Homeowners regularly ask us, “How much does it cost to install a new ductless mini-split air conditioner?” In general, the cost ranges from $1,850 to $8,000+, with the average being $2,600.
Four factors determine the price: the number of indoor units, the size of the system, its energy efficiency rating, and the heating and air conditioning company you hire.
True to its name, the mini split is split into 2 main components: outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit. However, unlike a central A/C system, a mini-split unit can have many indoor units. Each indoor machine creates its own “zone” of comfort, allowing you to cool individual rooms with separate remote controls. The more indoor units you want, the higher the final cost. “Size” refers to the mini-split cooling capacity, measured in tons or BTUs. The greater the mini-split, the more it costs, and proper sizing is crucial. Oversized or poorly located air handlers can result in short-cycling, which wastes energy and does not give typical temperature or humidity control, and it is more pricey to buy and operate a central HVAC system. Too small a unit will not give enough cooling, and too big a unit will waste energy. There’s no need to figure out what size you need, just find the right size by contacting a heating and air conditioning company that offers mini-split systems. Labor costs vary from company to company, making them difficult to predict, and heating and air conditioning companies respectfully charge hourly or flat rates. Hourly pricing will be given before any work is done. The actual price will not be known until the replacement is complete. After the installer determines the system’s size, the number of indoor units, and your desired energy efficiency, they will give you an actual price. This means that you can get the price upfront and then choose to get a price elsewhere if you want.