How Much Does It Cost to Install a Ductless Air Conditioner?

The cost to install a ductless air conditioner starts at about $10,000 but the price can vary depending on a few different factors.

Because the price can vary quite a bit, we recommend that you have a certified HVAC professional come to your home and assess your cooling needs before giving you a quote.

However, we can tell you that the cost to install a ductless air conditioner will depend on the following five factors:

To help you budget, we’ll take a closer look at each of the above factors and explore how they will impact the overall cost of installing a new ductless AC.

The more efficient the ductless AC system is, the more expensive it will be upfront. But it will also be cheaper to operate in the long run because you’ll pay lower monthly electricity bills.

Some ductless air conditioners (also called ductless mini-split air conditioners) may be more energy-efficient than others. You can measure the energy efficiency of a ductless air conditioner based on its SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating. The SEER rating is a measurement of the system’s cooling output divided by the total electrical energy it consumes.

Most ductless AC units range from 13 to 21 SEER. (The higher the SEER rating is, the more efficient the ductless system is.) However, if you’re unsure about whether a system with a high SEER rating is worth the price tag, you can consult with an experienced HVAC professional. They can help you determine which ductless AC system is right for you based on your home and budget.

The more indoor units you need, the more expensive your ductless air conditioner will be.

A ductless air conditioner consists of one outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit. This type of AC system allows you to maintain different climates in each room within your home by using a single indoor unit per room. You can customize your cooling preferences in each air-conditioned space via wall consoles, remote controls or with your smartphone.

The number of rooms you want to cool will determine how many indoor units you’ll need to purchase. Although one outdoor unit can be paired with up to eight indoor units, you’ll have to purchase each of the indoor units individually. If you have many rooms to cool, the price of your ductless AC system will be higher than if you just needed to cool one or two rooms in your home.

Premium ductless AC system brands will cost more than other brands, but they are also likely to be more reliable.

There are many different ductless air conditioner brands out there and some are more expensive than others. However, premium brands like Carrier, LG and Mitsubishi use high-quality parts. So, although they are more expensive than other brands, they are likely to last longer and have fewer issues over their lifespan.

Some examples of other ductless mini-split system brands you may want to consider include:

• Daikin
• Panasonic
• Fujitsu
• Amana
• Bosch
• Frigidaire

An experienced HVAC professional can also provide brand recommendations depending on your budget, home and cooling needs.

In addition to purchasing the AC system, you may also need to pay for any adjustments or enhancements the contractor has to make to your home to install the system.

For example, a contractor may need to remove your old HVAC equipment, which may come with a removal fee. Or, depending on the age of your home and the type of electric panel you have, you may need to have an electrician upgrade your electrical system or install a new panel.

Adjustments like these can sometimes tack on thousands of dollars to the price of your AC installation so it’s important to get an upfront written estimate for the entire project before you commit to anything.

More skilled and experienced contractors charge more for ductless AC installation.

When it comes to AC installation, you get what you pay for. High-quality contractors typically pay more for their installation services, but you also get the benefit of knowing they don’t cut corners and that the job will be done right the first time around. With those things in mind, it’s a good idea to invest in a high-quality contractor.

Here’s what you should look for as you begin shopping around for an HVAC professional to install your ductless air conditioner:

• Valid license and insurance
• Experience installing ductless air conditioners
• Written estimates for installation costs
• Positive reviews from Yelp, Google and Facebook

At Michael & Son, we provide free, no-obligation estimates for ductless AC installation. With thousands of 5-star reviews and 0% interest for 36 months on all HVAC installations, you can trust that you’re in good hands when you work with our friendly and experienced HVAC professionals.

Learn more about what you can expect when you hire us for ductless air conditioner installation.