Accessory dwelling units (ADUs, granny flats, converted garages) are going up all over Santa Barbara County. Each one needs heating, and most owners want cooling too. Because ADUs are small and often built without much room for equipment, the usual answer is different from a main house.
The usual choice: a ductless heat pump
A ductless mini-split heat pump heats and cools with one small outdoor unit and one or more indoor units mounted on a wall or in the ceiling. For an ADU that means:
- No ductwork to fit into a small building
- Heating and cooling from one system, on electricity
- Its own controls, separate from the main house
A ducted mini-split, with a compact air handler hidden in a closet or ceiling, is a good option when you'd rather see vents than wall units.
Plan it early
- Where the outdoor unit goes: clearances, noise toward neighbors, and the refrigerant line route.
- Electrical capacity: the heat pump needs its own circuit; make sure the panel plan includes it.
- Permit paperwork: new HVAC in California may need ECC (formerly HERS) verification by an independent rater; your energy compliance documents will say. See our post on what the ECC test means.
- Ventilation: California's energy code also sets ventilation requirements for new dwellings; your designer or energy consultant will spell them out.
We install ducted and ductless systems for ADUs and additions across the South Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley. We're a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor and a Carrier factory-authorized dealer. The quote on new equipment is free: tell us about your project or call 805-965-6326.