Ductless mini-splits near Harrison, NY

What a mini-split is

A ductless mini-split is a heat pump with an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units mounted on walls or ceilings. A small line set runs through the wall to connect them. Each indoor unit has its own control, so you can heat or cool one room without running the whole house. Most mini-splits both heat and cool.

Why they fit older Westchester homes

Many houses in Harrison, Larchmont, Scarsdale, Bronxville and nearby towns heat with a boiler and radiators and have no ductwork. Adding central air to those homes means finding space for ducts, which is often hard. Mini-splits skip the ducts. They are also common for additions, sunrooms, finished attics and converted garages where the existing system never reached well.

• Homes with radiators or baseboard and no ducts
• Rooms that are always too hot or too cold
• Additions, finished attics and basements
• Replacing window air conditioners

Single zone or multi zone

A single-zone system serves one room. A multi-zone system connects several indoor units to one outdoor unit. More zones mean more equipment and labor, so the price rises with each room. A contractor should look at each room's size, windows and insulation to size the indoor units, rather than putting the same size everywhere.

Incentives and planning

Mini-splits are heat pumps, so they may qualify for incentives under New York's Clean Heat program, which runs through the state's utilities. Rules and amounts change, so ask the contractor what applies. Also ask where the outdoor unit and line set will go. On older homes with stone or brick, the route for the lines and the condensate drain deserves a careful look.

Upkeep

Indoor units have washable filters that should be cleaned regularly, often every month or two during heavy use. Keep snow and leaves clear of the outdoor unit. A yearly service visit lets a technician clean the coils and check refrigerant and drainage.

What to expect on install day

A simple single-zone install often takes a day. Multi-zone systems take longer. The crew mounts the indoor units, drills a small hole through the wall for each line set, sets the outdoor unit on a pad or wall bracket, runs the electrical connection and then tests the system. Electrical work and any permit should be handled by the contractor. Ask them to show you how to use the remote or thermostat and how to clean the filters before they leave.

How to send a request

Use the estimate form and choose ductless mini-splits. Tell us your town, how many rooms you want to heat or cool and what heats the house now. We pass the request to an independent installer who serves your area. They contact you, look at the rooms and give you a written price. There is no cost to send a request and no obligation to hire.

Questions homeowners ask