes with finished rooms and aesthetic concerns
+Air filtration through duct system

Disadvantages

-Requires existing ductwork (or $5,000-15,000 to install)
-Duct losses can reduce efficiency by 15-25%
-Cannot zone individual rooms without dampers
-Larger outdoor unit needed for whole-home capacity
-Not practical for homes without duct access

Best For:

Homes with existing ductwork in good condition
Replacing a central furnace or AC system
Homeowners who prefer invisible HVAC
Open floor plans with consistent heating needs

Ductless Mini-Split

Advantages

+No ductwork required — installs in any room
+Individual room zoning saves 20-30% on energy
+Higher efficiency — no duct losses
+Quieter indoor operation (typically 19-32 dB)
+Lower installation cost for 1-4 room additions
+Each indoor unit has independent temperature control

Disadvantages

-Visible wall-mounted indoor units (some find unattractive)
-Each room needs its own indoor head — 4+ rooms gets expensive
-Doesn't distribute heat through walls and hallways
-Multiple outdoor units may be needed for large homes
-Condensate lines visible on exterior walls

Best For:

Homes without ductwork (older New England homes)
Room additions, garages, or sunrooms
Homeowners who want zone control per room
Supplementing an existing system in problem rooms

NuWatt's Recommendation

For New England homes with existing ductwork in good condition, a ducted heat pump is usually the simpler and more aesthetic choice — it replaces your furnace and uses the same ducts. For older homes without ductwork (common in our region), ductless mini-splits are the clear winner. Many NuWatt installations are hybrid: a ducted system for the main living areas plus 1-2 mini-splits for bedrooms, additions, or problem rooms that the duct system doesn't reach well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine ducted and ductless heat pumps?

Yes, and this is one of the most common setups we install. A ducted heat pump handles the main living areas through existing ductwork, while ductless mini-splits serve bedrooms, additions, or rooms where ducts don't reach. Many Mitsubishi and Fujitsu systems let you run both ducted and ductless indoor units from a single outdoor compressor.

How much does a ductless mini-split system cost?

A single-zone ductless mini-split (one outdoor unit + one indoor head) costs $3,500-6,000 installed. Multi-zone systems with 2-4 indoor heads cost $8,000-18,000. A full-home ductless setup for a 4-bedroom house typically runs $15,000-25,000. State rebates in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut can offset $1,000-11,500 of the cost.

Do ductless mini-splits work in cold climates?

Modern cold-climate mini-splits (like Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat and Fujitsu XLTH) operate down to -13°F to -15°F. They maintain 75-80% of their rated heating capacity at 5°F. For New England winters, cold-climate rated equipment is essential — standard mini-splits lose too much capacity below 20°F.

Are ducted heat pumps as efficient as mini-splits?

The heat pump units themselves have similar efficiency ratings. However, duct losses typically reduce effective efficiency by 15-25%. A mini-split delivering heat directly to a room with no duct losses will use 15-25% less electricity than a ducted system of the same HSPF2 rating. If your existing ducts are well-sealed and insulated, the gap narrows to 10-15%.

How long does installation take?

A ducted heat pump replacement (swapping out an existing furnace) takes 1-2 days. A ductless mini-split single-zone install takes 4-8 hours. Multi-zone ductless systems (3-4 heads) take 2-3 days. If new ductwork is needed, add 3-5 days for duct installation before the heat pump goes in.

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Ducted Heat Pump

Advantages

+Uses existing ductwork — no visible indoor units on walls
+Even temperature distribution throughout the home
+Single outdoor unit serves the whole house
+Familiar thermostat control — works like your current furnace
+Better for homes with finished rooms and aesthetic concerns
+Air filtration through duct system

Disadvantages

-Requires existing ductwork (or $5,000-15,000 to install)
-Duct losses can reduce efficiency by 15-25%
-Cannot zone individual rooms without dampers
-Larger outdoor unit needed for whole-home capacity
-Not practical for homes without duct access

Best For:

Homes with existing ductwork in good condition
Replacing a central furnace or AC system
Homeowners who prefer invisible HVAC
Open floor plans with consistent heating needs

Ductless Mini-Split

Advantages

+No ductwork required — installs in any room
+Individual room zoning saves 20-30% on energy
+Higher efficiency — no duct losses
+Quieter indoor operation (typically 19-32 dB)
+Lower installation cost for 1-4 room additions
+Each indoor unit has independent temperature control

Disadvantages

-Visible wall-mounted indoor units (some find unattractive)
-Each room needs its own indoor head — 4+ rooms gets expensive
-Doesn't distribute heat through walls and hallways
-Multiple outdoor units may be needed for large homes
-Condensate lines visible on exterior walls

Best For:

Homes without ductwork (older New England homes)
Room additions, garages, or sunrooms
Homeowners who want zone control per room
Supplementing an existing system in problem rooms

NuWatt's Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine ducted and ductless heat pumps?

How much does a ductless mini-split system cost?

Do ductless mini-splits work in cold climates?

Are ducted heat pumps as efficient as mini-splits?

How long does installation take?

Update Location

Ducted Heat Pump vs Ductless Mini-Split: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Ducted Heat Pump

Advantages

Disadvantages

Best For:

Ductless Mini-Split

Advantages

Disadvantages

Best For:

NuWatt's Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help Choosing?

Ducted Heat Pump vs Ductless Mini-Split: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Ducted Heat Pump

Advantages

Disadvantages

Best For:

Ductless Mini-Split

Advantages

Disadvantages

Best For:

NuWatt's Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help Choosing?