The answer to 'central air vs mini split' is that both systems have their advantages and the best choice depends on your specific home and needs. Central air conditioning systems are a traditional whole-home solution that use a single outdoor unit to cool the entire house. Mini-split systems, on the other hand, use multiple indoor units connected to a single outdoor compressor, allowing you to cool specific rooms or zones as needed.
Central air systems tend to be more affordable upfront but require extensive ductwork installation. Mini-splits are more flexible and efficient, but can be more expensive to install. Mini-splits are a great option for homes without existing ductwork or for cooling additions/renovations. Both systems have similar operating costs, but mini-splits are generally more energy-efficient.