Ductless Mini-Split Installation & Repair in Reno and Sparks

M&S Heating and Air Conditioning installs, repairs and maintains ductless mini-split systems for homes and businesses in Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada. A mini-split heats and cools a room or zone without ductwork. That makes it a good fit for additions, garages, converted spaces, older homes without ducts, and rooms the main system can’t keep comfortable. We’ve served the area since 1985, and estimates for new systems are free.

• Local since 1985: based at 605 Spice Islands Dr #5, Sparks, NV 89431
• Licensed: Nevada Air Conditioning Contractor License #AC 0082386
• Single-zone and multi-zone systems, cooling-only or heat pump models
• Free estimates on new installations, with financing through Wisetack
• Call (775) 843-7930 or request an estimate online

How a Ductless Mini-Split Works

A mini-split has two main parts: an outdoor unit, and one or more slim indoor units mounted high on a wall or in the ceiling. A small refrigerant line and a control cable connect them through a hole about three inches across. No ductwork is needed. Each indoor unit has its own remote or thermostat, so every room or zone can be set to its own temperature.

Most mini-splits sold today are heat pumps, so the same system cools in summer and heats in winter. Cooling-only models are also available.

Where Mini-Splits Make the Most Sense

• Home additions and bonus rooms, where extending ductwork would be expensive or wouldn’t reach well.
• Garages, workshops and home gyms, which need comfort only some of the time.
• Converted spaces: basements, attics, sunrooms and accessory dwelling units.
• Older homes without ducts, including homes heated by baseboard or wall heaters.
• Rooms that are always too hot or too cold, such as upstairs bedrooms or west-facing rooms.
• Replacing noisy window or wall units with a quieter, more efficient system.
• Small commercial spaces: offices, server and equipment rooms, and shops.

Benefits of Going Ductless

• High efficiency. No duct losses, and variable-speed compressors that adjust their output instead of switching on and off.
• Room-by-room control. Heat or cool only the spaces you use.
• Quiet operation. The noisy compressor sits outside, and indoor units are very quiet.
• Simple installation. Usually just a small wall opening, with no new ductwork through walls and ceilings.
• Better indoor air. Each indoor unit has a washable filter, and there are no dusty ducts to circulate debris.
• Heating as well as cooling with heat pump models, a good fit for our mild winter days.

Our Mini-Split Installation Process

1. Site visit. We look at the spaces you want to heat or cool, where the indoor and outdoor units can go, and your electrical panel.
2. Sizing and design. We size each zone for its heating and cooling needs and recommend a single-zone or multi-zone system. Oversized indoor units short-cycle, and undersized ones can’t keep up.
3. Written estimate. Free for new systems, with options at different efficiency levels.
4. Installation. We mount the indoor and outdoor units, run and seal the line set, connect the power and the condensate drain, and pull the required permit.
5. Commissioning. We pressure-test the lines, set the refrigerant charge, test heating and cooling, and show you how to use the controls.

Mini-Splits in the Northern Nevada Climate

Reno and Sparks get hot, dry summers, cold nights, and plenty of mild days in spring, fall and winter. Heat pump mini-splits do well here. They cool efficiently through summer heat and heat efficiently for most of the year. For rooms used in the coldest weather, we can recommend cold-climate mini-split models that keep heating well below freezing. In homes with a central furnace, a mini-split can take care of one problem room while the main system heats the rest of the house.

Dust and wildfire smoke load up indoor-unit filters and coils, so regular cleaning matters here. We’ll show you how to clean the filters yourself.

Mini-Split Repair and Maintenance

We repair ductless systems from all major manufacturers, including ones we didn’t install. Common problems include:

• Not cooling or heating, often a refrigerant leak, a dirty coil or a sensor fault
• Water dripping from the indoor unit, usually a clogged drain or poor installation slope
• Blinking lights or error codes on the indoor unit
• Bad smells from mold or debris in the indoor coil and blower wheel
• Remote or communication failures between the indoor and outdoor units

Mini-splits need regular care too: filter cleaning, coil and blower cleaning, drain checks and a refrigerant check. Call us to schedule maintenance for your ductless system, or see the M&S Maintenance Plan.

What Affects the Cost of a Mini-Split?

• The number of zones (indoor units) and their sizes
• Efficiency level and whether you choose a cold-climate model
• Indoor unit style: wall-mounted, ceiling cassette or concealed ducted
• Line set length and how hard the route is
• Electrical work, such as a new circuit

We give you a written estimate covering all of this. To spread the cost, ask about Wisetack financing.

Why Choose M&S for Ductless Systems

• Over 40 years serving Reno and Sparks since January 1985.
• We install and service all types of HVAC, so we’ll tell you honestly whether ductless, a central heat pump or extending your ducts suits your home best.
• Residential and commercial mini-split installation.
• Rated 4.9 stars on Google.

Areas We Serve

We install and repair ductless mini-splits in Reno, Sparks, Spanish Springs, Sun Valley, the North Valleys, Cold Springs, Carson City, Virginia City, Crystal Bay, Incline Village and Truckee, California.

Ductless Mini-Split FAQs

Can a ductless mini-split heat a room in a Reno winter?

Yes. Heat pump mini-splits heat efficiently for most of our winter, and cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing. For a room you rely on during the coldest nights, we’ll recommend a model rated for those temperatures.

How many indoor units can one outdoor unit run?

Multi-zone outdoor units can typically run two to five or more indoor units, depending on the model. For larger homes, we sometimes recommend more than one outdoor unit for better efficiency and backup.

How long does a mini-split installation take?

A single-zone system is usually installed in one day. Multi-zone systems with longer line runs or electrical work can take one to two days.

Is a mini-split better than adding ductwork to an addition?

Often it is. Extending ducts can be costly, and the main system may not have spare capacity. A mini-split gives the new space its own heating and cooling and its own temperature control. We’ll compare both options for your home.

Why is my mini-split dripping water inside?

Usually the condensate drain is clogged, the indoor unit isn’t level, or the coil is dirty. Turn the unit off to avoid water damage and call us. We’ll clean the drain and coil and fix the cause.

Do you install mini-splits for businesses?

Yes. We install ductless systems in offices, server and equipment rooms, and small commercial spaces. See our commercial HVAC services for more.

Have more questions? See our full HVAC FAQ page.