Price guide · Heat Pumps & Mini-Splits
Mini-Split Installation Cost
Single-zone mini-split, installed
Quick answer: Installing a ductless mini-split costs about $3,000 on average for a single zone, with most installs between $2,000 and $5,000, according to Angi. HomeGuide puts one zone at $2,000 to $4,000, two zones at $3,000 to $8,000 and three or more zones at $7,000 to $17,000. Each extra indoor unit adds $400 to $1,800.
A mini-split connects one outdoor unit to one or more wall, ceiling or floor units through a small hole in the wall, with no ductwork. Angi puts professional installation at $2,000 to $5,000, about $3,000 on average for a typical 12,000 BTU single-zone system.
Cost by number of zones
| Zones | HomeGuide (installed) | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,000 – $4,000 | $500 – $5,000 |
| 2 | $3,000 – $8,000 | $1,400 – $7,700 |
| 3 | $7,000 – $11,000 | $1,800 – $9,100 |
| 4 | $9,000 – $14,000 | $2,600 – $10,700 |
| 5 | $11,000 – $17,000 | $4,400 – $12,000 |
Each zone is a separate indoor unit with its own thermostat. Angi says each additional indoor unit costs about $400 to $1,800.
Cost by size (BTU)
| BTU | Cost (Angi) |
|---|---|
| 6,000 | $450 – $1,600 |
| 9,000 | $600 – $2,300 |
| 12,000 | $700 – $3,200 |
| 18,000 | $1,000 – $4,200 |
| 24,000 | $1,100 – $5,200 |
| 36,000 | $1,800 – $6,000 |
Cost by brand
| Brand | Installed with materials (Angi) |
|---|---|
| MRCOOL | $700 – $5,900 |
| Daikin | $900 – $7,600 |
| LG | $900 – $7,600 |
| Fujitsu | $1,100 – $8,300 |
| Rheem | $1,100 – $8,300 |
| Mitsubishi | $1,200 – $7,800 |
| Panasonic | $1,200 – $7,800 |
Equipment and labor
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor unit | $1,000 – $5,500 | Angi |
| Indoor unit, each | $400 – $1,800 | Angi |
| Installation kit | $300 – $500 | Angi |
| Labor, single zone | $300 – $2,000 | Angi |
| Labor, multi-zone | $700 – $3,000 | Angi |
| Labor (typical install 4 – 6 hours) | $1,000 – $5,000 | HomeGuide |
| HVAC labor rate | $75 – $150 per hour | HomeGuide |
Electrical and other costs
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated circuit | about $250 | Angi |
| Dedicated 220V circuit | $250 – $900 | HomeGuide |
| Line set | about $5 per foot | Angi |
| Permits | $250 – $400 | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Removing old HVAC | $80 – $150 | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Condensate pump | $120 – $280 | Angi |
| Condenser stand | $100 – $210 | Angi |
Mini-split or central air?
HomeGuide lists ductless heat pumps for up to three zones at $2,000 to $11,000, compared with $7,000 to $16,000 for an HVAC system with ductwork. See central air installation cost and heat pump cost.
Maintenance
HomeGuide's AC maintenance guide lists mini-split maintenance at $100 to $400 per year, depending on the number of zones.
What a mini-split is
A ductless mini-split is a heat pump with an outdoor unit and one or more indoor heads mounted on a wall, ceiling or floor. A small line set runs through the wall to connect them. Each indoor head has its own controls, so rooms can be heated or cooled separately.
When a mini-split makes sense
- Room additions, garages or converted attics without ductwork.
- Rooms that are always too hot or too cold.
- Older homes where adding ducts is difficult.
- Homeowners who want room-by-room control.
Single-zone vs. multi-zone
- Single-zone: one outdoor unit and one indoor head. Simple and efficient.
- Multi-zone: one outdoor unit serving several indoor heads. Fewer outdoor units, but the system must be designed carefully.
What affects the price
- Number of zones and indoor heads.
- Head type: wall, ceiling cassette or concealed ducted.
- Length and routing of the line sets.
- Electrical work for the outdoor unit.
- Brand and efficiency rating.
DIY kits
Some brands sell pre-charged kits for homeowners. They can save money, but they may affect the warranty, and refrigerant work in general requires a certified technician. Check the warranty terms before choosing a DIY kit.
Questions to ask
- How many heads do I need, and where should they go?
- Where will the line set and condensate drain run?
- Is the installer certified by the manufacturer for an extended warranty?
In Texas
Mini-splits are popular in Texas for garages, workshops and additions, which often get very hot in summer. Indoor heads also need a condensate drain, and in humid parts of Texas they can remove a lot of moisture, so the drain path matters.
Choosing the indoor unit style
Wall-mounted units are the most common and least expensive. They mount high on a wall and blow air across the room.
Ceiling cassettes fit into the ceiling and blow air in several directions. They blend in better but cost more to install.
Floor-mounted units sit low on a wall, which suits rooms with sloped ceilings or limited wall space.
Ducted (slim duct) units hide in a ceiling or closet and use short ducts to serve one or several rooms. They are almost invisible but cost more.
The choice affects both cost and how the room looks and feels.
How installation works
The installer mounts the indoor unit and drills a small hole through the wall for the line set, which includes the refrigerant lines, the communication wire and the condensate drain. The outdoor unit is set on a pad, wall bracket or stand. The lines are connected, pressure-tested, evacuated with a vacuum pump and the refrigerant valves are opened. The electrician connects power, often requiring a new circuit and disconnect. The system is tested in heating and cooling modes.
Line sets are often covered with a decorative line-hide cover on the outside wall.
Line set length and placement
Each mini-split model has a maximum and sometimes a minimum line set length, as well as a maximum height difference between the indoor and outdoor units. Placing the outdoor unit far from the indoor heads adds labor and may require extra refrigerant. Placing it close keeps cost down.
Condensate drainage
Mini-splits remove moisture from the air, and the water must drain away. Most use gravity drainage through the line set. If gravity drainage is not possible, a small condensate pump is added, which costs more and can make some noise.
More on maintenance
Clean the indoor unit's filters every month or two during heavy use, keep the outdoor unit clear, and schedule professional cleaning of the indoor coil and blower periodically. Dirty mini-split heads can develop odors and lose efficiency.
Mini-splits in hot, humid climates
Mini-splits can be very efficient in hot climates, but sizing matters. An oversized unit cools the air quickly without removing enough humidity. Many units have a "dry" mode for humid days.
Planning the layout
Before quotes, decide which rooms need their own head and which can share. Ask where each head will mount and how the lines and drains will run.
Noise
Indoor heads are quiet. Place the outdoor unit away from bedroom windows. Check the outdoor unit's decibel rating if neighbors are close.
Sources
HVAC contractors in Texas
Our Texas business directory lists 1,058 HVAC contractors across 6 major cities. The ratings below are the average Google rating of the listed businesses in each city, and the review counts are the total number of Google reviews they have received.
| City | Businesses listed | Avg. Google rating | Total reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 464 | 4.7 | 72,003 |
| Dallas | 121 | 4.8 | 26,510 |
| San Antonio | 200 | 4.7 | 63,399 |
| Austin | 108 | 4.8 | 39,568 |
| Fort Worth | 99 | 4.7 | 25,658 |
| El Paso | 66 | 4.5 | 11,208 |
Source: twupro Texas business directory, built from public Google Maps listings.
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