Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless mini-split is a heat pump that skips the ducts. The outdoor condenser connects to one or more indoor air handlers through a small refrigerant line set. Each handler controls its own zone. For a 1940s Oakland bungalow, a 1960s Berkeley Craftsman, or a Danville bonus room, this is usually the right answer.

Common use cases:

• Historic homes with plaster walls
• Rooms that existing HVAC can’t reach (upstairs bedrooms, bonus rooms, additions, garages, ADUs)
• Whole-home solution for houses without existing ductwork
• Climate zoning so different rooms can hold different temperatures
• Rebate-eligible heat pump replacement strategy

Pricing:

• Single-zone: from $5,500
• 2-zone: from $8,800
• 3-zone: from $12,000
• 4+ zone: quoted per project

Multi-zone design notes:

A multi-zone mini-split is not just one outdoor unit with more lines. Total indoor capacity should not exceed outdoor capacity by more than 130 percent; go higher and the system short-cycles. Pipe lengths matter too. Long horizontal runs need oil traps. Vertical drops over 23 feet need additional consideration. We size and route every install to manufacturer spec, not by rule of thumb.

Electrical reality:

A single-zone install often runs on existing 220V capacity if the house has a free breaker. Larger multi-zone systems (3+ zones) usually want a dedicated 30A or 50A circuit. Older Bay Area homes (1940s to 60s) sometimes max out their panel before HVAC is added. We include an electrical capacity check at the estimate. If a sub-panel is needed, we coordinate with a licensed electrician.

Noise expectations:

Modern Daikin and Mitsubishi indoor units run at 19 to 25 decibels at low fan speed; quieter than a quiet conversation. Outdoor condensers run 45 to 55 dB at full load, which matters for HOA-restricted yards and shared walls. We talk through placement at the estimate.