Central AC vs ductless mini-split

Central AC cools the whole house through existing ductwork. A ductless mini-split targets specific rooms without ducts. Compare costs, efficiency, and which fits your home.

Central AC uses an outdoor condenser connected to an indoor air handler that pushes cooled air through ductwork to every room. Installation costs $3,500–$7,500 for a new system in a home with existing ducts; adding ductwork to a home without it runs $7,000–$15,000+. Efficiency: 14–22 SEER for modern units. A ductless mini-split places an indoor head unit on the wall of each zone, connected by a small refrigerant line to an outdoor compressor. Single-zone systems cost $1,500–$4,000 installed; multi-zone (3–4 heads) runs $5,000–$15,000. Efficiency: 18–33 SEER — ductless systems are inherently more efficient because they eliminate duct losses (20–30% of energy in typical duct systems). Comfort comparison: central AC provides whole-home consistent temperature but can't easily zone individual rooms. Mini-splits offer room-by-room temperature control — set the bedroom to 68°F and the living room to 74°F. Operating costs: a 3-ton central AC uses ~3,500 kWh/year in a moderate climate; an equivalent mini-split setup uses 2,400–2,800 kWh/year.