Ductless air conditioner installation costs

Compatible outdoor condensers are typically required for a floor-mounted, ductless, mini-split system to operate correctly. Like the name suggests, this system is installed on the ceiling. It provides greater airflow due to its position and does not take up any wall space. It is good for homeowners who want their system out of sight.

Ceiling cassette styles come with a standard operating range between 9, and 18, BTUs. The fans can normally be set by timers and have quiet operations. This is a larger version of the ceiling cassette. It installs suspended from your ceiling, so it gets better airflow and does not take up wall space. It is more obvious, however, coming down further from the ceiling in some instances.

A major benefit of this type of design is the capability to move the air around the room more efficiently. The style option is ideal if you have large areas of a home to heat or cool. This is also a ceiling-mounted system that hooks up to one or more existing ducts in your home.

It cools larger amounts of space with one unit, including multiple rooms with ductwork and vents connected to them. Heating capabilities can also be included in this type of system and other types that obtain a heat pump 3.

This is a completely self-contained air conditioning unit that is generally concealed in a vertical cabinet. It is a single-zone system and does not require indoor and outdoor components, making installation a little bit easier in some instances. These systems are usually designed for portable use and can be an option for venues looking to provide cooling for guests.

They could also be a space-saving choice for temporary spaces that require cooling. The brand that you choose for your ductless air conditioner affects the overall price of the project.

Certain brands are more costly than others and may have higher-end features. For instance, brands could include whisper-quiet operation, higher efficiency ratings, programmable features, and smart home connectivity.

The following are a few top providers of ductless air conditioning models and their average costs without installation. The multi-zone unit handles heating and cooling for up to eight separate rooms, with only one outdoor compact component needed. An affordable single-zone Daikin model is available and typically meant for homes that only need cooling in a small space or one or two rooms.

Daikin offers two types of warranty options. It comes with a standard six-year type covering the compressor, indoor unit, and repair costs. An extended warranty option keeps you protected for 12 years and can be purchased before the unit is installed in your home. Mitsubishi specializes in a variety of system options for homes in need of ductless air conditioners. Indoor and outdoor units are offered along with hybrid varieties. Model highlights from the brand include wall-mounted, ceiling cassette, floor-mounted, and horizontal mounted.

The company provides indoor and outdoor system options depending on your heating and cooling needs. Systems can be managed through various thermostat 2 devices, including wired controllers, handheld types, and smartphones. The Mitsubishi ductless AC cost is more expensive upfront but can have long-term savings due to recent investments in high-efficiency designs.

Mitsubishi comes with a five-year parts warranty with purchase. The compressor for their units is covered under warranty for up to seven years. A year warranty option can be purchased for these mini-splits. Fujitsu produces both a single-zone and multi-zone mini-split option under their Halcyon product line. The single-zone air conditioner cools one room and can be floor-mounted, wall-mounted, universal ceiling style, or cassette.

The multi-zone system accommodates anywhere from two to five zones with a ceiling and wall-mounting kit option. The Fujitsu mini-split warranty covers five years for parts and seven years for the compressor.

Any accessories are covered for 90 days. An extended warranty for 12 years is available for purchase. LG specializes in residential mini-split options and only has a few light commercial products. LG has a range of single-zone models, multi-zone models, and split units for indoor and outdoor use. The majority of the multi-zone systems from LG accommodate up to five zones within a single residence. Style options for the brand include cassette, wall-mounted, and floor-mounted. Larger systems include wall-mounted thermostat controls.

Smaller systems use remote controls for adjustments. Most LG mini-split warranties cover all parts for five years and the compressor for seven. The LG mini-split warranty provides both ten-year coverage for parts and the compressor in some models at an extra cost. Labor costs for installation are calculated in several ways--the size of the system, the number of units, the placement of the system, and how difficult it is to access.

In general, the labor for a multi-zone system will be roughly twice the cost of labor for a single-zone system. Mini-splits must be installed by an HVAC professional.

