HI Picky, There are lots of relatively recent posts here. Search "minisplit" and "mini split". That ought to keep you busy for a couple of hours :-) If you come back with questions, let us know if you are replacing a ducted system, adding cooling to a home with heating only (along with what kind of heat) and some details about your home's layout and construction. There are lots of helpful people here.

Thank you all for the responses. In short, based on responses here and some more research sounds like it doesn't pay to go with a mini split for a 3200 soft home (that's without the basement) + I think the look is too aggressive and trying to keep a clean minimal look.. even the ceiling cassette units that are relatively minimal stand out a lot... I think ill stick with a gas HVAC system and use coil so the air won't be as dry in the winter and also install a dehumidifier to have it nice in the summer... I did want to have a DAMPER for each room but was told that it can create issues and I need to limit each zone to maybe one or 2 damper tops per zone otherwise the unit can start icing and causing issue as they get "chocked" As for geothermal, My architect did tell me to look into it but once again don't know if it make sense for me. Don't know anyone who has it and its seems like it would be adding a big headache with starting to dig again..... @Ray Austin Thank a lot. I'm hearing this a lot where it will take so many years for me to see a return on investment and probably docent make sense... @mike_home yes I have gas and I will be using gas for the HVAC & domestic water. @Steve Greenberg I was explains that one outdoor unit will be able to handle about 4 zones but it seems per the comments here and other research I did for a house of api 3300 sqf it doesn't make sense finically to go with the mitzubishi + I'm not crazy about the look of them (cassette units) Im also concurred that the. entire house as a whole won't feel as comfortable (temp controlled) when there are so many individuals zones. BTW I was told they can work until -13° but in the nyc area we down really get to those temps.. @fsq4cw I wanted to to floor radiant but its going to be very pricy to do my entire home.. so with no choice I have to let it go.. as for Air-to-Water technology im concurred going with something that is not well known and don't have experience with... @sktn77a this is my findings as well and think I will stick with HVAC and maybe add to each zone (level) a dumper to 1 or 2 rooms per zone. was told that having a dumber in each room can cause the unit to choke and create problems like icing... @tangerinedoor you actually strengthened my fears of being concurred that the entire house or level will not be air conditioned evenly if doors not opened and/or installing another system (CERV)... leading me to stick with HVAC im curious to know how much more expensive was the mini slipt vs an HVAC assuming you got a quote in HVAC. not in dollars and cents but in percentages..

"Crawlspaces are not in the conditioned space though." Crawl spaces, like attics, can be either "vented" or "unvented" and meet the requirements of the International Residential Code. Sealed, conditioned crawl spaces are indeed in the conditioned space (thermal and pressure boundary) of a home. "That's what the fuss is all about. Efficiency is great if it has a monetary gain. Of course if money is no object, then you're just doing it to impress strangers." While you're looking at this from an HVAC standpoint, Ray, there are a number of reasons to construct a conditioned crawl space in lieu of a conventional, vented crawl space. That's the building science part. Our company has been designing and building conditioned crawl spaces since 1999. We've found that there isn't a big savings in energy cost, but there are significant benefits gained by minimizing the potential for condensation on duct work and other surfaces, minimizing the potential for mold/mildew, improving the air quality in a home, and maintaining conditions which are less hospitable for termites and other insects. Think "big picture," Ray.

We have had a MrCool DIY minisplit for 9 years now with no problems. We are in a moderate climate where it heats and cools (temp. range 0-88 F with high humidity) These units come fully charged and are relatively easy to install. The 12,000 btu will condition about 500 square feet and cost is about $1200 now I believe. Of course tools are needed to drill a hole for the lines to the indoor head, and an electrical hookup plus an exterior placement for the unit, etc. But very affordable in comparison.