Cost of Installing Split Ductless AC
I have receieved a couple quotes in the $19K to $23K range for installing a split ductless system with 6 indoor and 2 outdoor units. There is nothing tricky about the installation (walls are open for running lines, outdoor units to be installed in garden directly in back, electric to outoor unit not included) and…
I have receieved a couple quotes in the $19K to $23K range for installing a split ductless system with 6 indoor and 2 outdoor units. There is nothing tricky about the installation (walls are open for running lines, outdoor units to be installed in garden directly in back, electric to outoor unit not included) and I have priced the units online for $6K to $9K including all accessory items. So it looks like the cost of installation is north of $12K. I know this is something you want done by a pro and that there is a fair bit of work involved but this still seems ridiculously high. Does anyone have some input on whether the prices quoted are reasonable? Better yet, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced installer? Thanks
Follow up: job is done and Dmitri from cooling control (tel 347 219 7570) did a great job.
Bruce…i do want to stick with the ductless. The outdoor units will be in the garden next to the house, indoor units on garden and parlor levels. Let me know if you think you can do it substantially cheaper that $19K (although sounds like not).
Otherwise will stick with one of the quotes i already have or try CoolCo.
Thanks all
The installation sounds a bit high to me. I have two Fujitsu split unit heads + outside unit and the total cost was around 5 grand. It wasn’t the easiest of installs because both heads are on opposites ends of the top floor and I wanted the pipes inside the walls. The job was completed in one day though (minus wall and ceiling repairs, which were on me).
I used CoolCo for the job five years ago and I’ve been happy with it and the response time on their maintenance. Dmitri: 347-219-7570.
CGmodern: Yup it will take more than a day. And two guys. And a bunch of equipment.
apb233: You aren’t saying how high the highest unit is from condenser in back yard, but brownstone installations consume multiple line sets, costing $150.00 a pop. We can’t use copper tubing without taking forever to insulate all runs, so we use multiple line sets.
We cover all those runs with plastic casing, which also isn’t cheap. and there is plenty of brazing or flaring to extend the lline sets, plenty of places that can leak.
We usually use a 4 and 1/2″ rotary hammer to cut the core holes thru masonry, which is often 14-16″ thick. And don’t forget that there is a condensate drain from each unit, and they have to go somewhere. And wiring separately from each air handler out to the condenser.
In a conventional HVAC, the mechanicals are in two places, and the plumbing and wiring only goes between those two locations. The cooled air is transported to all locations by duct, but there are many fewer pressurized lines.
You’re talking about a lot of line sets to be pressure checked, evacuated, and filled. Don’t forget that the condensers often come pre-charged for a few minimal runs, but we have to calculate how much longer your runs are in total and how much weight in additional refrigerant we need to supply.
So in sum, there is a lot to the job as you describe it.
Have you considered other options such as Unico high velocity? You’d lose some of the separate room control, but they are real efficient and the ducts are much smaller.
You can contact me off-line
bruce@jerseydata.net
jeez i was just gonna post a similar question. we’re just looking to install for a 700 sq ft space (1 outdoor unit 2 indoor units) and have been getting crazy high estimates.
i cant help but wonder what the deal is…everything’s gonna be opened up, the units cost about 3500 total, and it probably wouldnt take someone more than a day to do it…i’m getting estimates for 11-18 grand. wtf?
That’s right — walls are open but still not enough space for ductwork throughout. Also understand that there are other benefits to the split ducless — outdoor unit is quiter, can control individual rooms better, more efficient.
Guess that is the cost of doing it right. Still seems pretty expensive for amount of work. Installers are all pretty busy so looks like a good business to be in.
Sounds about right on the price. I installed the Mitsubishi City Multi with 5 zones and 1 outdoor unit. Total cost was 20K – 21K which included electrical and support beams for the condenser unit on the roof. I specify these units occasionally for work and Mitsubishi gave me a contractor’s price which I doubt will be available to you. So your range sounds right. Remember Its not just the cost of the units and controllers. There’s a lot of copper tubing, insulation, valves, electrical cable, etc. You must be a certified installer (Mitsubishi, Daikin, whatever) for them to sell it to you. This training and specialized proprietary diagnostic equipment and software costs money.
I used Best Air conditioning out of Queens. Talk to Jimmy Wong 1-917-742-2596 bestair8@aol.com
Just because the walls/ceilings are open doesn’t mean there’s actually room in the stud and joist bays to run ducts without creating new soffits. Some old houses were just built without ducts in mind. 🙂
If walls are open as part of a large reno then doesn’t that take away an advantage of a ductless split system (which makes sense when it’s a big expense & inconvenience to run ducts) and wouldn’t it make sense to consider central ac with ducts?