Mini split pricing

[pmiranda]

I finally got around to getting a quote on putting in mini-splits in my shop. It's about double for what I found on hvacdirect. Is labor and markup that high these days?
I guess I'll have to get more quotes but there aren't a ton of authorized installers in the area and it's already gonna take a month to get on the schedule.

 

[pmiranda]

It's likely I'm just being cheap. I'll have to compare it to the cost of the rest of the build to make it seem small

 

[nafterclifen]

For what it's worth, I paid $2800 for a small, private company to install a Fujitsu 12k BTU mini split on 9-9-20.

 

[CombatNinja]

Sounds about right because that is about a $950 unit wholesale. Mini split pricing has actually become more reasonable over the last decade as the product has gained acceptance in the U.S. market and HVAC companies have grown comfortable with the equipment. There was a time not long ago that a ductless mini split was seen as some sort of of European witchcraft and every HVAC company in town would try to talk you out of installing one. If that didn't work, their estimate would seal the deal.

 

[Sapper]

I just installed my second one myself. They are easy to diy.

 

[Git]

Costco currently has the 24k Mr Cool DIY for sale. If that is around the size your looking for, I would jump on it

 

[NBN]

Another thing to factor in is timing. You're either going into or already in the summer heat. Contractors are busy and will expect a premium for their service right now. Wait until fall or winter when A/C work has fallen off. You may find better labor rates in the slower seasons

 

[CombatNinja]

That is a good price for 24,000 BTUs and 20 SEER efficiency.

 

[jjgrappler]

I just paid 1700 and change for an 18k Mr. Cool DIY unit installed myself. Easy enough if you're handy

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I think some of the cost differences are regional. In the Houston area, going with any reputable A/C installer, for a 240v 9000 BTU minisplit, it's almost guaranteed to cost at least $3000. It only goes up from there. My parents got a quote for a Haier 120v 9000 BTU unit installed for around $1500 in Louisiana.

 

[KenC]

I think some of the cost differences are regional. In the Houston area, going with any reputable A/C installer, for a 240v 9000 BTU minisplit, it's almost guaranteed to cost at least $3000. It only goes up from there. My parents got a quote for a Haier 120v 9000 BTU unit installed for around $1500 in Louisiana.

It is also very brand dependent. Haier is one of the cheaper units. Mitsubishi is probably the highest locally. Just compare prices online.

My Pioneer was about $1000-1100. an equivalent Mits was well over 2500. This was a couple of years ago.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

It is also very brand dependent. Haier is one of the cheaper units. Mitsubishi is probably the highest locally. Just compare prices online.

My Pioneer was about $1000-1100. an equivalent Mits was well over 2500. This was a couple of years ago.

I was assuming we all knew the brand price difference is a given.

 

[nadogail]

Installing a line set in an existing building is very labor intensive. AC Installers like to be paid enough to drive new pickups and eat steak.

 

[Tman]

I ordered a Mr Cool through my local Lowes. If you are a Vet you get a 10% discount. They do not stock it but it was drop shipped from the distibuter in Kentucky.

 

[dcg9381]

I finally got around to getting a quote on putting in mini-splits in my shop. It's about double for what I found on hvacdirect. Is labor and markup that high these days?
I guess I'll have to get more quotes but there aren't a ton of authorized installers in the area and it's already gonna take a month to get on the schedule.

Markup on HVAC equipment is easily 100% around here. Often, you can mount this stuff, run the lines, get it all setup and find someone to do the leak testing and start up procedure for you, but you'll have to find an independent or someone that will do it for cash.

 

[Git]

I ordered a Mr Cool through my local Lowes. If you are a Vet you get a 10% discount. They do not stock it but it was drop shipped from the distibuter in Kentucky.

It's hard to compete with Costco's pricing and return policy, when they have them in stock. What size and how did you pay for the one from Lowe's?

 

[KenC]

I was assuming we all knew the brand price difference is a given.

Well, I do, but the post I responded to compared an unknown brand quote to a Haier, known to be a very cheap unit. So that may not be universally known. Just pointing out the biggest price driver, brand.

 

[Tman]

It's hard to compete with Costco's pricing and return policy, when they have them in stock. What size and how did you pay for the one from Lowe's?

