Complete Mitsubishi Ductless Guide: Indoor Unit Types, Costs & Installation (2025)

Complete Mitsubishi Ductless Guide: Indoor Unit Types, Costs & Installation

If you've talked to Galaxy for more than about five minutes, there's a good chance Mitsubishi ductless came up. That's not an accident.

As a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor, ductless isn't just something we also do—it's one of our core specialties serving Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, and throughout the Bay Area.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Mitsubishi ductless systems, including the six types of indoor units, multi-zone configurations, and which options work best for different rooms and homes.

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What Is Mitsubishi Ductless?

Mitsubishi Electric ductless systems (also called mini-splits) consist of:

• Outdoor compressor unit – Houses the compressor and condenser
• Indoor unit(s) – Deliver conditioned air to each room/zone
• Refrigerant lines – Connect outdoor and indoor units (no ductwork needed)
• Individual controls – Each zone has its own thermostat or remote

Key benefits:

• No ductwork required (or can work with existing ducts)
• Individual room/zone temperature control
• SEER2 ratings up to 20+ (extremely efficient)
• HSPF2 ratings up to 13+ (excellent heating)
• Whisper-quiet operation (as low as 19 dB)

Compare ductless vs central AC →

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Mitsubishi Indoor Unit Types Explained

One of Mitsubishi's greatest strengths is the variety of indoor unit options. You're not limited to one style—you can mix and match to suit each room's needs.

1. Wall-Mount Units (MSZ Series)

The most popular choice for residential applications.

Feature	Details
Mounting	High on wall, typically 6-7 feet up
Airflow	Horizontal across room
Best for	Bedrooms, living rooms, home offices
Pros	Easy installation, lowest cost, easy filter access
Cons	Visible on wall, requires wall space
Noise level	19-32 dB (whisper quiet)

Popular models:

• MSZ-FH – Hyper-Heating for cold climates
• MSZ-GL – Standard efficiency, budget-friendly
• MSZ-FS – Designer series (sleek white or black)

Ideal for: Most rooms in Bay Area homes. The go-to choice for bedrooms, living areas, and additions.

2. Floor-Mount Units (MFZ Series)

Low-profile units that sit at floor level.

Feature	Details
Mounting	Floor level, against wall
Airflow	Upward and outward
Best for	Rooms with low ceilings, large windows, sunrooms
Pros	Accessible controls, great for picture windows
Cons	Takes floor space, more visible
Noise level	22-36 dB

Why choose floor-mount:

• Perfect under large windows where wall-mounts won't fit
• Easier access for elderly or mobility-limited homeowners
• Great for sunrooms, enclosed patios, converted garages
• Provides excellent heating (warm air rises naturally)

Ideal for: Sunrooms, rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, ADUs, converted garages.

3. One-Way Ceiling Cassette (MLZ Series)

Recessed into the ceiling, blows air in one direction.

Feature	Details
Mounting	Recessed in ceiling (requires 8"+ ceiling space)
Airflow	Single direction
Best for	Hallways, narrow rooms, along walls
Pros	Nearly invisible, clean aesthetic
Cons	Requires ceiling access, more complex install
Noise level	23-38 dB

Why choose one-way cassette:

• Virtually invisible—only the grille is visible
• Perfect for hallways connecting multiple rooms
• Great along walls in narrow spaces
• Maintains clean ceiling lines in modern homes

Ideal for: Hallways, galley kitchens, long narrow rooms, homes with minimalist design.

4. Four-Way Ceiling Cassette (SLZ Series)

Recessed into ceiling, distributes air in all four directions.

Feature	Details
Mounting	Recessed in ceiling (requires 10"+ ceiling space)
Airflow	360-degree distribution
Best for	Living rooms, open floor plans, large spaces
Pros	Even air distribution, invisible installation
Cons	Requires significant ceiling space, highest install cost
Noise level	26-40 dB

Why choose four-way cassette:

• Best air distribution for large open spaces
• Completely hidden in ceiling—only grille visible
• Commercial-quality comfort for residential applications
• Perfect for vaulted or high ceilings

Ideal for: Open-concept living/dining areas, great rooms, large master bedrooms, home theaters.

5. Horizontal Ducted Units (SEZ Series)

Hidden above ceiling, delivers air through short duct runs.

