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Same in Australia/East Asia generally. Had a mid range daiken 3kw unit installed upstairs last summer; $2500 AUD and ~5 man hours to install including roof acce

Same in Australia/East Asia generally. Had a mid range daiken 3kw unit installed upstairs last summer; $2500 AUD and ~5 man hours to install including roof access and exterior wall mounting. A bigger 7kw multi head unit would have been about $6-7k AUD but required awkward attic and wall access. Installed prices in the US are pretty silly. Theres a bourgeoning set of DIY units that come precharged. But even those are pricey compared to the rest of the world.

Tostino 2mo ago
Just FYI, there's no reason at all to buy the DIY kits over just a regular mini split. The difference is DIY kits come with the lines pre-vacuumed and with seals on the end of them. So when you finally connect everything, the lines don't need a vacuum drawn on them prior to allowing the refrigerant into them. A vacuum pump costs about $100. Just get a regular cheap mini split and vacuum the lines yourself, and save $1,000 or more.
- donavanm 2mo ago
  Yeah, vaguely aware that you could diy the entire setup with refrigerant etc. But its not relevant at local prices here in AU. One of the interesting things I noticed here is that manufacturers are providing exchangers and head units that can reuse existing pipes. Makes sense for retrofit/upgrades where running pipes through utility spaces and bulkheads is a significant labor cost.
  - Tostino 2mo ago
    Well it does absolutely affect the price if you are willing to do it yourself. You don't need to actually touch any refrigerants. They are all preloaded in all the mini splits for sale. You just need to get the air out of the lines so it doesn't mix with the refrigerant. If I were to have it installed, just about any "professional" will totally overcharge here in the US too.
    - magicalhippo 2mo ago
      Here in Norway you must use a certified installer. That said, it wasn't horribly expensive, unless you have some weird constraint. I paid $600 for installing the last minisplit, which included some electrical work and a slightly more expensive spring-dampened mount, as well as 25% VAT. And Norway ain't exactly know for cheap labor.
      - Tostino 2mo ago
        Interesting, what happens if you just don't, and do it yourself? However, if I could have them installed for $600, I wouldn't bother doing it myself. We have a little bit of a cartel behavior with AC installers at least in my area of the US. Even though the job has gotten much easier with mini splits being requested more, they're unwilling to give up the amount they were making per job with Central units.
        magicalhippo 2mo ago
        > Interesting, what happens if you just don't, and do it yourself? A fine I presume, if someone figures out. You'd have to get the unit second hand or similar, all stores are required to ensure you've ordered an installation from a certified company when they sell it AFAIK. Last ones I bought, a few years apart, had it all integrated in the web shops. Just selected installation company from a dropdown, fixed price for basic install.
        donavanm 2mo ago
        Same again here in AU. Pretty sure i paid about $800 for the labor of installation (inc in the $2500) on top of material. Im more than comfortable with construction/electrical/plumbing. But at that price I stay off the roof, off a ladder, dont have to muck with extending a 240v circuit, and save a solid day if my time. Worth the price.

Tostino 2mo ago

Just FYI, there's no reason at all to buy the DIY kits over just a regular mini split. The difference is DIY kits come with the lines pre-vacuumed and with seals on the end of them. So when you finally connect everything, the lines don't need a vacuum drawn on them prior to allowing the refrigerant into them. A vacuum pump costs about $100. Just get a regular cheap mini split and vacuum the lines yourself, and save $1,000 or more.

donavanm 2mo ago
Yeah, vaguely aware that you could diy the entire setup with refrigerant etc. But its not relevant at local prices here in AU. One of the interesting things I noticed here is that manufacturers are providing exchangers and head units that can reuse existing pipes. Makes sense for retrofit/upgrades where running pipes through utility spaces and bulkheads is a significant labor cost.
- Tostino 2mo ago
  Well it does absolutely affect the price if you are willing to do it yourself. You don't need to actually touch any refrigerants. They are all preloaded in all the mini splits for sale. You just need to get the air out of the lines so it doesn't mix with the refrigerant. If I were to have it installed, just about any "professional" will totally overcharge here in the US too.
  - magicalhippo 2mo ago
    Here in Norway you must use a certified installer. That said, it wasn't horribly expensive, unless you have some weird constraint. I paid $600 for installing the last minisplit, which included some electrical work and a slightly more expensive spring-dampened mount, as well as 25% VAT. And Norway ain't exactly know for cheap labor.
    - Tostino 2mo ago
      Interesting, what happens if you just don't, and do it yourself? However, if I could have them installed for $600, I wouldn't bother doing it myself. We have a little bit of a cartel behavior with AC installers at least in my area of the US. Even though the job has gotten much easier with mini splits being requested more, they're unwilling to give up the amount they were making per job with Central units.
      - magicalhippo 2mo ago
        > Interesting, what happens if you just don't, and do it yourself? A fine I presume, if someone figures out. You'd have to get the unit second hand or similar, all stores are required to ensure you've ordered an installation from a certified company when they sell it AFAIK. Last ones I bought, a few years apart, had it all integrated in the web shops. Just selected installation company from a dropdown, fixed price for basic install.
        donavanm 2mo ago
        Same again here in AU. Pretty sure i paid about $800 for the labor of installation (inc in the $2500) on top of material. Im more than comfortable with construction/electrical/plumbing. But at that price I stay off the roof, off a ladder, dont have to muck with extending a 240v circuit, and save a solid day if my time. Worth the price.