Old condensers, ductwork, and even thermostats could be removed in this process. And without all those extra materials, you might not even have as much labor to pay for. Read on to find out more about the cost of labor to install your mini-split. A mini-split AC installation cost runs about 50 percent less than a central AC unit, partly due to the lack of ductwork and extra labor needed. These costs are not a replacement for obtaining a proper quote and must not be relied upon for financial planning. Do you offer any guarantees, warranties, or maintenance programs. It's possible to install your own ductless heat pump, but strongly discouraged. Check for online coupons or mailer advertisements. The debate between solar water heaters and electric geysers gets heated (forgive the pun) every year as consumers become more eco-conscious. The most common size is a 12,000 BTUcapacity unit, and those usually cost an average of $3,000. We're happy to say that it's still possible. Constructing a pool using ICF offers several benefits over conventional pool construction methods, such as precast, shotcrete, and cast-in-place concrete. Doing it yourself or hiring a cheap installer might seem like an easy way to save money, but installing mini-split systems must be done right. Ask about units with built-in sensors that will automatically shut off at the desired temperature to avoid excessive energy costs. Yes. The more efficient the unit, the higher the SEER and HSPF rating. The system is composed of two main parts, the outdoor unit and up to eight indoor evaporative units with refrigerant lines connecting them. A ductless heat pump, commonly referred to as a mini-split, provides zoned heating and cooling to your home without needing to install new ductwork. On average, these units use between 700 and 2,000 watts per hour. If more rooms each need their own air-handling unit, then additional condensers can be purchased (typically $400 to $1,800 each), or a larger condenser can be installed. Radiant Floor Heating: How Much Electricity Does it Use? However, if youre in a high cost of living area, you might have to pay $100-$120 per hour. Only one thermostat is installed to control the unit. On the other hand, firms that charge more are more likely to invest in proper training and suitable equipment to do the jobcorrectly. Hiring an HVAC pro is the best way to make sure the installation goes smoothly, and your system works properly. Multi-zone systems usually work for two to five rooms. On average, permits can cost between $250 and $400. Complex installations increase labor time. If required in your location, your installer will know the cost. Otherwise, the HVAC technician is qualified to handle hooking up the in-room units. Mini-splits require their own dedicated circuit, and if the breaker panel is a long distance from the outdoor unit, this will likely bump up the labor cost because thats more wire to run, more conduit to install, and so on. An HVAC pro will need to assess the square footage of each room to ensure that the right unit and number of zones is purchased to do the job adequately. Technicians will have most mini-splits installed within 5 to 10 hours. If the condenser can be installed nearby, the total cost could end up being cheaper since the air-handling unit wont be positioned several rooms away. Read More Is a Humidifier Better Than an Air Conditioner? Factors That Affect Labor Cost of Installation, Distance From the Outdoor to the Indoor Units, Average Cost of Labor to Install a Mini Split Heat Pump*, How ERVs and HRVs Affect Humidity (Do they Dehumidify? Frigidaire: This brand has smaller units available for around $1,000 to $1,400. In this modern era, its almost a necessity to have some sort of temperature control in the house that works for your region. Here are the average costs of the most common components before installation: Other components include the accessory kit needed to install the system, including the wires, lines, boxes, and other necessary pieces. Help your neighbors make an informed decision. Always check with your HOA before installing anything outside your home. Are there any rebates or tax credits I can take advantage of? The alternative is to install more than one multi-zone system and compare costs. How Much Does Labor Cost to Install a Mini-Split? Required fields are marked *. The condenser will connect to a single indoor air-handling unit thats placed in an open common area or in the one room that needs heating or cooling. Below about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, most systems are no longer able to pull heat from the air and a supplemental system - like baseboard, a fireplace or space heaters - helps keep the home warm. Any mechanical system that improves the quality of life increases home value. Many central air systems are fairly loud when they run, often between 50 and 80 decibels. Consider getting a mini-split installed off-season when demand and prices might be lower. Insulation is a vital component of an energy-efficient home. Heat pumps require their own dedicated 220-volt circuit. Mini-split systems are available for purchase from online retailers, but