The Basic Distinction
A **ducted heat pump** uses a central air handler and distributes conditioned air through a duct system to registers throughout the house — the same way a traditional furnace works. A **ductless mini-split** uses one or more wall-mounted (or ceiling-mounted) indoor heads connected directly to an outdoor condenser unit, with no ductwork involved.
Both systems work well in Burnaby's climate. The right choice depends almost entirely on your home's existing infrastructure and your specific goals.
When Ducted Makes Sense
If your home already has a functioning forced-air duct system, a ducted heat pump is often the cleanest upgrade path. You're replacing the furnace and outdoor condensing unit while keeping the existing duct distribution. The installation is relatively contained — the ductwork doesn't change, and the conditioned air is delivered the same way it always was.
Ducted systems are also preferred when:
- You want uniform air distribution throughout the home without visible indoor units
- You have existing ductwork in reasonable condition
- You want to integrate a whole-home heat recovery ventilator (HRV) into the same air handler
- Aesthetics are important and you don't want wall-mounted heads visible
The trade-off: ducted systems require that the existing ductwork is in good condition and properly sized for heat pump airflow. Heat pumps operate at lower supply air temperatures than furnaces, which means they need higher airflow rates to deliver the same amount of heat. Ductwork that was sized for a furnace sometimes needs modification for a heat pump.
When Ductless Makes Sense
If your Burnaby home has no ductwork — or has an older gravity furnace system with ducts that aren't suited for modern heat pump airflows — a ductless mini-split is typically the practical choice.
Ductless mini-splits are also preferred when:
- You want to add heat pump heating and cooling to a specific area (basement, addition, suite) without tying into the main system
- You want independent zone control per room without major ductwork modifications
- Installation cost is a priority (ductless installs are generally less expensive than major duct modifications)
- You're heating a newer or recently renovated space that wasn't designed for central HVAC
The trade-off: wall-mounted indoor heads are visible in the room. Most people find them much less intrusive than they expected — they're white, slim, and quiet — but if the aesthetic of a visible unit doesn't work for you, ceiling cassette options are available.
Multi-Zone: The Best of Both
For larger homes wanting independent room control without the full cost of a VRF system, a multi-zone mini-split system connects one outdoor unit to multiple indoor heads. Each head is independently controlled. This works well for:
- Multi-storey homes where different floors need different temperatures
- Homes with secondary suites or rental units wanting separate zone control
- Additions or recently renovated areas being added to the heating system
The Bottom Line for Burnaby Homes
**Older home with no central ductwork:** Ductless mini-split, almost certainly. Clean install, no ductwork modifications, done in one to two days.
**Home with existing furnace and duct system:** Ducted heat pump replacement is usually the right call. Assess ductwork condition first.
**Home with specific zone control requirements:** Multi-zone ductless system.
**Large home with multiple floors needing even distribution:** Ducted system with proper duct balancing, or a multi-zone ductless if ductwork modifications aren't practical.
Still not sure? We assess hundreds of Burnaby homes and can give you a direct recommendation based on your specific situation.