Comparison · Ductless mini-split vs central heat pump
Ductless mini-splits or a central heat pump: which is best for your home?
To heat and cool a home, you have two main options: a central heat pump or a ductless mini-split. Both have real strengths. A diagnostic, 13 criteria compared and real grant amounts: here is which one suits your home.
By AirGreen Climatisation & ChauffagePublished ·Updated ·12 min read
Answer on the left and the recommendation builds on the right: reasons, points to watch, a real LogisVert amount. Change an answer and the ranking moves.
Question 4 of 6
Your current heating?
In the lead for nowMulti-zone · 90/100
Provisional result · 3 of 6 answered
Multi-zone
One outdoor unit for 2 to 5 wall heads. Each room keeps its own set point.
90score out of 100
Why it fits you
No ducts to install: each head connects to the outdoor unit through the wall.
2 to 5 closed rooms: one head per room, a single outdoor unit.
Watch out for
Nothing to flag with your answers so far.
LogisVert, a real exampleGREE Multi+ Ultra 36,000 BTU · AHRI 20428878029,000 BTU/h at -8 °C ÷ 1,000 × $120
An indicative score to guide the conversation. The final choice is made on site, with ducts and rooms measured.
03 · How it works
Where does the heat go? See both systems in cross-section.
Switch between mini-split, multi-zone and central, then tap the numbers: each piece of equipment is explained.
A ductless mini-split in the living room
Served directlyPartly servedLittle or not served
1Wall headThe indoor unit. It heats and cools the room it is in, with its own set point.
What is a central heat pump?
An outdoor unit and an indoor unit, usually in the basement. Heated or cooled air travels through a network of ducts to a vent in every room of the house. The capacity you need depends on the size and layout of the house. In winter, an electric furnace, or your existing furnace, takes over in deep cold.
What is a ductless mini-split?
Also called a wall-mounted heat pump or ductless system: an outdoor unit connected to one or more heads mounted high on the wall. Each head heats and cools the room it is in and is controlled separately, which gives better room-by-room temperature control. With several heads on a single outdoor unit, it is called a multi-zone system.
04 · The advantages of each
Four advantages on each side, checked and updated.
The central system wins on heat distribution and discretion; the mini-split wins on efficiency, upfront cost and control. The chart shows why ducts matter so much.
Advantages of a central heat pump
1The whole house, evenlyA vent in every room: every room is heated and cooled, on every floor.
2Quiet in the bedroomsThe indoor unit stays in the basement; in the rooms you mostly hear air at the vents.
3One filter for all the airAll the air in the house goes through the same filter, easy to change or clean.
4Nothing on the wallsOnly the vents show. And on grants, LogisVert pays the same rate as for a wall unit: see section 07.
Advantages of a ductless mini-split
1Energy efficiencyNo ducts, so no duct losses: the heat is produced right in the room.
2Less expensive upfrontFor one or two rooms, less equipment and less work than a central system.
3Zone controlEach head has its own set point: heat or cool some rooms and leave the others alone.
4Easy installationNo ducts to install: one opening in the wall for the line set, and the head goes where it is needed.
Chart · Duct losses
Out of 100 units of air blown, how many reach the rooms?
ENERGY STAR estimates leaks at 20 to 30% in a typical U.S. home. Sealed, insulated ducts lose less. A ductless mini-split has no ducts.
75 arrive
25 lost
With 25% leakage, the unit has to blow longer to deliver the same heat. That is the main reason we check the ducts before recommending a central system.
The match on 13 criteria: tell us what matters, the table decides.
Each criterion gives points to the winner, multiplied by how much it matters to you. Two settings about your home change the outcome: open a criterion to see why.
Your home
Existing ducts in good shape?
A plex eligible for the multi-unit bonus?
What matters to you
Comfort4 criteria
Installation3 criteria
Costs and grants4 criteria
Winter and maintenance2 criteria
The score for your home
Mini-split54
Central46
Edge: the mini-split
For your priorities, the ductless mini-split scores more points. If several closed rooms need heating, look at multi-zone too.
An indicative score to guide your choice. The on-site estimate settles it.
The 13 criteriaMini-split 5 · Central 4 · Tie 4
Mini-split
No ducts: a line set runs through the wall to the outdoor unit.
