The popularity of tiny homes is growing across the country. They are typically less than 700 square feet and built to be portable. Tiny houses offer a compact, efficient lifestyle, but indoor comfort is just as important as it is in traditional, full-size homes. For tiny home owners who need options appropriate to a smaller scale residence, staying cool during the summer or warm during the winter poses particular challenges. For maximum indoor comfort in a small space, here are some HVAC design options. A window air conditioner is affordable and easy to install with minimal alterations. Window units, however, may be noisy in small indoor spaces. As they occupy a window, they also reduce outdoor light, which can be a major issue in tiny homes with limited windows. For winter warmth, electric space heaters will be needed since window air conditioners only cool the premises. Ductless mini-splits cool and heat the home without taking up window space or requiring ductwork. An individual room mini-split or a tiny house mini-split is designed for small spaces. Indoor air handlers are mounted on walls or ceilings, and an outdoor heat pump can be hard-mounted to the house’s exterior wall. A narrow refrigerant conduit connects the two units and only requires a three-inch opening in the exterior wall. Heat pumps cool like air conditioners in summer. During winter, they produce heat to keep the home warm. Mini-split systems are significantly more expensive than window units. A qualified HVAC contractor must also install the system due to its greater technical complexity. In the long run, however, heat pumps provide lower operating costs and greater cooling/heating efficiency due to their compact design, power, and energy efficiency.