The average cost of a ductless mini split system is $6,400 for a single zone system and $9,600 to $24,000 for multi zone mini split systems from 2 to 8 zones. Steps to accurately estimating your ductless mini split cost are provided in this guide.
You’ll also find system prices for single zone, dual zone, tri zone – up to 8 zones. DIY and pro-installed systems and costs, price factors and guidance on choosing the right system for your needs are all on this page.
Ductless Mini Split HVAC System Cost
Ductless heat pumps give you two installation options, do-it-yourself and those that require installation by an HVAC technician certified in handling refrigerants. You’ve got a limited number of DIY options, mainly MrCool, the brand that innovated this niche, and Klimaire, the slightly more affordable brand.
Narrowing your Cost: As noted, details about cost factors below will help you accurately narrow the price range for what you’ll spend.
DIY Mini Split Heat Pump Equipment Cost
| DIY | Equipment Cost | BTU Range |
| 1 Zone / Single Zone | $1,400 – $3,400 | 9,000 – 36,000 |
| 2 Zones / Dual Zone | $2,800 – $5,900 | 18,000 – 48,000 |
| 3 Zones / Tri Zone | $3,600 – $6,800 | 27,000 – 48,000 |
| 4 Zones / Quad Zone | $4,800 – $7,400 | 36,000 – 48,000 |
| 5 Zones | $6,200 – $8,100 | 45,000 – 48,000 |
Professionally Installed Ductless Mini Split System Cost
| Professionally Installed | Installed Cost | BTU Range |
| 1 Zone / Single Zone | $3,500 – $14,000 | 6,000 – 48,000 |
| 2 Zones / Dual Zone | $5,300 – $15,700 | 18,000 – 54,000 |
| 3 Zones / Tri Zone | $6,800 – $18,300 | 24,000 – 60,000 |
| 4 Zones / Quad Zone | $8,900 – $20,400 | 32,000 – 60,000 |
| Five Zones | $10,400 – $22,000 | 42,000 – 60,000 |
| Six Zones | $12,200 – $23,300 | 48,000 – 60,000 |
| 7 Zones | $13,900 – $24,500 | 48,000 – 60,000 |
| 8 Zones | $15,500 – $25,600 | 56,000 – 60,000 |
Why are professionally installed prices so much higher?
Here are four reasons and the bottom line.
- Labor: Obviously, installed pricing includes professional labor cost to install, charge and test the system.
- Indoor unit options: DIY systems give you one indoor unit option – a wall mounted unit ($). These are the most affordable units. With systems requiring professional installation, your indoor unit options include floor/console ($$), ceiling-mounted ($$-$$$), ceiling cassettes ($$-$$$), ducted ($$$), concealed duct ($$$-$$$$) and air handler/fan coil for ducted homes ($$$-$$$$). See the Types of Indoor Units and Cost below to compare costs as you plan your ductless heat pump system.
- Efficiency: DIY mini split HVAC systems have SEER ratings between 16 and 22. The most efficient pro-installed systems have SEER ratings in the 30s up to the current high of 42 SEER. A significantly higher level of technology is required to achieve such high efficiency levels.
- Low-temperature heating: Some pro-installed mini split ductless HVAC systems can continue to provide 80% to 100% of their heating capacity in outdoor temperatures from 5 degrees Fahrenheit to -15 degrees F.
Bottom line: The equipment costs for pro-installed ductless heat pump systems range from about the same price as DIY systems to more than 250% higher. And this is why the cost ranges for professionally installed mini split heat pump systems are wider – it isn’t just adding on labor cost but taking into consideration the higher (potentially much higher) equipment costs.
Cost Factors
OK, this is where those wide mini split system prices start to get narrower. With each factor, there’s input on determining how it will affect the cost of a mini split system for your home or building.
DIY vs. Pro
Are you going to do it yourself? You’ll be limited to systems from 1 to 5 zones, but that’s still sufficient for most applications.
Buying tip: When pricing a DIY system online, make sure you factor in everything you’ll need. Often, the product page shows the outdoor unit, indoor unit, or units and a remote.
But you must add required accessories, and it can be a long and expensive list. If you’re replacing a mini split, some of the old equipment might be usable for the new.
Condensing unit accessories: Pad or bracket, disconnect box & switch and wiring harness or whip.
Indoor unit accessories: A refrigerant lineset for each. A branch box is required for systems with 3 or more zones.
Optional accessories for each indoor unit: Lineset cover and wall sleeve, a condensate pump, and a thermostat (remotes are typically standard).
