The short answer
A ductless heat pump connects an outdoor unit to indoor units that serve particular spaces. The layout must account for separate rooms and closed doors; one head in a hallway is not a promise of whole-home comfort.
Start with the rooms you actually use
Sketch the floor plan and mark bedrooms, living spaces, stairs and rooms that stay closed. Tell the designer which spaces need both heating and cooling. Ask how the proposed indoor units address those needs and what happens in rooms without their own unit.
Decide where the indoor equipment belongs
Discuss appearance, access for cleaning and servicing, airflow near beds or seating, and the route for connections and drainage. Do not select the location solely because it hides the equipment. In a suite, coordinate access with the occupant and obtain the property owner’s approval.
Bring strata conditions into the first conversation
An outdoor location may involve common property, exterior penetrations and neighbours. For a North Shore apartment or a Burnaby townhouse, bring the actual bylaws and any council requirements. A product brochure cannot establish permission for that building.
Ask for a clear coverage and service plan
The quote should identify each indoor unit, the rooms it serves and the outdoor equipment it connects to. Ask what electrical work, finishing, controls and commissioning are included. Confirm the maintenance access and the process for reporting a fault after installation.
Prepare for your assessment
- Floor plan with regularly closed rooms
- Indoor location preferences
- Outdoor space and strata rules
- Heating and cooling priorities by room
Common questions
Will a hallway unit heat every bedroom?
Do not assume it will. Closed doors and the room layout must be considered in the coverage plan.
Can a condo owner install a mini-split independently?
Building ownership, strata approvals and the technical design need review before exterior or shared-property work.
Continue planning
Sources & further reading
Speak with Robert Hamilton at BeeWarm about your property and confirm availability, qualifications and the accepted scope. Find your Lower Mainland service area.
Published October 8, 2026 by BeeWarm. General planning guidance, not an installation procedure. Exact requirements depend on the equipment, property and authority.