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Ductless mini splits: new construction vs. retrofit
Both work beautifully — the difference is timing. New construction lets us conceal line sets in the wall; a retrofit runs a clean exterior cover and is still far less invasive than adding ducts. Here's how they compare.
Two starting points, one great system
Mini splits go into two very different situations, and the difference is timing. In new construction — or a major remodel taken down to the studs — we plan the system before the walls close up. In a retrofit, we add ductless to a finished, lived-in home. Both produce an excellent result, but the path, the finished look, and the effort differ, and it helps to know which one you're in.
The part that surprises most people: ductless was designed to be retrofit-friendly. Unlike adding ducts to an existing home — which is a demolition project — a mini split needs only a single three-inch hole through an exterior wall. So even the "harder" case is far less invasive than the ducted alternative.
Why ductless wins either way
In both scenarios you get the same core advantages: room-by-room zoning, inverter efficiency, no duct losses, and a heat pump that covers both San Antonio seasons. What changes is how clean the install looks and how much up-front planning is involved.
- New construction — we route the line set inside the wall, plan the electrical and the outdoor-unit location with your builder, and can use the most flexible head placements. The result is the tidiest possible install, with nothing visible but the heads.
- Retrofit — we run the line set down the exterior in a clean, paintable line-hide cover, place the head on an exterior-adjacent wall, and work around your finished space. Minimal mess, usually about a day for a single zone.
The cost & effort reality
For a single zone, the equipment and labor are similar either way — a retrofit single zone is typically $3,000–$5,500 installed and done in about a day. A multi-zone whole-home or addition system runs $6,000–$14,000 for 2–4 rooms. The bigger cost variable isn't new-versus-old, it's the number of zones and the line-set routing.
New construction adds coordination — timing with the builder, planning the routes — but reduces the visible line-set work. A retrofit adds a bit of exterior line-hide cover but skips any framing coordination. Crucially, neither one involves tearing out ductwork. That's the whole point.
What we'd recommend
If you're building or gutting to the studs, plan ductless in now — it costs little extra to route line sets and electrical while the walls are open, and you'll get the cleanest result. If your home is already finished, don't let "we should have done it during the build" stop you; retrofit ductless is genuinely minimally invasive and is the bulk of what we do. Either way, we size every zone with a Manual J load calculation so the system fits the home rather than a rule of thumb. Tell us which situation you're in on a free in-home estimate and we'll map the routing and the zones.
| Factor | New construction | Retrofit |
|---|---|---|
| Line-set routing | Concealed inside the wall | Clean exterior line-hide cover |
| Head placement | Most flexible — planned in | On or near an exterior wall |
| Disruption | None — done before move-in | Minimal — about a day per single zone |
| Coordination | Planned with your builder | Scheduled around your home |
| Typical single-zone cost | $3,000–$5,500 | $3,000–$5,500 |
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to install ductless during construction?
The equipment cost is similar, but new construction saves on concealing the line set and lets us plan the cleanest routing while the walls are open. The main cost driver in either case is the number of zones, not the timing of the install.
Will a retrofit mini split look messy on my walls?
No. The indoor head is tidy, and the exterior line set runs inside a paintable line-hide cover rather than as bare tubing. Most retrofits look clean and intentional — and they're far less invasive than adding ductwork to a finished home.
I'm remodeling — should I add ductless now?
Yes, if you're opening up walls. Routing line sets and electrical during a remodel is inexpensive and gives you concealed lines and flexible head placement. Bring us in during the planning stage so we can coordinate with the rest of the work.
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Written & reviewed by
Manny Pozos
Owner, The Mini Split Company
Manny Pozos founded The Mini Split Company after years of watching San Antonio homeowners get stuck with HVAC that doesn't fit their homes — older houses without ductwork, additions, garages, and rooms that never stay comfortable. He built a company that does one thing exceptionally well: ductless mini splits. A specialist in the systems he installs, he leads every job to factory spec.
The Mini Split Company
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