Ductless Air Conditioner Installation Cost: Installing A Mini-Split System

When it comes to air conditioners, today’s market offers a ton of options for every kind of homeowner and business owner out there.

Modern-day technology has made it possible for cooling systems to be more efficient and cost-effective than ever before, with consumers on the receiving end of it all. This is why ductless mini-split air conditioners have been all the rage lately.

Traditional central HVAC systems are less energy efficient than ductless, or "mini-split,” HVAC systems. There are a number of reasons for this, including the following:

They don’t lose energy through ducts: The traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems use ducts to distribute heated and cooled air throughout a building. These systems don't lose energy through the ducts. Because of leakage and insulation problems, these ducts have the potential to waste a significant amount of energy. Because ducts are not used in ductless systems, there is no energy loss associated with them.
They allow for more accurate temperature control: Controlling the temperature in various areas of a building using a conventional HVAC system can be challenging at best. They make it possible to exercise a greater degree of control over the temperature. Because ductless systems contain individual thermostats for each indoor unit, it is possible to set the temperature in each room or area independently using ductless technology. This allows for more precise control of the temperature and helps to reduce the amount of energy that is wasted.
They have a high energy efficiency ratio (EER): The energy efficiency ratio (EER) of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is a measurement of the system's energy efficiency. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) of ductless systems is typically higher than that of traditional systems. This means that ductless systems are able to provide a greater amount of heating or cooling for the same amount of energy.
They have a compressor with a variable speed: Many ductless systems have a compressor with a variable speed, which allows them to adjust their output to match the requirements of the building in terms of either heating or cooling. This helps to reduce the amount of energy that is consumed while simultaneously improving overall efficiency.

Moreover, a ductless system can cool a given space way faster than a central home AC system.

Knowing all of this might make the ductless air conditioning system ten times more attractive to you. And yet there’s always that one thing standing between you and any new purchase—the costs.

The costs that come not only from buying the unit itself, but all that money going out of your wallet to make the mini-split system a steady fixation in your life too. Honestly, ductless systems can be a bit more expensive compared to most other models, and the same goes for installation. So you might be toeing the line, wondering if it is worth it after all.

So, I put together this short guide to help you figure out how much a ductless air conditioner costs, how much it costs to install, and what you should think about before buying one.

First, it might be helpful to understand the HVAC unit itself. This section goes over how much a mini-split system costs on the market, as well as the factors that influence the numbers.

Factors Affecting the Cost Of A Ductless System - Installing A Mini-Split System

In general, you can count on these factors to tip the price range of your ductless system upwards or downwards, depending on which direction they move in. Keeping an eye on these things could help you figure out which features you want and which you don't want in your HVAC system. This could help you save money by keeping you from buying things you don't need.

Number of Zones - Factors Affecting the Cost Of A Ductless System

The number of zones that can be cooled and heated by your ductless air conditioning system is likely the aspect that will have the greatest impact on the overall cost of your equipment. If you have ductless units, you can typically install them in any number of rooms you want, and each individual unit will cool the "zone" that it is in.

Now, this is a big project because, as you go along, you will be setting up more zones and more indoor units in different areas of the house. Because of this, it seems likely that the price of ductless mini-split systems that are used in more than one room will be higher.

Heating Element - Factors Affecting the Cost Of A Ductless System

The majority of ductless mini-splits come with heating equipment for the winter months, which means that you do not have to allow your AC components to sit idle during the second half of the year. However, as might be expected, this results in an increase in the price of the units. Also, the more efficient the unit is at heating, the more likely it is that it will be expensive.

Size - Factors Affecting the Cost Of A Ductless System

There are some rare cases in which the BTUs are not taken into account when calculating the cost of an air conditioning unit, but this is not the rule. The BTU unit, or British Thermal Unit, is essentially used to describe the size of the room that an air conditioner is cooling.

It stands to reason that a larger room would call for a unit that is capable of cooling the room's additional square footage. As a consequence of this, the cost of your unit may be affected.

For more information, be sure to check out How To Calculate BTU At Home DIY: BTU Calculator.

Indoor Unit - Factors Affecting the Cost Of A Ductless System

When it comes to the cost of ductless mini-splits, indoor units are another factor to take into consideration. The installation requirements for your system are primarily determined by the indoor units.

You can choose from different floor units, ceiling units, units that hang on the wall, and so on. Most of the time, wall-mounted units are not only the most affordable but also work best in most types of homes.

Cost of Ductless Air Conditioner Units - Installing A Mini-Split System

Let's talk numbers now that you're familiar with the process that goes into calculating the cost of an air conditioning unit.

The price of a mini-split ductless a/c unit that also includes a heat pump can range anywhere from $900 to $6,000, and that does not include the cost of installation.

The single-zone units have a BTU range anywhere from 6,000 to 48,000, and there are additional costs associated with accessories and installation. There is a good chance that you will be able to find Single Zone units priced between $1,900 and $3,000 if you are looking to purchase units on the cheaper end of the price range.

The price range for middle-tier ductless air conditioners can range from $3,000 to $4,000, while premium ductless air conditioners can cost up to $7,000.

Expect to pay a premium for multi-zone systems, with models ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 and the majority of standard and low-cost brands costing between $2,500 and $4,000 on average.