not all of them are efficient or strong enough to get the job done for larger homes. The refrigerant in the line sets is pumped around the system, collecting heat energy from outside the building and making it available inside. A limited number of brands can even accommodate up to eight rooms. By using HomeAdvisor, you agree to our Terms & Conditions, Copyright 1999 - 2022 HomeAdvisor, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Average Cost to Install Ductless Heat Pump, Split Heating and Air Conditioning Wall Units (PTAC) vs. Ducted Heat Pumps, Install an Electric Baseboard or Wall Heater, Repair an Electric Baseboard or Wall Heater, Install a Geothermal Heating or Cooling System. What kind of problems or concerns should I call you about after installation? Find a Pro +. Carpenters charge an hour rate of $25 to $50 plus trip fees. Quality Heating and Sheet Metal Company, Inc. Our Second Netzero Solar Home Renovation (With Many Lessons), Hydronic Radiant Floor HeatingPros and Cons (Worth It?). Additionally, if the correct electrical outlets arent available, youll need to hire an electrician to install them anyway. This can lead to higher energy costs and eventual replacement costs for more powerful units down the road. Most homeowners do not calculate their homes size properly to choose the right unit for their needs. Its recommended to check with your municipality before starting this project. Leaving the system off on a warm day can mean a buildup of excess heat thats much harder for the unit to overcome efficiently. This means two things: less space is required to install the units and fewer materials are needed. Operating in dry mode can reduce the overall humidity, but it can also dry out the air too much, so its best to keep an eye on this setting. Have a pro assess whether a cheaper single-zone mini-split can provide the air control youre looking for in your home. Read More How ERVs and HRVs Affect Humidity (Do they Dehumidify?)Continue. Cutting costs by using an unlicensed technician means you cant be sure of the quality or integrity of their work. Similarly, a more considerable distance between units will require the refrigerant line sets and drains to be run over longer distances. There it is transferred to the room when the head unit blows air across the condenser coil, which heats up before being distributed by the fan in the head unit. You can also ask about numerous other brands, including Samsung, Cooper & Hunter, LG, and more. Beyond that, consider the following questions. Typically, you can expect installation to cost 10-15% more on the second floor. Even though a mini-split is often cheaper than a central air system, its still a chunk of change to hand over all at once. The short answer is yes, but it does also depend on the size of the house. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more. That reason could be that they are not licensed to carry out the installation of mini-splits. They can if they are switched to dry mode. Youll likely need to obtain a permit to install a mini-split system, particularly if its a multi-zone system. Mitsubishi: These units average $1,200 to $8,650 and are available for up to eight zones. In cooling mode, this process is reversed, and heat is collected inside the home and moved outside. Another benefit of mini-split systems is that they can be installed in older homes that simply cant accommodate the infrastructure needed for central air. Another benefit of mini-split air conditioners is that they often last longer than a traditional central air unit. This system includes a more powerful condenser unit based on the number of rooms that need their own air-handling unit. Add an extra hour or more of labor for higher floors and hard to access areas. When the head unit inside the building wants to start blowing warm air into the room, it sends a signal to the outdoor unit via the communication cable, which tells the compressor to start up. The best way to determine the size of pump you need for your space is to have a professional HVAC installer inspect your home and provide you with a quote. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. An HVAC installer will know specific pros and cons for your area, climate and home type, consult with one before deciding. Of these, people tend to go with a humidifier and air conditioner. They still use an outdoor compressor and condenser, but they feed each indoor air-handling unit with a simple conduit that operates like a heat pump. As mentioned, the further the outdoor and indoor units are from each other, the more electrical wiring must be run between the two. *The actual cost of labor for mini-split installation varies from project to project. AC units are expensive to run, heat pump types are more efficient. Overall, ductless systems can run between 20 and 60 percent more efficiently than traditional HVAC units. The indoor units are called air handlers or head units and are typically hung on the wall inside the home. The indoor evaporating unit is installed in each room where homeowners want individualized temperature control. By Brie Greenhalgh | Updated Jul 6, 2022 5:57 PM. Some homeowners could install a ductless AC unit and replace their old central air unit. Now lets look at some figures. Your homes layout, location, accessibility and heating and cooling needs will determine the actual costs. During the hot and humid summers, it should extract some humidity from the indoor air while infusing it with more humidity during the cold and dry winters. