A ductless heat pump, also known as a ductless mini-split system or ductless air conditioning, is a HVAC system that, as its name suggests, does not require the use of ducts to operate. Despite what the name suggests,ductless heat pumps work both to heat and to cool homes.

A ductless mini split system, in its most basic form, includes one outdoor unit and one indoor unit, connected by refrigerant tubing and electrical wiring. The indoor unit is often wall-mounted, and delivers heated or cooled air directly into the living space – no ductwork needed.

A ductless mini split is a variant to the basic central air setup, but instead of a single condenser feeding a single air handler, a ductless mini split might have multiple air handlers. Central air uses ductwork, and all rooms get the same air treatment; with a mini split, each room is served individually by its own air handler.

A ductless air conditioner system (also known as a mini split AC unit) works by having a condenser outside of your home that pumps heat in and out and cools with refrigerant through copper lines that lead to an indoor air handler unit that distributes the cool air with a fan. They are able to cool and heat your home efficiently.