Rooms that don’t have ductwork, including an addition, sunroom or garage, can be tricky to heat and cool. Lengthening ductwork from a present system can be pricey. And that extra square footage may just be too sizeable for your home comfort equipment to manage, as your equipment wasn’t sized with it in mind.
A mini-split is a wise option for these rooms since it doesn’t have to have ductwork. This combined heating and cooling system has two components: an outdoor condenser and an indoor wall-mounted evaporator. It’s frequently referred to as a mini-split heat pump since it transfers heating and cooling, instead of generating it. Because of this, mini-splits are extremely energy-efficient, with most earning ENERGY STAR® certification.
Picking the appropriate model for your house might appear like a large task, but our heating and cooling professionals at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. can provide support. We’ll begin with a no-pressure meeting to learn about your needs before offering you a free estimate. We’ll also discuss any special offers, rebates and financing you might qualify for.
Here’s about how much you can plan to spend when you’re installing a ductless mini-split.
Average Mini-Split Installation Cost
One of the most often installed sizes is a 12,000 BTU mini-split. This will heat and cool about 450–550 square feet, or roughly the size of a studio apartment.
With professional installation, the typical mini-split cost for this size is approximately $3,000, according to HomeAdvisor, who compiles average nationwide costs for common home improvement work.
Your exact mini-split installation cost will vary based on the type you go with and how energy efficient it is. According to HomeAdvisor, other extra costs might involve:
- Installing a concrete slab for the outdoor condenser, $75–$300.
- Installing a dedicated electrical circuit, $250.
- Upgrading the electrical panel, $1,200. This might be needed if you have an older residence.
Do Mini-Splits Qualify for a Tax Credit?
Getting an ENERGY STAR-certified ductless mini-split can qualify you for valuable tax credits. The mini-split tax credit is $300 for qualified systems installed at your residence through December 31, 2021. We recommend chatting with your tax professional for more info.
Energy companies in Lake Forest also typically have rebates for buying energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment. We’ll help you go through this process to ensure you receive the best value from your new mini-split unit.
Are Mini-Splits Worth the Cost?
Although purchasing a mini-split is usually more expensive than traditional heating and cooling systems, it’s an extremely efficient method to heat and cool troublesome rooms in your home. These include:
- Additions.
- Garages.
- Sunrooms.
- Rooms you don’t visit very often.
- Locations with hot and cold spots.
ENERGY STAR also recommends installing mini-splits in houses with atypical challenges, such as:
- Pricey electric heat from baseboards, wall heaters or radiators.
- Pricey central heat, either due to high fuel expenses or low efficiency.
- Older houses that don’t have ductwork as a result of radiator or baseboard heat.
In contrast with traditional electric heating and cooling, ENERGY STAR says a mini-split can save you up to 30% on cooling and up to 60% on heating. You’ll also enjoy more accurage control over temps from room to room, because of zoned mini-split technology.
Our Professionals Can Take Care of All Your Mini-Split Installation Needs
From helping you select the best model to expertly installing it, our pros at 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. can take care of all your mini-split installation needs. Reach us at 949-204-0859 today to learn how a mini-split system can make your house comfier and to receive your free estimate!