I think mine is the one posted above. I just printed off the page and took that to the Contractor desk and ordered it. Paid the man and had it drop shipped to my house in the country.

 

[pmiranda]

I was going to get Mitsubishi but the local dealer isn't expecting to get any stock until August and suggested Carrier instead. We have a Carrier in our house so I'm fine with that. This is an install in a new building with the interior walls completely open. 4 24kbtu and 1 9kbtu high wall units which go for about $14k online and the estimate is $29k installed. What's funny is the Carriers at our house cost less than that installed, but that was for just swapping the units and not running new line sets or ducting.

 

[Dividing Creek]

Bought the MR Cool 36k DIY version. Mr Cool comes in two packages Advantage which doesn't come precharged and they require a professional be involved with install for the warranty and their DIY which costs more but comes with a better warranty and is pre charged with freon. Purchased it from Ingrams Water and Air in Kentucky in May. It was back ordered and they took full payment to get on the list. It came in three weeks later exactly when they said it would and shipped on to me two days later. Total cost was around $2300 with the optional wall mount bracket for the condenser. Looks like prices on these units has jumped up quite a bit in past 2 mos.

 

[glentre]

As an alternative to a mini split, you might want to look into installing a Bard single package wall mounted unit on the exterior wall. Cost is considerably less than any mini and all you see inside are a supply and return grille. They come in 18k, 24k, 30k and 36k btu and either cooling or heat pump configurations. Also, no refrigerant lines and diy installation is easy.

Glen

 

[vavet]

I bought this Mr Cool 18k NON-diy unit in fall of 2019 for just under $800. I had a 10% off coupon for using my HD credit card IIRC, but still, less than $900. I had a friend with an HVAC habit/hobby help me install it, shorten the line set, and draw the vacuum.

MRCOOL Advantage 3rd Gen 18,000 BTU 1.5 Ton Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump 230V/60Hz A-18-HP-230B - The Home Depot

Provide comfortable temperature to your home with the selection of this MRCOOL Advantage 3rd Gen Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump.

www.homedepot.com

This did not include the lineset cover or the plastic/concrete pad that the outdoor unit sets on, but those were less than $100 combined.

It shows out of stock/not available now and equivalent 18k units are nearly twice as much now. As with a lot of things, I'm guessing the recent events in the news have caused shortages/increased prices of raw materials, components, and completed assemblies of these units. I sure am glad I got mine when I did. It's really nice walking into a sub-80 degree shop when it's 95 and humid outside.

 

[jhracer]

I had my local Lennox dealer install a 2 ton mini split in my shop last fall. I paid $3,500.

 

[Tman]

As an alternative to a mini split, you might want to look into installing a Bard single package wall mounted unit on the exterior wall. Cost is considerably less than any mini and all you see inside are a supply and return grille. They come in 18k, 24k, 30k and 36k btu and either cooling or heat pump configurations. Also, no refrigerant lines and diy installation is easy.

Glen

I looked at similar for my place as well. Might be a good option for our studi master upstirs

 

[Jackfre]

Sounds about right because that is about a $950 unit wholesale. Mini split pricing has actually become more reasonable over the last decade as the product has gained acceptance in the U.S. market and HVAC companies have grown comfortable with the equipment. There was a time not long ago that a ductless mini split was seen as some sort of of European witchcraft and every HVAC company in town would try to talk you out of installing one. If that didn't work, their estimate would seal the deal.

European witchcraft? Mini splits are straight out of Asia. Japan specifically, then Korea, China, etc. Europeans, like us, are the benefactors of the technology. Japan, a country about the size of CA has about 130 million people. It is mountainous, about devoid of resources and as a result they do really well on efficiencies for small spaces. I installed my first mini split in ‘78. The customer found it and specified it. I had never heard of them. We installed it and got it charged up, turned it on and it was magic. Cooling only, but pretty cool

 

[minytrker]

Costco currently has the 24k Mr Cool DIY for sale. If that is around the size your looking for, I would jump on it

Thats a good price, I paid $1699 shipped. I have 2 of them, one in my shop and one in my game room. I installed both myself in about 4 hours each.