Rooms that don’t have ductwork, like an addition, sunroom or garage, can be tricky to heat and cool. Lengthening ductwork from an existing system could be costly. And that additional area might just be too large for your home comfort equipment to handle, since your equipment wasn’t sized with it in mind.

A mini-split is a great solution for these areas because it doesn’t need ductwork. This combined heating and cooling system has two pieces: an outdoor condenser and an indoor wall-mounted evaporator. It’s typically called a mini-split heat pump because it transfers heating and cooling, as opposed to creating it. Because of this, mini-splits are highly energy-efficient, with the majority reaching ENERGY STAR® certification.

Selecting the right model for your home may feel like a large task, but our heating and cooling pros at Bell Mechanical Services can offer assistance. We’ll get started with a no-obligation consultation to discuss your needs before providing you with a free estimate. We’ll also review any special offers, rebates and financing you might be eligible for.

Here’s about how much you can plan to be responsible for when you’re getting a ductless mini-split.

Estimated Cost for Mini-Split Installation

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 usual mini-split cost for this size is around $3,000, according to HomeAdvisor, who compiles average nationwide prices for typical home improvement work.

Your total mini-split installation cost will be different based on the model you go with and how energy efficient it is. Per HomeAdvisor, other additional costs may include:

  • 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 house.

Do Mini-Splits Qualify for a Tax Credit?

Getting an ENERGY STAR-certified ductless mini-split can give you access to 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 information.

Energy companies in McKinney and Frisco also typically have rebates for buying energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment. We’ll help you navigate this process to make sure you get the best value from your new mini-split unit.

Are Mini-Splits Worth the Cost?

Although getting a mini-split is usually costlier than more common heating and cooling systems, it’s a very efficient method to heat and cool difficult parts of your house. These involve:

  • Additions.
  • Garages.
  • Sunrooms.
  • Spaces you aren’t in very regularly.
  • Spaces with hot and cold spots.

ENERGY STAR also recommends having mini-splits in homes with atypical challenges, including:

  • Expensive electric heat from baseboards, wall heaters or radiators.
  • Expensive central heat, either as a result of high fuel expenses or low efficiency.
  • Older houses that don’t have ductwork because of radiator or baseboard heat.

When compared to regular 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 have precise control over settings from room to room, because of zoned mini-split technology.

Our Professionals Can Handle All Your Mini-Split Installation Needs

From helping you pick the right model to expertly installing it, our specialists at Bell Mechanical Services can take care of all your mini-split installation needs. Reach us at 888-863-0560 today to find out how a mini-split system can make your residence more comfortable and to receive your free estimate!