Ductless AC Installation in the Twin Cities, MN

Mini-Split AC Installer across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Surrounding Areas

At Dean’s Home Services, we understand Minnesota’s comfort challenges. When the winter cold gives in to relentless summer heat, you need fresh, cool air at home. Our team of certified technicians designs and installs ductless air conditioning systems, which deliver precise room-by-room comfort. Read our 5 Star Reviews, and you will know we ensure your system provides dependable year-round performance. A ductless AC, or mini-split, gives you more consistent comfort and improves energy efficiency.

Contact Dean’s Home Services for a free estimate for ductless mini-split installation across the Twin Cities.

What Is a Ductless AC System?

Central air conditioning systems use ductwork to circulate air. A ductless heating and cooling system needs no air ducts. A line set (containing refrigerant tubing, a power cable, and condensate drain) connects the outdoor condensing unit to one or more indoor air handlers, each providing cool air to a single room. These indoor units can be mounted on an interior wall, on the floor, or in a drop ceiling.

Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning for Minnesota Homes

If you’re thinking of upgrading your AC system or considering ductless air conditioning for an older home, smaller apartment, or room addition, you are likely to see the following benefits:

• Compact Size: Ductless mini-split units are relatively small compared to standard air handlers. They mount to a wall and can fit in with your décor, or can be placed at floor level or a drop ceiling. A mini-split is an ideal option if you don’t have the space for air ducts or a bulky air handler.
• Flexible Setup: Up to four mini-splits can be connected to the condenser unit (more depending on the model). Each has its own thermostat, allowing for zoned temperature control. Each room can be set to a temperature that its occupant prefers, or turned off if no one is there.
• Simple Installation: Ductless HVAC installation is relatively simple. Instead of installing ductwork, technicians drill a small hole through the wall for the conduit connecting the outdoor and indoor units. These can be placed up to 50 feet apart from one another, allowing for more flexible installations.
• Design Options: Air handlers can be hung on walls, but if you don’t have the wall space, they can be mounted flush in a drop ceiling or placed on the floor. They have sleek designs with neutral colors that fit practically any setting. Systems can be configured to meet your home’s unique cooling needs.
• Energy Efficiency: With no ductwork, mini-splits avoid energy losses due to duct leaks, loose connections, or poor insulation. Issues related to improperly sized or designed ductwork are also avoided. A ductless cooling system can yield significant reductions in energy consumption.
• Dual Performance: Some ductless systems include heat pumps. They provide cooling in summer, but reversing the refrigerant flow enables them to heat your home in winter. A single system provides reliable year-round performance.
• Quiet Operation: Ductless units generally produce less noise than central ducted AC systems. They can be whisper-quiet. You won’t hear humming motors or popping or pinging sounds from ductwork expanding or contracting.

Signs Your Home Is a Good Fit for Ductless AC

You may consider installing a ductless air conditioner for various reasons. If you’re not sure a ductless mini-split is a good upgrade for your home, here are some signs that you could benefit from having Dean’s Home Services install one:

• Existing ductwork is leaking or inefficient.
• A lack of space for large, metal air ducts.
• You’re converting a basement, garage, or attic to a living space.
• Top-floor rooms are always too hot or too cold.
• Members of your household can’t agree on a single temperature.
• Your ducts are filled with dust, dirt, or mold.
• Your central AC or window units are too noisy.
• Energy bills are too high.

Ideal Rooms for Mini Split Installation

At Dean’s Home Services, we often help our customers set up ductless air conditioning in frequently used areas with temperature fluctuations, including:

• Bedrooms: More precise temperature control can help improve sleep quality.
• Living Rooms: Optimal comfort is preferred in a centralized gathering space.
• Home Offices: Personalized comfort in a workspace saves energy and can boost productivity.
• Room Additions/Sunrooms: Mini-splits control temperatures in spaces that ductwork doesn’t reach.
• Garages/Workshops: Your garage or workshop can be a comfortable, productive space.

Single-Zone vs. Multi-Zone Ductless Systems

A single-zone system is the simplest type of mini-split installation. Consisting of just one outdoor unit and one indoor unit, it provides temperature control for a single area. The benefits include a lower cost, simpler and faster installation, and an efficient cooling solution for a single room or space.

Multi-zone systems come with a higher initial cost and installation complexity, but let you create distinct temperature zones in your home. You can control indoor units individually or adjust settings for multiple air handlers from a single thermostat. Precise, customized comfort helps improve the energy efficiency of your entire home.

How Ductless AC Installation Works

Our team has been trusted since 1996 for high-quality service. Once our technicians find the right mini-split, an installation date is set, and they arrive when expected to begin the process. The indoor unit(s) are mounted using metal brackets. A 3-inch hole is then drilled through an exterior wall, and the conduit is fitted through (rather than breaking up walls and ceilings to place ductwork).

Next, the line set with the refrigerant line, drain hose, and cable is run through the tube. The set is placed at a slight downward angle for proper drainage. The condenser unit is placed outside on a concrete pad and wired. After the indoor and outdoor units are connected, our technicians test the system to ensure it works as expected. 