HVAC contractors should always have a valid license and an up-to-date certification. Professional HVAC contractors are needed due to the handling of the refrigerant line as part of the installation process. Also, electrical connections with high-voltage wires are usually required when installing a mini-split.

The type of installation you need depends on how many indoor air handlers you have and the kind of system you purchase. In general, installation is carried out by first installing the brackets for the indoor unit and creating a hole for the tubes and refrigeration line.

These are fed through the hole ahead of the unit so that they can be connected outside. The unit is hardwired to your electricity. The indoor unit is mounted and installed on its bracket in the wall. The outdoor unit is installed next, either on a roof or a pad adjacent to a wall. The tubing and lines from the indoor unit are connected to the outside unit. All the wiring from the outdoor unit needs to be connected to the interior unit and electricity.

The outdoor unit will be placed and installed in its final location. If you have a multi-zone system installed, the same process is carried out with the internal components, connecting each of them to the outdoor unit one at a time. The system is then tested to ensure it works properly. While there is a DIY package available, in most cases, it is recommended to have your unit installed by a professional, particularly when connecting multiple zones or mounting anywhere other than the wall.

When choosing the size of the system that you need to cool your home or heat, if your system also includes a heat pump , determine the number of BTUs needed for the square footage. The chart below provides a basic idea of the unit size you need based on the square feet of the area you are installing it in:.

Compare prices from ductless air conditioner installers near me Compare Quotes. The amount of electricity your system uses varies depending on location, size of your home, unit size, how often it runs, and how much insulation your home has. To lower your costs even more, consider adding additional insulation to your attic. Homeowners can estimate that a standard mini-split model with 9, BTUs will run on watts to watts if used conservatively.

However, during peak loads, the same mini-split could run at 2, watts or more for cooling purposes. Save on your energy bills by considering types that have low EER ratings. EER stands for energy efficiency ratio and is calculated by dividing the BTUs of a mini-split by the wattage.

The higher the EER, the better. Many factors go into determining the cost of your mini-split system. This includes the system type, number of air handlers 1 or zones, system size, and installation complexity. Even the brand of the unit influences the total cost, as can purchasing more efficient units that use less energy to cool your home.

The area you live in also plays a role, with some states having higher or lower installation costs for this type of system. Square footage plays a large role in determining the final price, including the ductless mini-split air conditioner installation cost. How much space do you need to heat and cool? How many single split or multiple split units will need to be professionally installed to accommodate your parameters?

Some homeowners save money by zoning out their heating and cooling requirements. For example, you may choose to use only a mini-split to cool the downstairs of a two-story home. Multi-zone systems will be the most costly not only to install but also to run. Accessibility impacts the final cost of the project.

For instance, if you need any construction or electrical work done to accommodate the mini-split, the cost increases. Most mini-split systems include a warranty that covers the unit for up to ten years. Review warranty options with contractors to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Review ductless mini-split electrical requirements with your contractor before installation since this could affect the ductless AC system cost. For small systems, you will likely be able to rely on a volt service. However, any system over 12, BTUs is likely to require volts. Your contractor may recommend a surge protector for the mini-split. A surge protector prevents power spikes from reaching the mini-split.

These power spikes can cause internal damage and shorten the lifespan of the units. As far as amps, it depends on how many mini-splits you have in the home. On average, you can estimate the need at 15 to 45 amps for every mini-split.

Since the mini-split runs on amps, it requires a dedicated circuit. Nothing else can be run on the same circuit as a mini-split to prevent any issues, such as blown fuses. Check with your local municipality to determine if you need a disconnect box for the mini-split. The disconnect box allows for the system to be safely turned off during service appointments or repairs.

Your electrical service panel may need to be upgraded before a mini-split installation to accommodate the added voltage. If your home does not currently have ducts, having ductless air conditioning units installed is a much less invasive method of delivering heat and air conditioning to your home.