Feature	Details
Mounting	Above ceiling, in attic, or in closet
Airflow	Through ducts to ceiling/wall registers
Best for	Maintaining traditional HVAC appearance
Pros	Completely hidden, works with existing registers
Cons	Requires some ductwork, more complex installation
Noise level	24-35 dB (at unit; silent at registers)

Why choose ducted:

• Completely invisible—no indoor unit visible in rooms
• Works with existing ductwork in renovations
• Perfect for homeowners who don't want visible equipment
• Can serve multiple small rooms from one unit

Ideal for: Whole-home renovations, homes with existing partial ductwork, historic homes, custom homes.

6. Multi-Position Air Handler (SVZ Series)

Larger ducted units for whole-home applications.

Feature	Details
Mounting	Utility closet, basement, attic, garage
Airflow	Through full duct system
Best for	Replacing entire central HVAC system
Pros	Whole-home solution, uses existing ductwork
Cons	Requires full duct system, largest footprint
Capacity	24,000-48,000 BTU (2-4 tons)

Why choose multi-position air handler:

• Replace your entire furnace + AC with one efficient heat pump
• Uses your existing ductwork
• Pairs with Mitsubishi outdoor units for premium efficiency
• Central thermostat control for whole-home comfort

Ideal for: Complete HVAC replacement, homes with existing good ductwork, homeowners wanting to switch from gas to electric.

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Mixing Indoor Unit Types: The Best of All Worlds

One of Mitsubishi's biggest advantages: You can combine different indoor unit types on a single outdoor unit.

Example Multi-Zone Configuration

Room	Indoor Unit Type	Why This Choice
Living Room	Four-Way Ceiling Cassette	Even distribution for open space
Master Bedroom	Wall-Mount	Quiet, easy installation
Guest Bedroom	Wall-Mount	Cost-effective
Home Office	Floor-Mount	Large window, no wall space
Hallway	One-Way Ceiling Cassette	Invisible, directional air
Basement	Horizontal Ducted	Hidden, multiple registers

This entire system runs from ONE outdoor unit (MXZ multi-zone), with each room independently controlled.

Benefits of Mixed Systems

• Aesthetic flexibility – Choose the right look for each room
• Performance optimization – Match unit type to room requirements
• Single outdoor unit – Less outdoor equipment, simpler installation
• Independent control – Each zone on its own schedule and temperature
• Efficiency – Only condition rooms you're using

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Mitsubishi Outdoor Unit Options

Single-Zone Units (MUZ Series)

One outdoor unit powers one indoor unit. Best for:

• Single-room additions
• Garage conversions
• ADUs with one main living space
• Problem rooms that need supplemental heating/cooling

Multi-Zone Units (MXZ Series)

One outdoor unit powers 2-8 indoor units. Available configurations:

Outdoor Unit	Zones Supported	Total Capacity
MXZ-2C	2 zones	Up to 24,000 BTU
MXZ-3C	3 zones	Up to 36,000 BTU
MXZ-4C	4 zones	Up to 42,000 BTU
MXZ-5C	5 zones	Up to 48,000 BTU
MXZ-8C	Up to 8 zones	Up to 48,000 BTU

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Hyper-Heating INVERTER (H2i) Technology

Mitsubishi's Hyper-Heating INVERTER technology is a game-changer for heating performance.

Standard heat pumps lose efficiency as temperatures drop and may stop working below 25-30°F.

Mitsubishi H2i systems provide:

• Full heating capacity down to 5°F
• Continued operation to -13°F
• 100% heating efficiency in Bay Area's mild winters
• No backup heat source needed

For Bay Area homes: H2i technology is overkill for our mild winters, but it ensures your system performs perfectly on those occasional cold snaps. Standard Mitsubishi units work great for typical Bay Area conditions.

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Cost Guide: Mitsubishi Installation in the Bay Area

By Configuration

Configuration	Cost Range (Installed)
Single Zone Wall-Mount	$8,000–$10,500
Single Zone Floor-Mount	$9,000–$11,500
Single Zone Ceiling Cassette	$10,000–$13,000
Single Zone Ducted	$11,000–$14,000
2-Zone System (Wall-Mount)	$14,000–$18,000
3-Zone System (Wall-Mount)	$18,000–$24,000
4-Zone System (Mixed)	$24,000–$32,000
Whole-Home (5+ Zones)	$30,000–$45,000

Cost Factors

Indoor unit type matters:

• Wall-mount: Base pricing
• Floor-mount: +10-15%
• Ceiling cassettes: +20-30% (requires ceiling work)
• Ducted: +25-40% (requires ductwork)

Other factors:

• Electrical upgrades needed
• Number of stories (2nd floor = longer line runs)
• Accessibility for installation
• Existing electrical capacity

Full HVAC cost guide →

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Rebates & Incentives for Mitsubishi Systems

Mitsubishi ductless heat pumps qualify for significant incentives:

Federal Tax Credit

• Up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump systems
• Applies to equipment and installation costs
• Claimed on annual tax return

TECH Clean California

• $1,000–$4,000+ depending on system and household income
• Additional bonuses for low-income households
• Funds available while program lasts

PG&E Rebates

• $500–$2,000 for qualifying high-efficiency systems
• Amounts vary by season and program availability

Combined Savings Example

A $20,000 three-zone Mitsubishi system:

• Federal tax credit: -$2,000
• TECH rebate: -$2,000
• PG&E rebate: -$1,000
• Net cost: $15,000

Current rebate information →

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Why Galaxy for Mitsubishi Installation?

