About DuctlessWise: Who We Are and How We Work
What DuctlessWise covers, where its specs and prices come from, what it will not publish, and how the site makes money without selling recommendations.
DuctlessWise exists because most answers about mini splits and water heaters stop at “it depends on your home.” This site answers with model numbers, efficiency ratings, dated prices and the reasoning shown, so you can price a project and pick a system with your eyes open.
What does DuctlessWise cover?
Three decisions, for US homeowners:
- DIY mini splits: pre-charged, quick-connect systems you can mount yourself, how they compare, which size a room needs, and when a multi-zone, ducted or pro-installed system is the better answer.
- What it costs: line-item budgets for a DIY kit plus an electrician, and for pro-installed single-zone and multi-zone jobs, with the month and year each price was seen.
- Water heaters: heat-pump (hybrid) and tankless units against a standard tank, on operating cost, space, climate and upkeep.
The sizing calculator ties these together: room, climate and sun in, a nominal size and the real DIY models that match it out.
Where do the numbers come from?
Capacity and efficiency figures (BTU per hour, SEER2, HSPF2, UEF, first-hour rating) come from manufacturer spec sheets and public listings such as ENERGY STAR and the AHRI Directory, with the date we checked them. Cost ranges come from published cost guides and retailer prices, stamped with month and year. Owner complaints and praise are summarized from retailer reviews and forums and labelled as such. We do not run lab tests and never imply we did.
What will DuctlessWise not publish?
No wiring, refrigerant or gas instructions. A DIY mini split still needs a dedicated circuit and disconnect, which is an electrician’s job; gas tankless heaters need gas-line and venting work by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. Our pages explain what the job involves and who does which part, then point to the installation manual, local code and a licensed pro. We also do not publish “near me” pages or sell installer leads.
Our editorial rules
Specific beats safe. Every buying question gets a model number, a range or a table, never a shrug.
Trade-offs are named. Every recommendation says who it is not for, including when a DIY mini split is the wrong answer.
Units stay honest. SEER2 and HSPF2 are never mixed with the older SEER and HSPF without saying so, and incentive facts carry a date and a link to the official source.
Independence. Recommendations are chosen before affiliate status is checked. Plenty of our picks earn us nothing.
How does the site make money?
Reader support: some links are affiliate links that pay us a commission at no extra cost to you. The full policy is in the affiliate disclosure.
Corrections and requests
We would rather be corrected than confidently wrong. Spec sheets get revised and prices move; if something here does not match what you see, tell us and we will check it and update the page with a new date.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what readers ask us most
Is DuctlessWise affiliated with any manufacturer, retailer, or installer?
No. DuctlessWise is independent. It does not sell equipment, does not sell installer leads, and does not accept payment for placement.
Does DuctlessWise test the equipment it covers?
No, and no page claims otherwise. Figures come from manufacturer spec sheets and public listings such as ENERGY STAR and the AHRI Directory, and owner experience is summarized from retailer reviews and forums, labelled as such.
How does DuctlessWise make money?
Some product links earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you, disclosed wherever it applies. Commissions never decide a recommendation.
Can I submit a correction?
Please do. A spec sheet revision, a price change, or a model that has been discontinued are exactly the corrections we want.