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of labor costs and what drives them, lets briefly remind ourselves of the different elements of a typical mini split installation. The longer the distance between the outdoor and indoor units, the higher the labor cost, for the same reason. Also, your contractor will spend more time going up and down the stairs with materials and tools. HVAC technicians are well trained to avoid such a problem, and theyll be able to quickly solve any issues that might arise during installation. What Is Involved in a Mini-Split Installation? Get to know everything about mini-split installation costs below. *Warranties may be voided with DIY Installations. Thinking about adding a new mechanical system to your house can feel confusing at times. We also participate in other affiliate programs which compensate us for referring traffic. If the mini-split is the only heating and cooling system in the house, controlling rooms independently can also reduce energy costs since the system only works hard in select areas. Basic single zone units run $700 to $2,200 but can vary depending on brand and location. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from mini-split installation services near you. Most mini-splits operate at 12,000 BTUs, but others could run up to 60,000 BTUs. Without those bulky ducts, homeowners dont have to worry about air leaking along the joints or corners, which is often the cause of some inefficient central systems. Otherwise, they will not run optimally and might suffer from breakdowns or decreased life expectancy. Higher ratings translate into lower energy bills and higher unit prices. Mini-splits can be installed as zones to cover one or more areas within a home. When an HVAC unit has a higher SEER rating, it will cost less to run since it operates more efficiently. There could also be an additional cost if there is no room left on the breaker panel for the new dedicated circuit. A single zone averages $2,000 to $8,800; a three-zone unit averages $3,400 to $13,400; and a five-zone unit averages $4,800 to $18,000. Some of the other factors that affect the overall cost of labor on a mini-split installationinclude: Lets have a look at these factors in a bit more detail. Read More Solar Water Heater vs. Electric Geyser (Energy and Price)Continue. Thanks to their high efficiency, their running costs are low. A mini-split installation cost ranges between $2,000 and $14,500, with an average of $3,000. Its also possible to install this in addition to an existing central HVAC system. That makes it a convenient and affordable option for homeowners who need a solution for just one room without upgrading an entire HVAC system. Dont scrimp on labor costs. Newer systems tend to run more quietly, but ductless systems run the quietest of all systems (32 decibels is common). In addition to the cables mentioned, you should know that mini-split heat pumps must be on their own dedicated circuit. Its much cheaper to remove old equipment rather than install it, so expect a price of $80 to $150 for removal. Sometimes homeowners use this system to heat or cool just their outside patio. Overall, mini-split systems cost up to 50 percent less than central air. All of those are great benefits that are explained in more detail below. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As youll see in the rest of this article, the sticker price of the units is not the only upfront cost you need to consider. A little-known fact is that some firms increase their prices when busy, so you could schedule the work during a less active time to save money. A drain is required to carry condensate away from the head units, routed through a hole in a wall into the sewer or storm drainage piping. To present the best overview of labor costs for installation, we have sourced expected labor costs from five of the top companies that publish estimates online. 2022 Attainable Home | All Rights Reserved. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from mini-split installation services near you. These systems work extremely well in milder climates without cold extremes. Homeowners will need to choose whether they want the in-room units mounted on the ceiling, wall, or floor or have them recessed. If youre prepared with the right questions to ask the HVAC company, you can avoid confusion, minimize miscommunication, and feel confident about your decision. While most homeowners can calculate the total mini-split cost with the previous factors, there are extenuating circumstances where additional costs could be necessary. The size of the house and the number of rooms primarily drive the cost. Mini-splits are a very efficient and popular means of heating and cooling your home. As always, first make sure the company is licensed