Mitsubishi Diamond Elite Contractor

Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning is a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor—the highest dealer level Mitsubishi offers. This means:

• Advanced training on all Mitsubishi products
• Priority access to equipment and parts
• Extended warranties available through our dealership
• Direct manufacturer support for complex installations

Our Mitsubishi Experience

• Hundreds of Mitsubishi installations completed
• Experience with all indoor unit types
• Multi-zone system specialists
• Expertise in mixed ducted/ductless configurations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Mitsubishi mini-splits good for whole-house heating and cooling?

Yes. Multi-zone systems with 4-8 indoor units can heat and cool an entire home. Many Bay Area homeowners are replacing their furnace + AC with Mitsubishi multi-zone systems for better comfort and lower operating costs.

Q: How long does Mitsubishi installation take?

Single-zone systems typically take 1 day. Multi-zone systems take 2-3 days depending on the number of zones and indoor unit types. Ceiling cassettes and ducted units require additional time for ceiling work.

Q: Do Mitsubishi mini-splits need maintenance?

Yes. Clean filters monthly (homeowner task). Professional maintenance annually for refrigerant check, electrical inspection, and deep cleaning. Regular maintenance extends system life to 20-25 years.

Q: Can I control Mitsubishi with my phone?

Yes. Mitsubishi's kumo cloud app provides smartphone control, scheduling, and monitoring. Works with Alexa and Google Home for voice control. Kumo Cloud setup guide →

Q: Are ceiling cassettes worth the extra cost?

For homes where aesthetics matter, yes. Ceiling cassettes are virtually invisible and provide superior air distribution in large open spaces. The 20-30% cost premium is worth it for living rooms, great rooms, and custom homes.

Q: What's better: one large zone or multiple small zones?

Multiple zones provide better comfort and efficiency. You only condition rooms you're using, each room maintains its own temperature, and you avoid the hot/cold spots common with single-zone systems.

Q: Can Mitsubishi systems work with my existing ductwork?

Yes. Mitsubishi's SEZ horizontal ducted units and SVZ air handlers work with existing ductwork. This is perfect for homes that want the efficiency of Mitsubishi with the invisible installation of traditional HVAC.

Q: How quiet are Mitsubishi indoor units?

Extremely quiet. Wall-mount units operate as low as 19 dB—quieter than a whisper. Ceiling cassettes run 23-26 dB. For comparison, a quiet library is about 30 dB. You'll barely notice they're running.

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Is Mitsubishi Ductless Right for Your Bay Area Home?

Consider Mitsubishi if you:

• Want to eliminate or avoid ductwork
• Need independent room-by-room temperature control
• Prioritize quiet operation
• Want maximum energy efficiency
• Have rooms that are always too hot or too cold
• Are building an ADU, addition, or converting a garage
• Want to replace an aging furnace + AC with a heat pump

Mitsubishi might not be ideal if you:

• Have a very small budget (budget brands cost less)
• Need only basic heating/cooling with no zoning
• Strongly prefer completely hidden equipment (ducted central may be better)

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Get a Custom Mitsubishi Quote

Every home is different. Room sizes, ceiling heights, aesthetic preferences, and comfort goals all factor into the right Mitsubishi configuration.

As Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractors, Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning will assess your home and design a system that delivers perfect comfort in every room.

✓ Free in-home consultations ✓ All indoor unit types available ✓ Multi-zone system specialists ✓ Mixed ducted/ductless expertise ✓ Extended warranty options ✓ Financing available

Schedule Your Mitsubishi Consultation | Call (925) 578-3293

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Related Guides

• Ductless vs Central AC Comparison
• Mitsubishi Kumo Cloud Setup Guide
• Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace
• Ultimate HVAC Cost Guide
• Current Rebates & Incentives
• Mitsubishi Brand Page

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Galaxy Heating & Air Conditioning | Mitsubishi Diamond Elite Contractor | CSLB License #1076868