Choosing the Right Mini Split Size for Your Home

When installing a ductless air conditioner, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Proper sizing improves energy efficiency, comfort, and equipment longevity as well as saves on energy and maintenance costs. It also avoids issues such as short cycling and continuous running that can stress components.

To avoid oversizing or undersizing your mini-split, we take the following considerations into account:

• Room Size: The size of each room served by a mini-split unit is calculated in square feet (length × width).
• British Thermal Units (BTUs): Multiply the room’s square footage by 25; a 150 square foot room requires about 6,000 BTUs, while a 600 square foot room needs 18,000 BTUs.
• Ceiling Height: Higher ceilings add space and affect air circulation; the system needs to be sized accordingly, especially for ceilings higher than 8 feet.
• Insulation: Good insulation holds in conditioned air better than if low-quality materials are used or the room lacks insulation.
• Climate: In areas with extreme hot or cold weather, mini-split systems must be larger to maintain indoor comfort.

While indoor units must be sized to accommodate individual spaces, the outdoor unit must be selected based on the square footage of your entire home.

Can Ductless Systems Provide Heating and Cooling?

If you want a system that heats and cools your home, Dean’s Home Services can install a ductless heat pump. It works by transferring heat rather than generating it directly, saving even more energy. Not all mini-splits are heat pumps. Therefore, it’s important to consult with our professionals for help finding a solution that meets your needs.

How Ductless AC Improves Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality improvements are another perk of ductless air conditioning. With traditional ducted systems, dust, pollen, mold spores, and other contaminants can travel through and get trapped in ductwork. Duct leaks can exacerbate the problem. The absence of ducts reduces the risk of air pollution, while the advanced filters in most mini-splits capture small particles and even organic material like bacteria.

How to Care for Your Ductless AC System

Your ductless mini-split should be maintained by a professional at least once a year. If it provides heating and cooling, we recommend servicing it twice a year, but there are a few things you can do in the months between service visits.

Follow these tips so that your ductless AC keeps you comfortable and runs efficiently:

• Inspect the indoor unit’s air filter every 4-6 weeks.
• Change or clean the filter if it’s dirty or clogged.
• Clean the cabinet with a dry cloth or a small vacuum.
• Clean any leaves or debris from the outdoor unit.
• Trim shrubs away from the condenser unit.
• Power off the outdoor unit, and clean the coils with a garden hose on low pressure.

Why Professional Installation Matters

Professional ductless AC installation ensures you get the most out of your investment. The licensed technicians at Dean’s perform load calculations so the units are properly sized. This optimizes performance, comfort, and efficiency. Precise installation, from proper placement to insulating refrigerant lines to carefully connecting electrical wiring, is essential, as is testing the system for leaks and other issues.

Diligence and attention to detail ensure your system provides reliable cooling, uses less energy, and lasts with fewer ductless mini split repairs, so you can see long-term savings.

Why Homeowners in the Twin Cities Choose Dean’s Home Services

Homeowners in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding communities choose Dean’s for ductless mini-split installation because of our:

• Reputation: We have a long-standing reputation in the Twin Cities area and are trusted by homeowners to meet their comfort challenges.
• Experience: Our team has 100+ years of combined experience, so you can count on us to get your ductless installation done right.
• Quality: Top-quality brands, products, and workmanship mean you get the best service possible for jobs large or small.
• Family-Owned: Dean’s is a family-owned and operated business and incorporates family values into every service call.
• Guaranteed Satisfaction: Committed to excellent customer service, we include a 100% satisfaction guarantee with every mini-split installation.

Are you looking to invest in a ductless air conditioning system, or do you need us for a heating, cooling, or electrical service? Contact Dean’s Home Services today for a consultation and a free estimate.

Ductless AC Installation FAQs

What Are the Best Locations for a Mini-Split?

Mounting the indoor unit to a perimeter or exterior wall shortens the connection between the indoor and outdoor units and provides a more direct drainage path. Wall-mounted units should be installed 6-7 feet above the floor, out of direct sunlight. They should also be placed away from electronics, furniture, and storage cabinets.

Where Should I Avoid Putting a Ductless Unit?

Do not install a mini-split in a kitchen, where heat can affect efficiency. Basements lack ventilation and have high humidity, so they’re not ideal locations for ductless ACs. You should also avoid putting one in a corridor, which does not need direct heating or cooling.

Can I Install a Mini-Split Myself?

No, we do not recommend it. Although ductless AC units are much simpler than central air conditioning systems, installation requires experience. Installing one yourself risks making mistakes that can lead to inefficiencies and higher costs. Also, working with refrigerant lines and electrical components has risks. 

How Many Zones Should I Set Up?

The number of zones you need depends on the square footage of your home, the number of levels it has, and how many rooms you want to cool. The number of people living there is also a factor. A professional installer can determine what you need in terms of the type and size of equipment.

Should I Install a Mini-Split In Every Room?

It’s usually not necessary. While you typically need one for each bedroom, living area, converted garage or basement, and each floor, the number of mini-splits needed depends on each unit’s capacity and your home’s layout.

How Long Does Ductless AC Installation Take?

It differs with each system. We factor in the time to remove old equipment, and the more indoor units you need, the longer the process will take. Simple jobs can take a few hours; complex projects can take days. Our mini-split installers will provide you with a timeline before they start.