and insured with an established business reputation. In terms of efficiency, the answer is still yes, you can run it all day. ), Solar Water Heater vs. Electric Geyser (Energy and Price), Is a Humidifier Better Than an Air Conditioner? Weve taken an average of these costs and presented them below, broken down by the size of the system, based on the number of zones served. Higher floor installations require more conduit and wiring. These cables provide power from the outdoor unit to all the interior head units and facilitate communications between them. Incorrect installation could even invalidate your warranty. The higher the SEER rating, the higher the up-front cost, but the system runs more efficiently. This mini-split type works well for small homes with average weather, attics, south-facing rooms, or even patios. As with most mechanical units, there are a variety of brands to choose from. Expect to pay a total of about $200 to $300. We explore the many available options, explain what they are, and where they work best. Its not uncommon for families to have one or two family members who prefer a different temperature. This makes service easier and means more available parts for maintenance. How Much Does it Cost to Install or Replace Kitchen Cabinets? What about if Im concerned about efficiency? Expect to pay $10 to $20 per foot for materials. SEER rating of 16 or greater is efficient. Granted, it still takes time to get the units up and running, but its usually faster than a full HVAC system. Its typically mounted to a wall or ceiling and doesnt take up a lot of space. * A ceiling cassette sits recessed into your ceiling to provide air flow without taking up wall space. It depends on the size of the unit and how many zones there are. With fewer components required to install a mini-split AC unit, theres less impact on the environment overall from creation to replacement. Read More The No-Nonsense & Comfy Ultimate Guide To Home InsulationContinue, Your email address will not be published. This process takes longer, mainly if the lines are to be enclosed with line hide or a similar type of conduit for protection and aesthetics. The struggle to keep everyone happy with the current temperature can be challenging, but there are ways around the problem. Even window air conditioning units cause a louder racket than that. Some of this is due to the large volume of air being sucked into the unit for cooling, and some of it is just the nature of mechanical units. Mini-split heat pumps don't work well in extremely low temperatures and need a supplemental heat source. For most mini-split AC installations, it will cost $300 to $1,500 to hire an HVAC technician. Mini-splits simply must have a hole drilled in the wall and the line sets, cables, and drains fitted. Different installation companies charge different amounts for installing mini-split systems. Homeowners who need multi-zone mini-splits find theyre a cost-effective solution for handling multiple rooms that need their own thermostats. Energy-efficient units often come with rebates from utility companies and tax credits from local and state governments. Running a new circuit may also require you to budget in the cost of upgrading your electrical box. Theyll also have a good pulse on the best brands that would most closely match your needs. Mitsubishi, Daikin, LG, Trane, Carrier and Fujitsu are a few. Some 5-zone systems reach $12,000. Sometimes you get what you pay for, and inexpensive firms are usually cheap for a reason. Here is the breakdown for each of these mini-split AC cost factors. A mini-split heating system operation costs vary by unit. Ductless Mini-Splits: Is It Worth It for Your Home? Mini-split installation costs are not as high as those of some projects, but there are still some variables to consider. Choosing whether you need a unit for a single zone or multiple zones is important. That being said, its all a matter of choosing the right size unit or units. Their expertise can save you money and ensure a boosted home value in the long run. All About ICF Pool Construction: Better Than Conventional? Decide whether you want to save on long-term energy costs or up-front installation costs. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. (Energy & ROI), Planning Ahead Pays Off With Solar Energy. For a customized setup, consider purchasing each component individually. You're HVAC professional may need the help of an electrician and a carpenter. There are decisions about the type of units you want to install and how you want them to be installed. Here are some examples and helpful hints to help you implement solar in your own home. A 15-amp breaker can handle the power load for up to 24,000 BTUs, and a 30-amp breaker is sufficient for up to 60,000 BTUs. They operate well even in extreme temperatures. Complete 5-zone kits can reach $13,000 in materials. Areas with more extreme temperatures might benefit from a higher SEER-rated system since it will probably run more often. In the long run, your best bet is to have a pro come over and do an estimate on how many units you need and how many BTUs those units should produce to cool your house properly.