You will have a single hole cut for each handler instead of needing to find ways for the ducts to travel through your home. Because the system does not have ducts, it will not get as dirty.

Vents collect a lot of dust and debris over time, which means that your ducts need to be cleaned on occasion to free them up and keep the unit working at its best. Also, ducts can begin to leak air over time, which may lower the efficiency of a unit. Without ducts, a mini-split system does not lose its efficiency in the same way and can be even more efficient in many cases.

Keep in mind that these systems may not add value to your home if you already have ducts. They may not cool large homes on hot days effectively without multiple handlers. Mini-split systems can last 10 to 15 years on average if they are regularly maintained.

This means cleaning the exterior of both components regularly, removing the covers, and cleaning the coils and internal pieces. In addition, have your unit serviced twice a year to ensure that it is cleaned and operating at peak efficiency.

Turn off the unit before removing the filter for cleaning. Although each model is different, most ductless air conditioner filters can be wiped clean with a dry cloth. Clean the filters every six weeks while operating the unit. Coils can be wiped clear of dust at this time before replacing the filters. Check the outdoor components for any debris or dirt.

The following table contains ductless HVAC system prices by the number of zones without installation. Individual ductless heating and cooling system components are also sold separately for system customization. Mitsubishi split system air conditioners are customizable and operate efficiently in extreme heat and cold.

Fujitsu split system air conditioners are discreet, have deodorizing filters, are energy-efficient with zone control, and comes in several design options. Central air is more effective for larger homes, while ductless mini-splits cost less to run and maintain. The most cost-effective choice depends on the size of the home and whether the house has pre-existing ductwork. Mini-splits with a higher SEER rating are more efficient and cost less to run. Installing a single-zone mini-split AC takes a professional less than one day.

Installing a multi-zone ductless mini-split system takes one to four days , depending on the number of zones, type of air handlers, and complexity. Mini-split air conditioners last 15 to 20 years when properly maintained. In comparison, conventional AC units last 10 to 15 years. Cleaning the filters and air handler monthly and hiring an HVAC technician to inspect the system annually prolongs its lifespan. AC units with higher SEER ratings cost more upfront but are more energy-efficient and lower electric bills.

Ductless mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps are both equally effective at cooling. A ductless air conditioner only provides cooling, while a heat pump is capable of heating and cooling a home. Home Depot outsources this work to a network of local installers. These HVAC installers are licensed, insured, and background checked. Installing a new ductless air conditioning system in a house with no previous ductwork increases home value.

If the home has existing ductwork, replacing the central AC system with a ductless mini-split does not add value to the home. DIY mini-split systems come with wall-mounted indoor air handlers and are pre-charged with refrigerant, so no EPA license or special tools are needed for installation. It improves cooling efficiency, lowering your air conditioning bills, and it can even extend the life of your mini-split. Either way, the upfront investment can save you significant amounts of money in the long run.

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Thank you for choosing an FurnaceCompare. Skip to content. Here is what you need to know about ductless air conditioner pricing: How much does a ductless air conditioner cost? Ductless air conditioner prices Ductless air conditioners run the gamut from just a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Installation costs Ductless air conditioner installation costs also vary. New vs. We can help find the right HVAC system for your home! Thank you! Your FurnaceCompare. Explore Trane furnaces. Lennox Lennox specializes in innovative technologies that maximize efficiency and minimize noise. Explore Lennox furnaces. Explore Goodman furnaces. System Type —. Home Size —. HVAC Features —. Factors that affect ductless air conditioner prices The size of the area where you want to add the mini-split and the difficulty of installation are two of the biggest factors that influence the price of ductless air conditioners.

Costs to run a ductless air conditioner Ductless air conditioners have a typical life span of 12 to 15 years, compared with 15 to 20 years for a conventional system. Additional costs to consider Like any air conditioner, ductless mini-splits work best in homes that are properly insulated.

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