Ductless · mini-split
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
A ductless heat pump pairs a compact outdoor unit with one or more slim indoor heads. It heats in winter, cools in summer and needs nothing more than a small opening in the wall — which is why it is the most popular heat pump upgrade in Nova Scotia.
- −25 °C
- Cold-climate models keep heating well below this
- 1 day
- Typical single-zone installation, start to walkthrough
- 3–4×
- More heat delivered than the electricity used
Sound familiar?
Why Nova Scotians call us about ductless
Oil bills that jump every winter
Filling the tank has become the biggest bill of the year. A ductless heat pump carries most of the heating load for a fraction of the cost, and lets you keep the furnace as backup or retire it.
Baseboards that cost a fortune
Electric baseboards turn one unit of electricity into one unit of heat. A heat pump moves heat instead of making it, so the same room costs a fraction to keep warm.
A hot upstairs every July
The same system that heats in January cools and dehumidifies in summer. No window units, no fans, no sleepless nights.
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Inside the system
Anatomy of a ductless heat pump
Two units, one small hole in the wall. Here is what we install and why each part matters in a Nova Scotia winter.
System types
Single room or whole home, ductless has an answer
We match the layout of your house to the right combination of indoor heads, then size the outdoor unit for a Nova Scotia winter, not a mild-climate brochure.
- 01
Single-zone wall mount
One outdoor unit, one indoor head on the wall of your main living space. The most popular first step off oil or baseboards.
Best for: Open-plan living areas, bungalows, one problem room
- 02
Multi-zone system
Two to five indoor heads run from a single outdoor unit, each with its own temperature setting.
Best for: Bedrooms upstairs, split-entry homes, whole-home coverage without ducts
- 03
Floor console or ceiling cassette
Where a high wall unit does not suit the room, a low floor console or a flush ceiling cassette delivers the same comfort.
Best for: Rooms with low knee walls, large windows or vaulted ceilings
- 04
Cold-climate 'hyper-heat' models
Outdoor units engineered to hold their heating capacity in deep cold, so the heat pump is the primary heat source rather than a helper.
Best for: Homes retiring oil entirely, exposed or rural locations
Step by step
How a ductless installation goes
Most single-zone systems are installed and running in a day. Here is what that day looks like.
- 1
Assess and size
We measure the rooms, check insulation and windows, look at your panel and agree where each indoor head and the outdoor unit will go.
- 2
Mount and connect
The outdoor unit goes on a stand or pad above the snow line. One small opening through the wall carries the insulated line set, hidden in a tidy cover.
- 3
Electrical, done properly
Our Red Seal electricians install the disconnect, surge protector and wiring, and any panel work agreed in the quote, on the same visit.
- 4
Commission and hand over
We vacuum-test the lines, set the refrigerant charge with gauges, run heating and cooling, and walk you through the remote and filters.
From our technicians
Straight talk about ductless
The things we explain at every kitchen table, written down.
- 01
It is a retrofit specialist
Ductless systems were made to replace non-ducted heating such as baseboards, hydronic heat and space heaters. Nothing in your walls has to change.
- 02
Perfect for additions
When extending or installing ductwork is impractical, a ductless head heats and cools the new space independently of the rest of the house.
- 03
No duct losses
Ducted systems can lose a meaningful share of their heat through ductwork in unheated spaces. Ductless delivers conditioned air right where you live.
- 04
Straightforward to install
No extensive ductwork means less disruption and a lower installed cost, in both new construction and existing homes.
- 05
Outdoor unit placement matters
Away from bedroom windows, clear of roof drip lines and drifting snow, raised on a stand, with a drain path for defrost water. We choose the spot with you.
- 06
Rebates apply
Cold-climate ductless systems are the most common rebate project in Nova Scotia. Your quote shows what you qualify for and we help with the paperwork.
Is it right for you?
Whole-room comfort, no ductwork required.
