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Ductless mini-split AC installation delivers targeted cooling to specific rooms without adding ductwork. Perfect when you already have heat but need affordable air conditioning.
Both use the same installation process. The difference is what they do and what they cost.
$2,000-$3,500
Single-zone installed
$3,000-$5,000
Single-zone installed
Bottom line: If you already have heat (furnace, boiler, radiators), save money with cooling-only. If you need both heating and cooling, a heat pump is worth the extra cost.
Cooling-only mini-splits are perfect when you already have a heat source but need affordable air conditioning for specific rooms.
You added a room onto your home that ties into your existing boiler or baseboard heat. You need cooling but heating is already covered. AC-only saves $500-$1,500.
You use your garage in summer but not winter. Why pay for heating you won't use? Cooling-only keeps your workspace comfortable when it matters.
Three-season sunrooms get unbearably hot in summer but aren't used in winter. Cooling-only provides summer comfort without heating you don't need.
These rooms are often too far from your furnace to heat efficiently. If you've solved heating with electric baseboard or a space heater, add cooling-only AC.
Your home office has radiator heat but no cooling. Add ductless AC for summer comfort without paying for redundant heating capability.
Heat rises naturally, so your attic bedroom stays warm in winter. But in summer, it's an oven. Cooling-only AC solves the problem affordably.
Chicago has thousands of older homes with radiator heat, boilers, and steam systems. These homes have heat covered but no central air. Ductless cooling-only mini-splits are the perfect solution.
Your boiler keeps you warm all winter, but summers are miserable. Add cooling-only mini-splits to bedrooms and living room without ripping out walls for ductwork.
You work on projects in summer but the garage sits empty in winter. A small space heater handles the occasional cold day. Cool the space affordably with AC-only.
Your unit has radiator heat but the upstairs tenant has central air. Rather than paying for a full heat pump system, add cooling-only to match what you actually need.
Your beautiful old radiators provide excellent heat. Adding ductwork would destroy original plaster and trim. Ductless AC preserves your home's character while adding modern cooling.
Heat pumps are amazing when you need both heating and cooling. But if you already have a furnace, boiler, or radiators that work great, why pay an extra $500-$1,500 for heating components you'll never use?
Cooling-only and heat pump mini-splits install exactly the same way. The only difference is what's inside the outdoor unit.
Wall-mounted air handler goes inside the room you want to cool, typically 7 feet high.
One small hole through the wall connects indoor and outdoor units. That's it. No ductwork.
Compact compressor unit mounts on pad or brackets outside. Connects via refrigerant lines.
We verify cooling performance and show you how to use the remote. Done in 4-6 hours.
Installing central air with ductwork takes 3-5 days and costs $8,000-$15,000. Ductless AC takes one day, costs $2,000-$3,500, and doesn't tear your home apart.
Identical installation. Different capabilities. Different price.
One room, cooling only
Two rooms, cooling only
3-4 rooms, cooling only
One room, heating + cooling
Two rooms, heating + cooling
3-4 rooms, heating + cooling
Pricing includes professional installation, startup, and warranty registration. Free estimates with exact pricing for your specific situation.
Same trusted brands for both cooling-only and heat pump systems.
Industry leader. Whisper-quiet operation. Up to 30 SEER efficiency. 12-year warranty.
Excellent reliability. Great value. Wide range of capacities. Strong warranty support.
Budget-friendly option. Reliable cooling performance. Good warranty coverage.
Single-zone cooling-only systems cost $2,000-$3,500 installed. Multi-zone systems (2-4 rooms) run $4,000-$7,000. This is $500-$1,500 cheaper per zone than heat pump versions.
If you already have heat (furnace, boiler, radiators, baseboard), save money with cooling-only. If you need both heating and cooling - or want backup heat - spend the extra $500-$1,500 for a heat pump.
No - you can't convert a cooling-only mini-split to a heat pump. You'd need to replace the outdoor unit. If you think you might want heating someday, get the heat pump from the start.
Very efficient - up to 25-30 SEER compared to 14-18 for traditional central AC. No ductwork means no energy loss. Inverter technology adjusts output precisely to match demand.
Single-zone installations take 4-6 hours. Multi-zone systems take 1 day. We drill one small 3-inch hole per indoor unit - no ductwork, no major renovation.
Incredibly quiet. Indoor units operate at 19-32 decibels - quieter than a library. Outdoor units are also much quieter than traditional AC condensers.
Get a free estimate for cooling-only ductless mini-split installation. We'll help you decide if AC-only or a heat pump makes sense for your situation.