Mini Split Heat Pump Accessories and their Costs
| Accessory | Cost Range |
| Pad or Bracket | $75 – $200 |
| Disconnect Box & Switch | $40 – $60 |
| Wiring Whip | $45 – $75 |
| Refrigerant Lineset | $190 – $500 |
| Branch Box | $275 – $750 |
| Lineset Cover | $50 – $125 |
| Wall Sleeve | $35 – $50 |
| Condensate Pump | $175 – $290 |
| Thermostat | $100 – $300 |
Single vs. Multi Zone
This is pretty simple. How many rooms do you want the system to serve? Rooms and open zones up to 1,500 square feet need only 1 large indoor unit. Larger rooms and zones often contain 2 indoor units placed at different ends of the zone to achieve more balanced heating and AC.
If the floor plan of the home or building is divided into rooms with doors, then a separate indoor unit should be installed in each room. When you know the number of zones, you can use the chart to find potential costs. But we need to continue to narrow your estimate with additional factors.
Multi zone mini split systems have higher installation costs than single zone systems because, of course, each indoor unit requires separate installation plus its own wiring, refrigerant lines and drain line.
Type of Indoor Unit and Cost
The third cost factor is the style of the indoor units you choose. You can select the indoor units to be the same or different type.
Mini Split Indoor Unit Type and Cost
| Indoor Unit | BTU Range | Cost |
| Wall | 6,000 – 24,000 | $275 – $1,400 |
| Floor / Multipositional | 9,000 – 24,000 | $490 – $1,700 |
| Concealed Duct | 9,000 – 36,000 | $500 – $2,700 |
| Ceiling Cassette | 9,000 – 24,000 | $550 – $1,850 |
| Air Handler | 24,000 – 48,000 | $1,400 – $2,500 |
Here’s a brief explanation of each type.
Wall / High Wall: These are the most common type and easiest to install. They are ideal for air conditioning, since cool air sinks, but are acceptable for heat too. Most DIY mini split heat pumps use only wall mounted indoor units. Only a few brands, like Mitsubishi, make a 6,000 BTU size. Most brands start at 9,000 BTU.
Floor Console / Multi-positional: These indoor units can be mounted low on a wall, on the floor or on the ceiling – where they are installed horizontally.
Ducted / Concealed Duct: Most of these are installed in the ceiling, hidden out of sight. They can also be concealed inside of existing ductwork in the wall. The ducted air handlers have 3 or 4 ducts, and ductwork can be run to several locations within the zone or even to separate rooms or zones that adjoin one another.
Ceiling Cassette: Most of the cassette is concealed in the ceiling, with the grill flush to the ceiling. They are also a good choice for air conditioning but are OK for heating too. Cassettes are placed in the ceiling in the center of the room, distributing air in all four directions.
Air Handler for homes with ductwork: These units work like a standard split system heat pump air handler. They include a refrigerant coil and a blower fan to draw air into the unit, heat or cool the air, and distribute it through the ductwork to the rooms and zones.
If you have ductwork but would prefer an efficient mini split heat pump to your old heat pump or AC/furnace combination, this is a great option. It saves you on equipment and installation cost for individual indoor units.
Efficiency
The least efficient mini split systems offer 16 SEER cooling efficiency and 9.0 HSPF heating efficiency. The most efficient systems are 42 SEER and 15 HSPF. More efficient = more expensive.
Most ductless mini split systems have a SEER rating between 16 and 22. Within any brand and series, the larger the unit, typically, the lower the efficiency – usually by 1 to 4 SEER.
How to Estimate Your Ductless Mini Split System Cost
Here are the steps to choosing a ductless mini split system.
Of course, you first need to decide where to place indoor units. Open areas can be served by one or two indoor units. Each room with a door needs its own indoor unit.
Step 1: Determine the BTUs needed for each room or zone.
Start by measuring the length x width of the space to get the square footage.
This chart shows how much capacity is needed for the space. See the notes below the chart for accurate sizing for each zone.
Indoor Unit Sizing
| Indoor Unit Size | Room Size in Sq. Ft. |
| 6,000 BTU | Up to 350 |
| 9,000 BTU | 300 – 500 |
| 12,000 BTU | 450 – 625 |
| 15,000 BTU | 600 – 950 |
| 18,000 BTU | 825 – 1,200 |
| 24,000 BTU | 1,000 – 1,600 |
| 30,000 BTU | 1,250 – 1,800 |
| 36,000 BTU | 1,600 – 2,600 |
Choose the larger size for:
Warm rooms: Go up one size for any room that is very sunny, is on an upper floor or is a kitchen.
