Not All Mini-Split Heat Pumps are Bulky

There are mini-split options that will look great in any home

One of the most noticable differences between ducted and mini-split heat pumps, other than how they distribute heat through your home, is how they look. Ducted heat pumps have a much more familiar look than most mini-splits—all you see is an indoor air vent in a wall or ceiling. Most ducted heat pumps use the same kind of ducts commonly used with furnaces, so they should be a familiar sight.

Mini-split heat pumps, on the other hand, don’t use ducts. Instead, they are typically individual units that are mounted to a wall or floor. Rather than relying on a central heat pump that heats and cools the entire house, homeowners may have multiple mini-split heat pumps providing heating and cooling in several different zones in their homes.

Some homeowners want the flexibility of mini-split zone heating, but don’t like the way mini-split units look and would prefer to replicate the appearance of ducted heat pumps. Daikin has listened, and we’ve produced a series of slim duct heat pumps that can provide homeowners with a less bulky design without necessitating installing expensive ductwork throughout your home.

What’s the difference between mini-splits and ducted heat pumps?

To understand why ducted heat pumps and mini-splits are designed the way they are, first you need to understand how heat pumps work. They are designed to move heat from outside your home to inside your home and vice versa. This means that they need to have relatively bulky pieces of equipment both inside and outside your home.

Ducted heat pumps locate the indoor unit in a central location and then use ventilation ducts to move the heated or cooled air throughout your home, very similar to how a furnace works. If you don’t have existing ductwork in your home or don’t want to install it, then the indoor part of the heat pump needs to actually be in the room you want to heat and cool—this is what a mini-split heat pump is.

In most cases, the simplest thing to do is hang the indoor unit on the wall. While the units are not particularly obtrusive, they are somewhat bulky. However, some homeowners prefer the appearance of a ducted system. This is where slim duct heat pumps come in.

How do slim duct heat pumps work?

Slim duct heat pumps work exactly the same way as other mini-split heat pumps: there is an outdoor unit and an indoor unit in the room that you want to heat and cool with the heat pump. What makes slim duct mini-splits different is that all of the equipment is hidden within your drywall or ceiling. The only visible part of the unit is a small air vent, similar to what you would see if you had a ducted heat pump.

This makes slim duct heat pumps ideal for any room in your home where a wall unit would be an annoyance (e.g. a room where you are already using the wallspace for another purpose, like hanging art). The vents are small and unobtrusive, making it much easier for them to blend into the background.

Which heat pump is right for me?

If you’re having trouble deciding what kind of heat pump would be right for your home and family, we can help! Find a Daikin dealer near you today and book a free, no-obligation, in-home assessment. Our experts can walk you through the pros and cons of different models.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, download the Daikin product catalogue to get an idea of the range of options available.