- Replacing electric baseboards, hydronic heat or space heaters
- Room additions, garages and spaces ductwork can't reach
- Older homes where running new ducts is impractical
- Homeowners who want room-by-room control and lower power bills
- 01
Efficiency without duct losses
Ducted systems can lose a surprising share of their heat through the ductwork. A ductless system delivers conditioned air right where you live, so more of the energy you pay for ends up as comfort.
- 02
Straightforward installation
Most single-zone systems are installed in a day. The outdoor unit sits on a stand or pad, a tidy line-set cover runs up the wall, and the indoor head mounts high on the wall.
- 03
Built for Nova Scotia winters
We size and select cold-climate models that keep delivering heat well below −20 °C, so your heat pump is a real primary heat source, not just a shoulder-season helper.
- 04
Electrical handled in-house
Disconnect box, surge protection and any panel work are done by our own Red Seal electricians on the same visit. One crew, one quote.
What's included
Everything, itemized.
No vague line items. This is what a typical project with us covers.
- In-home assessment and heat-load sizing
- Cold-climate outdoor unit on a stand or pad
- Indoor wall-mounted head(s) with remote or Wi-Fi control
- Line set, drain and wall penetration sealed and covered
- Electrical disconnect, surge protector and wiring by Red Seal electricians
- Commissioning, vacuum test, start-up and a walkthrough of the controls
Recent work
From our job sites.
Real installations across Nova Scotia, photographed by our own crew.
Multi-zone ductless outdoor unit on a stand beside a grey-sided Nova Scotia home 
Single-zone ductless outdoor unit with tidy line-set cover and disconnect 
Ductless heat pump outdoor unit installed beside a retired oil tank
What our clients say
Comfort you can feel. Service you remember.
The service from Smart Heat Pumps was impeccable! Their technicians were knowledgeable and efficient, transforming our home's comfort level in no time.
I highly recommend Smart Heat Pumps. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and quality solutions is evident in their work and the results.
Common questions
About ductless heat pumps
If yours isn't here, call — a technician will answer it.
How many indoor units do I need?
One head per room or open area you want to control independently. A single zone covers an open living space; multi-zone systems run two to five heads from one outdoor unit. We map your rooms and recommend the fewest heads that give you even comfort.
Will a ductless heat pump heat my whole house?
Often, yes — in open-plan and bungalow layouts one or two well-placed heads carry most of the heating. Closed-off bedrooms may keep a baseboard for backup. We'll be honest about what a given layout can do.
Do I need an electrical panel upgrade?
Most panels can handle a ductless system. Where capacity is tight we can install a load-management device instead of a full upgrade. Because our electricians are part of the team, we check this during the quote, not on installation day.
How loud is it?
Indoor heads run at a whisper on low; outdoor units are quieter than most air conditioners. We place the outdoor unit away from bedroom windows and use vibration-isolating stands.
More from Smart
Other ways we can help
- Ducted & Central Heat PumpsWhole-home air handlers that use your existing ducts — including oil-furnace conversions and add-on heat pumps that pair with your furnace.
- Heat Pump Repair & MaintenanceDiagnostics, repairs and preventive tune-ups that keep any heat pump running efficiently through Nova Scotia winters.
- Electrical ServicesRed Seal electricians for panel and service upgrades (100 → 200/400 A), generator systems, lighting, hot tubs, HVAC wiring and new construction.
- HRV / ERV Installation & MaintenanceHeat and energy recovery ventilators that swap stale indoor air for fresh air — without throwing away the heat you paid for.
- Commercial HVACDesign, installation and service of heat pump systems for shops, offices, restaurants and multi-unit buildings across Nova Scotia.
Start your comfort journey
Get a free, no-pressure quote for your home or business.
Tell us a little about your place and we'll arrange a visit, size the right system and show you exactly what it costs after rebates.
- Call or text902-220-4182
- Emailinfo@smarteheatpumps.com
- Service areaAll of Nova Scotia