Warm & cold climates: Room sizes overlap. In very warm (South/Southwest) and cold (Plains, North, Northeast), choose the larger size.
Older homes: Also consider going up a size if you have an older home that has not been improved, meaning the windows and doors might allow air to pass in and out, and the home might not have sufficient insulation in the attic/roof and walls.
Step 2: Add the BTUs needed for each room/zone to determine the capacity of the system you need or whether you might need two systems. For most brands and series, 48,000 or 60,000 BTU is the largest size outdoor units. DIY systems are a maximum of 36,000 or 48,000 BTU.
Step 3: Configure your System
Now that you know how many zones you have and the total BTUs required to heat and cool the space, you can design the system.
Know the +20% rule! For most multizone systems, the total capacity of the combined indoor units can exceed the BTU capacity of the outdoor unit by at least 20%. For some systems, it is as high as 35%.
So, if you choose a 36,000 BTU outdoor unit, the total BTUs of the indoor units can be 43,000 BTUs (36K x 120% = 43K) at a 20% increase.
For example, for a 4-zone system, you could choose three 9,000 BTU indoor units (27K total) plus a 15,000 BTU indoor unit for a total of 42,000 BTU. Two 12K + two 9K indoor units would also give you 42,000 BTUs.
Cold Climate Ductless Mini Split Systems
Is installing a mini split system in a home in an extremely cold climate a good idea? It depends on your goals.
In the last decade, mini split heat pump technology has improved to the point that they are a viable choice for climates with sub-freezing winter temperatures.
Most deliver 100% heating capacity down to around 5F, and some in colder temperatures than that. In our opinion, if you’re building a home or an addition in a cold region of the country, a mini split system is worth considering.
Costs:
- Equipment and installation cost is similar to a standard AC/gas furnace split system plus ductwork. However, if you don’t need air conditioning and only need heat, then a mini split system costs more than just a furnace. It is worth getting price estimates on both system types plus data on low-ambient temperature heating capacity of the mini split.
- Operating cost for a mini split is usually lower than operating cost for a standard split system. For the same amount of money, the mini split system will probably be more efficient.
There’s an overlap in efficiency between the two types. Standard split system SEER: 14 to 28. Mini split system SEER: 16 to 42.
FAQs
How much does a single zone mini split cost?
$1,400 to $3,400 for DIY mini splits and $3,500 – $14,000 for a professionally installed system.
How much does a dual zone mini split cost?
$2,800 to $5,900 for a DIY system and $5,300 to $15,700 for a mini split system installed by a pro.
How much is a multi-zone mini split?
$2,800 for a single zone DIY system up to $25,000 for a large multizone system and pro installation. Cost depends on the number of zones, equipment type, efficiency and quality.
Can I install my own mini split?
Yes. MrCool and Klimaire make DIY series mini splits that handy homeowners can successfully install.
Do DIY ductless mini splits have a warranty?
Yes, they do. MrCool, for example, backs the compressor for 7 years and all other parts for 5 years on its DIY models.
How are mini split systems controlled?
All indoor units come with a handheld remote. Most can also be controlled by integrating a wall thermostat, but that’s a significant extra cost.
Are there WiFi mini split systems?
Most systems can be controlled using WiFi and an app.
Are there smart home mini split systems?
Yes. Many systems work with Alexa, Apple, Google Assistant, and other smart home systems.
What size mini split do I need?
Sizes range from single-zone 6,000 BTU systems for up to 300 square feet to 60,000 BTU systems that serve up to about 3,000 square feet.
Consider about 20 BTUs per square foot for an average climate and up to 30 BTUs per square foot for a very hot climate.
How long does a mini split last?
16-20 years depending on initial quality, whether it is properly installed, how much it is used and how well it is maintained.
What are mini split warranties?
The average is 7-12 years on the compressor and 5-10 years on all other parts. A few have shorter warranties, and you might want to steer clear of cheap mini split brands.
What are the best mini split brands?
For DIY, MrCool is hard to beat, and Klimaire is quite good too.
For pro-installed systems, consider the quality of the installer as much as the quality of the brand.
Average brands: Pioneer, Senville, Blueridge, MrCool (non-DIY series), Klimaire (Non-DIY), Cooper & Hunter and Aux.
Premium brands: LG, Fujitsu, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Carrier & Bryant (made by Toshiba), Midea, Samsung, Bosch, Rheem/Ruud (made by Fujitsu), Gree and Lennox (made by Gree). Most premium brands also make affordable series of equipment best placed in the “Average” category.
Are there AC only mini split systems?
Yes, but they are the minority. Most are heat pumps delivering both heating and air conditioning.