Ductless Mini Split vs Central Heat Pump with Furnace
Every home in Central Texas needs cooling that cuts through July and heating that handles a January freeze. The old play is a central heat pump paired with a gas or electric furnace. That system requires ductwork, a furnace, and a single outdoor unit pushing air through vents. It breaks, and you start guessing at repair costs.
A ductless mini split heat pump is a different animal. One outdoor unit powers one to four indoor heads, each cooling or heating its own zone. No ducts, no furnace, no guessing. The price is posted up front: 1 zone for $2,000, 2 zones for $3,700, 3 zones for $5,400. No standoffs.
What a Central Heat Pump and Furnace Requires
A central system forces conditioned air through sheet metal ducts running through your attic or crawl space. That ductwork loses 20 to 30 percent of your heating and cooling energy before the air reaches a room, especially in an unconditioned attic. A furnace adds another appliance to maintain, replace, or repair.
The cost of that central system includes the outdoor heat pump, the indoor air handler, the furnace, ductwork installation or modification, and a thermostat. Most contractors require an in-home visit before they will give you a number. Ductless installs in Central Texas from other contractors commonly run $3,000 to $6,000 per zone on a custom quote. We post a flat price. You see it now.
How a Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump Covers Both Seasons
A mini split is a heat pump. It uses refrigerant to move heat from inside to outside during summer and from outside to inside during winter. Central Texas winters are mild. A mini split handles them without a furnace or backup heat strips in most homes. The same unit that cools your living room in August heats it in January.
Each indoor zone operates independently. You can set the bedroom to 68 degrees and the living area to 72. No ductwork means no energy lost to holes, kinks, or unconditioned attic space. The equipment, line set, refrigerant, standard electrical, testing, cleanup, and even a trip to Home Depot for touch-up paint are included in the flat price. No trip fees, no upcharges.
Honest Exceptions and What We Do Not Do
Our flat price covers a straightforward install on a typical wood frame house. If your run requires a very long line set, if the house already needs a panel upgrade from an underpowered electrical service, or if the mounting surface is unusually difficult (stone, stucco over brick, or an interior chase that demands custom fabrication), we quote those individually. Those exceptions are rare, and we state them before we start.
We do not perform electrical panel upgrades, insulation work, duct demolition, solar installation, generator hookup, plumbing, or roofing. Those trades are separate. A licensed electrician handles a panel upgrade if needed. You arrange that directly. Our licensed contractors install the mini split and connect standard electrical. This page covers new installs only. It does not cover repairs or service calls.
How we compare
| Factor | Old West Minisplits Ductless Mini Split | Central Heat Pump with Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $2,000 for 1 zone, $3,700 for 2 zones, $5,400 for 3 zones. Flat price includes equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and touch-up paint. | Commonly $3,000 to $6,000 per zone from other contractors with a custom quote. Ductwork and furnace add significant cost, and most require an in-home visit before quoting. |
| Energy Loss | No ductwork. Each zone runs independently. No energy lost to ducts in unconditioned attic space. | Ducts lose 20-30 percent of heating and cooling energy before air reaches the room. Leaky ducts worsen performance. |
| Equipment Count | One outdoor unit, one indoor head per zone. No furnace. No separate air handler. | Outdoor heat pump, indoor air handler, duct system, and a furnace (gas or electric). More parts to break and maintain. |
| Installation Speed | Same-day install in most cases. No ducts to run or furnace to connect. Licensed contractors handle everything in the flat price. | Requires ductwork modification or new duct runs, furnace placement, and multiple trades coordinating. Takes days to weeks. |
Straight answers
Is the $2,000 flat price for a 1-zone mini split for a new install only?
Yes. The flat prices $2,000 for a 1-zone install, $3,700 for 2 zones, and $5,400 for 3 zones are for new system installations only. They do not apply to repairs or service calls. If your house needs a very long line set or a panel upgrade that was already required, those exceptions are quoted separately.
Does a ductless mini split heat pump work in Central Texas winters?
Yes. A mini split is a heat pump. It moves heat from outside air into your home. Central Texas winters are mild enough that a mini split handles heating without a furnace for most homes. No backup heat strips are needed in typical conditions.
How does your flat price compare to a central heat pump and furnace installation?
A central system with a heat pump and furnace typically runs $3,000 to $6,000 per zone from other contractors, plus ductwork and a furnace. Our flat price for a ductless mini split is $2,000 for 1 zone, $3,700 for 2 zones, and $5,400 for 3 zones. No hidden fees and no in-home visit needed to see the price.
What is included in the flat price and what is an exception?
The flat price includes equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and any trip to Home Depot for touch-up paint. Honest exceptions are a very long line set, a panel upgrade the house already needed, or unusually difficult mounting. We tell you before we start.
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