Why you might want a minisplit to heat and cool your home - Climate Connections

Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: Why you might want a minisplit to heat and cool your home

Podcast: Climate Connections
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale Center for Environmental Communication
Guest: Abby Hawes, Ethos Green Power
Date: June 1, 2026
Duration: 90 seconds

Episode Overview

This episode delves into how ductless heat pumps, known as minisplits, are changing the way people heat and cool their homes. Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz explores the practicalities, benefits, and real-world impact of this technology, with insights from Abby Hawes of Ethos Green Power in Wisconsin.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

What is a Minisplit?

Minisplits are ductless heat pumps increasingly used for home heating and cooling.
Consist of one outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor units by refrigerant lines.
Each indoor unit is typically wall-mounted and can be set to a different temperature.
Quote (Dr. Leiserowitz, 00:08):

"Despite the name, there’s nothing mini about the impact this technology can have on your comfort and bills."

Customizable Zoning and Comfort

Allows room-by-room temperature control (zoning), increasing comfort and energy efficiency.
Quote (Abby Hawes, 00:34):

"I generally like to put a unit in a bedroom so that you have the ability to shut your door at night and you are still being served by the heating and cooling of the minisplit."

Pros and Cons

Pro: High efficiency translates to comfort without high utility bills.
Con: Indoor units are visible and take up wall space, which some may dislike.
Quote (Dr. Leiserowitz, 00:43):

"The units are visible and take up wall space, which some people consider a drawback. But there are also many benefits."

Real-World Impact

Before installing minisplits, people might rely on expensive and less effective solutions like window AC units.
Minisplits make continuous, affordable climate control possible.
Quote (Abby Hawes, 01:06):

"They’d turn [the window AC] on, try to cool off, they’d stand in front of it and then they would shut it down because it’s expensive to run those."
Now, with minisplits:
- Residents no longer have to choose between comfort and cost.
- Quote (Dr. Leiserowitz, 01:12):
  
  "But with their new heat pumps, they can afford continuous cooling, so minisplits can make a big difference for residents."

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

Impactful introduction:

"Despite the name, there’s nothing mini about the impact this technology can have on your comfort and bills."
(Dr. Leiserowitz, 00:08)
Practical advice on placement:

"I generally like to put a unit in a bedroom so that you have the ability to shut your door at night and you are still being served by the heating and cooling of the minisplit."
(Abby Hawes, 00:34)
Highlighting efficiency benefits:

"They’d turn [the window AC] on... then they would shut it down because it’s expensive to run those."
(Abby Hawes, 01:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:01-00:34 – Introduction to minisplit heat pumps and how they work
00:34-00:43 – Advice on minisplit placement for maximum comfort (Hawes)
00:43-01:06 – Discussion of pros/cons; visible units vs. high efficiency
01:06-01:12 – Real-world example: moving from window AC to minisplits
01:12-01:20 – Conclusion: minisplits’ potential for affordable, continuous comfort

Tone

The episode maintains an informative and encouraging tone, focusing on practical improvements individuals can make for energy savings and climate comfort, featuring both expert and on-the-ground perspectives.

For more, visit climateconnections.org.

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Transcript5 lines

[00:02]
A
I'm Dr. Anthony Lyzewitz, and this is Climate Connections. A growing number of people are heating and cooling their homes with ductless heat pumps called Mini Splits. And despite the name, there's nothing mini about the impact this technology can have on your comfort and bills. Mini Splits have an outdoor unit that connects to one or more indoor units with a refrigerant line set. Those indoor units are typically wall mounted, and each can be set to the temperature of your choosing so you can make certain parts of your home warmer or cooler.
[00:34]
B
I generally like to put a unit in a bedroom so that you have the ability to shut your door at night and you are still being served by the heating and cooling of the Mini Split.
[00:44]
A
Abby Hawes of Ethos Green Power in Wisconsin says the units are visible and take up wall space, which some people consider a drawback. But there are also many benefits. The technology is very efficient, so you can stay comfortable without racking up high utility bills. For example, Hawes says before getting Mini Splits, one of her clients relied on a window AC unit.
[01:06]
B
They'd turn it on, try to cool off, they'd stand in front of it and then they would shut it down because it's expensive to run those.
[01:13]
A
But with their new heat pumps, they can afford continuous cooling, so Mini Splits can make a big difference for residents. Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.