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Largely because we have an HVAC cartel that charges insane hourly rates for even the simplest jobs. To be fair, a Mitsubishi mini split is going to run closer t

Largely because we have an HVAC cartel that charges insane hourly rates for even the simplest jobs. To be fair, a Mitsubishi mini split is going to run closer to $1200-$2000 for the unit itself, but you can expect to pay $2000+ to install on top of that, depending on how hard the job is. I suppose it's hard to complain too much. HVAC installers need to have some decent technical background, troubleshooting skills, and their bodies tend to get injured/broken by the time they're in their late 40s like most manual labor trades. A HVAC installer/tech can make $80K or more a year, which makes it one of the few jobs still out there where you can make a decent middle class income without tons of schooling.

balfirevic 6y ago
That's interesting, I see some lower-end Mitsubishi models for $600 here.
masklinn 6y ago
> you can expect to pay $2000+ to install on top of that, depending on how hard the job is. Installing a mini split is nowhere the difficulty of an HVAC though, assuming your have the electrical circuit (which I'd guess would be an electrician's job not HVAC) it's a few hours' work, at least for a simple case and if the installer knows what they're doing: pierce the wall, mount the external unit, mount the internal unit, connect the two, charge[0], done. By "simple" I mean a 1:1 setup with both units mounted on the same wall (and a wall-mounted indoor unit). Obviously a more complicated setup (multi-zone, slim duct, more distance between the two units) would take more time and be more expensive. I can see $2000 for a non-trivial multi-zone setup. [0] if you're handy there are mini-splits sold specifically for DIY installations which come pre-charged, though that means the pipes won't exactly fit the distance I guess
- briHass 6y ago
  It's essentially the same (unless you use one of the DIY kits with pre-charged lines) as a full sized split system (traditional AC unit.) You (should) pressure test your lines and vacuum them out before releasing the charge. You also have to get a create a really good flare connection. In addition, running the electrical is usually done by the HVAC company and setting up the mounting pad for the outdoor unit. I completely agree that it isn't rocket science, and it's well within the realm of a skilled DIYer with about $250 in specialized tools. However, I can see why an HVAC company charges as much as they do. For an average install (not dead simple), it's probably 5-6 hours of labor, they have to pay for the company equipment, vehicles, health insurance, permits (my township requires one for a mini), taxes, etc.

balfirevic 6y ago

That's interesting, I see some lower-end Mitsubishi models for $600 here.

masklinn 6y ago

> you can expect to pay $2000+ to install on top of that, depending on how hard the job is. Installing a mini split is nowhere the difficulty of an HVAC though, assuming your have the electrical circuit (which I'd guess would be an electrician's job not HVAC) it's a few hours' work, at least for a simple case and if the installer knows what they're doing: pierce the wall, mount the external unit, mount the internal unit, connect the two, charge[0], done. By "simple" I mean a 1:1 setup with both units mounted on the same wall (and a wall-mounted indoor unit). Obviously a more complicated setup (multi-zone, slim duct, more distance between the two units) would take more time and be more expensive. I can see $2000 for a non-trivial multi-zone setup. [0] if you're handy there are mini-splits sold specifically for DIY installations which come pre-charged, though that means the pipes won't exactly fit the distance I guess

briHass 6y ago
It's essentially the same (unless you use one of the DIY kits with pre-charged lines) as a full sized split system (traditional AC unit.) You (should) pressure test your lines and vacuum them out before releasing the charge. You also have to get a create a really good flare connection. In addition, running the electrical is usually done by the HVAC company and setting up the mounting pad for the outdoor unit. I completely agree that it isn't rocket science, and it's well within the realm of a skilled DIYer with about $250 in specialized tools. However, I can see why an HVAC company charges as much as they do. For an average install (not dead simple), it's probably 5-6 hours of labor, they have to pay for the company equipment, vehicles, health insurance, permits (my township requires one for a mini), taxes, etc.