Most of the rest of the world has relied on ductless mini-split systems for their heating and cooling needs for decades, but that has not been the case in the U.S. That’s because a majority of homes and businesses here were designed with ductwork, so central forced air HVAC units have been the equipment of choice for most of the country for a very long time.
That may be changing with the advent of ducted mini-split systems, which utilize an air handler and a home’s existing ductwork to deliver conditioned air to multiple rooms or even a whole floor. Manufacturers say these types of systems offer greater flexibility than traditional forced air systems, as well as better comfort and energy efficiency.