Central air, window units, or mini-splits: which is right for you?

If you're looking to install a cooling system for your home, you'll likely come across three different options: ductless mini-splits, central air conditioning (central A/C), and traditional window unit air conditioners.

Let's explore the pros and cons of these three systems to learn which cool is right for you.

What are my home cooling options?

Central air conditioning is extremely common in the United States. It’s when that big box outside your home moves hot air out of your home and cool air throughout the ducts and vents. If your home’s vents blow cold air and you don’t have window units, you have central air conditioning. 

Window unit air conditioners are self-contained systems that fit into a window opening. They cool a single room by drawing in warm air, cooling it using a refrigerant, and sending the heat outside.

Mini-split heat pumps, also called ductless heat pumps, work similarly to central air conditioning but they don't require ducts. Instead, that big box outside your home connects to anywhere between one and eight separate air handlers (usually mounted on the wall) which determine the flow of treated air throughout your home. And unlike a traditional central air conditioning system, mini-splits can also provide heat — and they can do it three times more efficiently than a furnace, boiler, or baseboard heating system. That means when you install mini-splits, you're getting two major appliances for the price of one. 

Determining which system is best for you depends on multiple factors including your ideal costs and savings.

What are the pros of central air conditioning?

Quiet and even cooling, no windows required 

Central air conditioning does a better job at maintaining consistent home temperatures than window units. It also carries no risk of falling units or burglary.

What are the pros of window units?

Electric flexibility for renters 

Unlike central AC or mini-splits, window units can be easily removed and stored during cooler months or taken with you if you move to a new home.

Less expensive than central air conditioning

If your home doesn't have existing ducts, installing central AC can get very expensive. It also requires opening up walls, ceilings, and floors to install ducts, vents, and air returns.

Even if your home already has ductwork, you’ll probably save thousands of dollars by purchasing a few window units instead of a traditional condenser unit.

How do mini-splits compare with central AC and window units?

2-in-1 heating and cooling

Unlike window unit ACs or traditional air conditioning, mini-split systems allow you to experience the heating-and-cooling magic of heat pumps without purchasing a whole-home heat pump, which requires ductwork. And since heat pumps are about three times more efficient than gas and electric furnaces, boilers, and baseboard heating systems, you could potentially save $900 per year on your energy bills by heating and cooling your home with a heat pump. 

Some window unit ACs come with a heating function, typically using electric resistance heating. But these units, often called "heat/cool" window units, are less efficient for heating compared to heat pumps. 

If you want the 2-in-1 power and money-saving efficiency of heat pumps but you're renting or unable to install mini-splits, a window unit heat pump may be a great option. These machines are relatively new to the market and currently offered by Gradient and Midea.

No ductwork needed

Most homes lose 20-30 percent of their cooling capability in ducts, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star program. Since mini-split heat pumps don’t require ducts or vents, they’re the most efficient and easiest-to-install cooling option for homes where space is limited, where ductwork would be intrusive and costly, or where windows don’t allow for window unit ACs.

Mini-split air handlers are mounted on the wall and generally come in black or white models. If you want more discreet options, you can purchase floor-mounted, flush ceiling, and ceiling-suspended air handlers. These are more expensive to purchase and install. 

Steady, constant temperature and dehumidification

Most new, high-SEER mini-split systems offer either dual-stage or variable-speed motors. When properly sized, mini-split systems run at lower speeds for longer periods than less efficient central air systems. 

Rather than “kicking on” and blowing in gusts of cool air every so often like traditional air conditioning, or blowing cold air non-stop like window unit ACs do, a mini-split unit gradually pulls moisture and heat from the air all day, keeping a room comfortable while keeping energy use low.

Customized comfort 

Unlike central air conditioning, mini-splits allow for zone control. Up to eight indoor units can be connected to a single outdoor unit and you can change the temperature of each room or area independently of the others. Having individual control of each unit allows you to adjust temperature based on personal preferences and rein in energy bills by only cooling the rooms you want. 

Higher upfront costs than window units 

The energy bill savings produced by mini-splits pay for themselves over time, but installing a mini-split system is more expensive than a single window unit. A single-zone system can cost an average of about $6,600. Multi-zone systems that cover an entire home may cost twice as much or more, but they provide more efficient cooling, as well as heating, and you don’t have to take them in and out of your windows every year!

You may need to upgrade your panel or wiring 

Mini-splits often require electrical work, which can be as simple as running a 220 Volt line to each indoor unit. Some homeowners, especially those with panels less than 100 Amps, will need to upgrade their electric panel to 100 to 200 Amps, but most homeowners can probably electrify without upgrading their electric panel. 

To learn more about mini-split heat pumps, check out our guide here. 

Want to learn more about heat pumps and see if you qualify for federal, state, or local incentives to make the switch more affordable than ever? Learn more about incentives.