Central
Ducts are required. Furnace ducts may need changes: a heat pump moves more air.
Source: NRCan: heat pumps run at higher airflows than heating systems.
06 · Room by room
Tap the rooms to heat. We count the zones for you.
An open-plan area counts as one zone. Two to five zones without ducts is multi-zone territory; with good ducts, the central system takes the lead again.
Upstairs
Main floor
Basement
5 rooms selected · open plan counted as a single zone
Your setup
33 zones to serve
A multi-zone with 3 heads
3 zones, a single outdoor unit: each room keeps its own set point.
The number of heads and the capacity are confirmed on site: insulation, windows and ceiling height all count.
07 · LogisVert for real
The type does not set the amount. Capacity at -8 °C does.
Four units from our catalogue, their AHRI numbers checked against the ENERGY STAR list, and Hydro-Québec's calculation, line by line. Tap a unit, then switch rates.
Hydro-Québec's calculationCentral
MIDEA EVOX G3 3-ton
AHRI number215471343
Capacity at -8 °C (ENERGY STAR)33,000 BTU/h
Calculation33,000 ÷ 1,000 × $120
At its coldest (spec sheet)27,600 BTU/h at -30 °C
Manufacturer warranty12 yr compressor · 12 yr parts
Indicative amount$3,960
ENERGY STAR cold-climate unit: $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8 °C.
Two Sharp mini-splits, a GREE multi-zone and a MIDEA central unit: all in our catalogue, all verified. Pick two, then compare how loud each one is on the chart.
In green: the better value of the two. Capacities certified by ENERGY STAR by AHRI number; sound levels, limits and warranties from the manufacturers' spec sheets.
ChartNoise in dB(A): indoor at lowest and highest speed, and outdoorIndoor, low speedIndoor, high speedOutdoor unit
SHARP CHU 12,000 BTU
22 dB(A) low
44 dB(A) high
50 dB(A) outdoor
SHARP CHU 18,000 BTU
25 dB(A) low
49 dB(A) high
52 dB(A) outdoor
GREE Multi+ Ultra 36,000 BTU
26 dB(A) low
43 dB(A) high
62 dB(A) outdoor
MIDEA EVOX G3 3-ton (indoor unit in the basement)
31.5 dB(A) low
49.5 dB(A) high
62.5 dB(A) outdoor
Manufacturer spec sheets. dB(A) is a logarithmic scale: about 10 dB(A) more sounds roughly twice as loud. For the central unit, the indoor figure is the unit in the basement, not the rooms.
09 · Deep cold
Deep cold: what each unit really delivers, and what takes over.
The heat pump does most of the work; backup heat (baseboards or an electric furnace) covers the gap. Pick a unit, then bring the thermometer down.
ChartHeating capacity: at -8 °C and at its coldestAt -8 °C (ENERGY STAR certified)At its coldest (manufacturer spec sheet, maximum capacity)
SHARP CHU 12,000 BTU
18,900 BTU/h at -8 °C
9,700 BTU/h at -30 °C
SHARP CHU 18,000 BTU
22,600 BTU/h at -8 °C
11,800 BTU/h at -30 °C
GREE Multi+ Ultra 36,000 BTU
29,000 BTU/h at -8 °C
25,100 BTU/h at -35 °C
MIDEA EVOX G3 3-ton
33,000 BTU/h at -8 °C
27,600 BTU/h at -30 °C
Capacity at -8 °C is the certified value used for the LogisVert calculation. The coldest-temperature value comes from the manufacturer spec sheet; it is not measured under the same conditions.
-15 °CSHARP CHU 12,000 BTU · Rated limit: -30 °C
Heat pump alone
Occasional backup
Frequent backup
Backup only
The heat pump is working hard. Depending on insulation and unit size, your baseboards may come on during the coldest hours.
How to read it. Temperatures in orange are below the selected unit's heating limit. How much backup heat you need depends on insulation and unit size: we calculate it on site.
10 · True or false
Six common beliefs, checked one by one.
Some come from 2023 guides, others from the neighbours. The programs have changed: here is what still holds in 2026.
0 of 6 answers revealed
11 · What has changed since 2023
Older guides talked about $5,000 from Ottawa. Here is the real situation.
