Mini split units have become very popular with DIY individuals and can be very beneficial when heating an cooling a home or business.
Their low cost to operate and install compared to traditional HVAC units makes them ideal in many scenarios.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Mini Split?
The Average cost for a 12000 BTU (1-ton) mini split is $700-1200 dollars.
Like any HVAC product, the cost of a mini split varies depending on how large the unit is and the manufacturer.
The average-sized mini split is 12000 BTU, which is equal to a 1-ton HVAC unit.
A 1200 square foot home would have roughly a 2-1/2 ton unit to cool the whole house.
Units can be bought smaller or larger depending on the need with the price to reflect the size.
DIY mini split kits can be bought online or from an HVAC business.
HVAC contractors and businesses often try to sell the brands they work with and get a discount on. This does not mean that they are a bad unit but doing your own research on a unit before buying is the best option.
Reading reviews on Amazon and forums is always a good way to judge the performance of a unit.
How Much Does It Cost To Install Mini Split?
The cost to hire someone to install a mini split system will run between $1000-$5000 dollars.
This can, of course, vary widely and depend on the location along with the time of year the unit is installed, which can influence the price.
The cost to Install a mini split yourself is minimal, with the cost of basic HVAC tools at roughly $200 dollars plus the DIY mini split kit.
Mini split systems are widely popular in the Do-It-Yourself community. They do require some skill to install, but with the many YouTube videos and online tutorials, a moderately skilled DIY type person can often install a mini split.
When the weather is very hot or cold, HVAC technicians become very busy and in demand. The cost to install an HVAC unit will go up since someone else will be willing to pay more in that time period for an installation or repair.
When the weather is nice, calls drop, and a technician can sometimes sit around for days with minimal work. During this time, they become more competitive for jobs and will often work for less if necessary.
A town growing rapidly can also reflect the cost to install a unit since HVAC service technicians can stay busy doing installs even in nice weather.
The only way to know the prices at your location is to call around and get quotes from HVAC install companies.
Of course, installing the unit yourself will have huge cost savings, and one reason mini split units are so popular with DIY type individuals.
If you install a mini split yourself, some basic tools will be needed, such as an HVAC vacuum pump and gauges with low cost sets available for $100-$200 dollars.
Are Mini Split Units Cheaper to Install Than Traditional HVAC Units?
Yes, mini split units usually coat lees to install compared to traditional HVAC units.
It can vary how efficient the unit is as a higher Seer unit will cost more compared to a lower Seer unit.
It is always best to get quotes to know the exact difference the cost will be.
How Much Does It Cost to Operate a Mini Split?
Mini splits are much less to operate than conventional HVAC units for a couple of reasons.
The first reason is they are very efficient units with a high Seer rating compared to traditional HVAC units.
Another reason is that they don’t cool or heat an entire home. Since there is no ductwork to push the treated air through a home, they are very effective at cooling the space they are located in.
For example, my home has a traditional HVAC unit that cools or heats the entire three-bedroom home.
I also have three mini splits installed strategically throughout the house.
Often I have no need to keep the whole house at a set temperature. If I am in the living room, then I only need that area comfortable. And the same when sleeping, only the bedroom really needs any temperature control. Heating and cooling the other side of the house is a waste of money for me.
This example obviously won’t fit everyone but is an example of why using them can save money as heating or cooling areas that don’t need it run electricity cost up.
Another reason they are cheaper to run is that they are simply smaller units with fewer moving parts.
Conventional HVAC units need not only a large compressor and condensing fan motor but also needs a large blower motor to push the treated air through ductwork and out vents.
A conventional unit also must pull the air back through the unit to be cooled or heated.
These larger and added parts cost more to run than a mini split that has smaller parts and no need for a large blower motor to circulate the air.
Summary
A mini split system can be a great added value to a home or business. They can be placed in an area that needs its own climate control without the need to run a large, expensive HVAC unit.
They are also highly efficient units with a high Seer rating which makes them cost less to operate.
The benefits of a mini split are cheaper costs to install compared to standard HVAC units and cheaper electricity costs.
The cost to buy and install a mini split will vary depending on where the unit is bought and who installs it.
Unfortunately, there is no set price when it comes to installs, and it depends on the location you live in and the dynamics of the economy and weather.
Buying the best mini split unit can be done by reading reviews on Amazon, forums, or here, giving you the knowledge you need to get the best unit for your money.
Have you bought and installed a mini split unit? Let us know how much it costs you to install below.