If you're looking for these units to be more energy efficient in addition to offering a wider variety of indoor units, you might try your luck with one of the models that cost $7000 or more. Also, these systems usually have more indoor units than other systems.

Factors Affecting the Installation Price - Installing A Mini-Split System

Some ductless units are easy to set up, while others can be hard to set up. The cost of installing your ductless system is usually based on a number of factors that are similar to the factors that go into figuring out the cost of the system itself.

Now, if the amount of money it will cost you to install the ductless system is your primary concern, you need to take into consideration the following aspects:

Number of Units - Factors Affecting the Installation Price

The ability to cool different rooms in your home as separate "zones" is one of the benefits offered by ductless mini-splits. This means that you won't have to spend additional money cooling a room that you aren't even going to be in. However, the cost of installation is a disadvantage of this option.

In order to get the most out of a ductless air conditioning system, you will need to install indoor units in each of the rooms or areas of the house that you want to cool. Additionally, a higher installation fee to cover all of the indoor units is necessary when there are more of them.

Keep in mind, as well, the price tag associated with installing the outdoor unit. It is possible that you will require more than one outdoor unit if you are making use of more than one indoor unit or if your indoor units are located at a significant distance from one another.

Efficiency - Factors Affecting the Installation Price

The effectiveness of your air conditioner has an impact, not only on the overall unit price but also on the amount it will cost to install. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, also known as the "SEER" rating, is a metric that can be utilized to ascertain energy efficiency:

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings are used to figure out how well air conditioners and heat pumps use energy. The SEER rating indicates how energy-efficient the system is.
SEER ratings are found by dividing a system's cooling output (in BTUs) by its energy input (in watts) over a typical cooling season. For example, the SEER rating of an air conditioner is 4.0 if it produces 10,000 BTUs of cooling while consuming 2,500 watts of energy (10,000 / 2,500 = 4.0).
SEER ratings are usually shown as a number between 8 and 25, with higher numbers showing more efficient systems.
It is important to note that SEER ratings are not a measure of a system's overall performance but rather of its energy efficiency.

Different homes and businesses may have to meet different energy efficiency standards. Your local HVAC provider can help you determine how much power an HVAC system needs to suit your building and can provide energy-efficient solutions.

A lot of ductless units usually have a SEER rating of more than 20. The higher the energy efficiency ratio, the more expensive the installation. Grappling with energy efficiency as a cost-driven factor is sort of a two-way street, though, as it also helps reduce overall costs by consuming less energy.

Installation Types - Factors Affecting the Installation Price

As was previously mentioned, different models come with a variety of mounting options, such as floor models, wall-mounted models, ceiling models, and so on. It is important to keep in mind that installing things on the floor or the wall is simpler and, as a result, less expensive. On the other hand, ceiling units could cause you to spend more money out of your own pocket.

Additionally, the type of siding that is currently on the walls of your home is significant because this is where holes will be drilled and wires will be installed in order to ensure a seamless connection. So, if you have brick or stone siding, you should definitely expect to pay more for the installation of your system than the average Joe would.

The Contractor - Factors Affecting the Installation Price

Another factor that plays a role in the decision is the kind of contractor that you go with to handle the installation of your HVAC system. A skilled, professional, and well-known HVAC technician will, of course, charge a lot more than a regular, run-of-the-mill HVAC technician.

Because installing a ductless air conditioner is not a job that can be done by a handyman or someone with less training, you will need to spend a significant amount of money on the latter option. You will, however, be able to rely on a skilled technician, which can be a relief.

In general, though, the best thing to do is make sure you hire a professional who is both licensed and has a lot of experience. This person should also have a good idea of how much different types of air conditioning units will cost to install. Most warranties won't be valid if you don't do this, so it is very important that you hire certified HVAC professionals.

You should also think about the neighborhood in which you live. Because of the high cost of living, the cost of installation will also be high. This is the natural order of things. That is to say, the likelihood that you will be required to pay a higher amount for installation increases significantly if you live in a large city or country as opposed to a small town.

Ductless Air Conditioner Installation Costs - Installing A Mini-Split System

Now, let's talk about the costs associated with installing your ductless mini-split:

On average, the cost of installing a ductless air conditioner for a single zone costs between $800 and $2500. In the meantime, the price of installing ductless multi-zone air conditioning can range anywhere from $1,600 to $5,000 or even more.

As was previously mentioned, the installation process can either be simple or complex. In general, low-cost, standard, and wall-mounted models are the easiest to set up. On the other hand, more expensive models from premium brands and different installation methods cost more to buy and set up.

Conclusion - Installing A Mini-Split System

Getting the right air conditioner for your home can feel like an uphill battle because you have to consider a variety of factors to determine which features are most important to you. This is especially true if one of your primary concerns is establishing and sticking to a budget.

Because they don't allow energy to be lost through ducts, allow for more precise temperature control, have a high energy efficiency ratio (EER), and often have a variable speed compressor, ductless heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are more energy efficient than traditional systems overall.

So, if you want a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that saves a lot of energy and works well for your home or business, a mini-split system might be a good choice for you and your way of life.

With the right idea, prior information, and knowledge of how things work within this market, you will be able to make an HVAC system purchase that is reasonable, cost-effective, and efficient.

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