Five dates that changed the math. If a salesperson quotes you a pre-2025 amount, ask for the source.
September 30, 2025ClosedGreener Homes: application deadline in Quebec. The "$5,000 from Ottawa" in older guides no longer exists.
November 26, 2025RuleLogisVert: the installed unit must be ENERGY STAR certified.
March 31, 2026ClosedEnd of Chauffez vert.
June 15, 2026BonusLogisVert multi-unit: $220 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8 °C for a cold-climate wall unit in an eligible building.
September 15, 2026In forceLogisVert guide v1.10: $50 or $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8 °C, for a wall unit and a central unit alike.
Today, September 24, 2026
12 · From the visit to the payment
Six steps, one date you cannot miss.
We handle the first four. The fifth is in your name: here it is, calculated from today.
1
Free estimate
On site: ducts, rooms, electrical panel, outdoor unit location.
2
Quote in 24 h
The model, its AHRI number and the indicative LogisVert amount, in writing.
3
Installation
By our refrigeration technicians, under RBQ licence subclasses 15.8, 15.10 and 16.
4
Start-up
Testing and adjustments before we leave.
5
LogisVert application
You have 9 months after installation to file it.
6
Payment
10 to 12 weeks after a complete file, according to Hydro-Québec.
Your LogisVert deadline
Planned installation
InstallationOctober 24, 2026
File your application no later than
July 24, 2027
303 days from today
13 · Before you sign
Six checks that protect your grant.
Tick them off as you go. If something is missing from your quote, now is the time to ask.
2 of 6
Missing something? Ask for it before you sign.
14 · Frequently asked questions
The questions we get every week.
14 questions
Neither wins everywhere. The ductless mini-split wins with no ducts, for one room or an open-plan area, and for controlling each room. The central heat pump wins when good ducts already serve the whole house and you want nothing on the walls. In between, multi-zone and ducted mini-splits solve many cases.
15 · In conclusion
The best system is the one that suits your home.
So, are ductless mini-splits better than central heat pumps? Neither is objectively better: each one wins in its own kind of house. With no ducts, for one room or to control each room, the ductless mini-split wins; with good ducts and a whole house to serve, the central heat pump takes the lead. Think about the layout of your home, your needs and your budget, then have us confirm the choice on site.
AirGreen · Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore, North Shore
We measure your ducts, your rooms and your electrical panel. You come away with the right answer, not a preference.
Wall unit, multi-zone, central or ducted: our refrigeration technicians install all four. We recommend the one that suits your home, with the LogisVert amount calculated on the model chosen.
Subclasses 15.8 Ventilation, 15.10 Refrigeration and 16 Electricity.
AHRI on every product page
Every product shows its AHRI number and an indicative LogisVert amount.
Quote in 24 h
Free on-site estimate, detailed quote the next day.
Showroom
1370 Joliot-Curie Street, Unit 712, Boucherville. See the units before you choose.
Hydro-Québec does not solicit by phone or door to door for LogisVert. If in doubt, call 1-833-396-1888.
Sources checked on September 24, 2026.
Hydro-Québec, LogisVert Program — Participation Guide, Residential Customers (French: Guide de participation, clientèle résidentielle), version 1.10, September 15, 2026 ($50 and $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8 °C, multi-unit bonus, multiple measures, 9-month deadline).
Hydro-Québec, LogisVert residential program page (ENERGY STAR required since November 26, 2025; outdoor unit of at least 12,000 BTU/h; 1-833-396-1888), viewed September 24, 2026.
Natural Resources Canada, Canada Greener Homes Grant – Quebec page, marked closed, modified January 5, 2026 (application deadline: September 30, 2025).
Natural Resources Canada, "Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump", modified December 23, 2024.
ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), "Duct Sealing", viewed September 24, 2026 (20 to 30% of duct air lost in a typical home).
ENERGY STAR, list of certified heat pumps, AHRI numbers 217512736, 217508925, 204288780 and 215471343, viewed September 24, 2026.
Government of Québec, Chauffez vert program, ended March 31, 2026.
Manufacturer spec sheets published on airgreen.ca (sound levels, heating limits, warranties, catalogue as of September 24, 2026).
The amounts shown are estimates; only the responsible organizations confirm the assistance granted.
