Mini-Split DIY vs Contractor

hurricanejake02

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2:59p, 5/22/25

AG

I know this has been addressed before, but I couldn't find the recent thread.

Looking to replace the 20 year old 240V window unit in the finished portion of my garage. It still works, but it's loud, ugly, and in the way of a new back porch project.

My usual a/c contractor won't touch a mini-split, and while I'm comfortable with the electricity, I don't have the time to go learn gauges and vacuum pumps and refrigerant right now.

The way I see it, my options are either:

Pay the premium for the Mr. Cool DIY system (220V 12kBTU) - $1500 at Costco
Hire an unknown contractor to install (or finish my install) a HD Memorial Day Sale unit - $600 and up + install.

Anyone have a recommendation or review?

Ryan the Temp

Joined: Oct 31, 2007

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3:54p, 5/22/25

AG

I have installed four Mr. Cool DIY units and am about to install my fifth. Unless you really just don't want to do it, the cost difference probably isn't that much in the long run after you hire someone to do it for you and pull a vacuum on the lines. The one major difference is that you'll end up with a lot of extra line with the DIY kit because the shortest DIY line set is 16'. Hiring someone to install a regular unit will allow the line set to be custom fit to the length you need.

ETA: You could possibly install the outside unit and head unit, then hire a mom & pop contractor to just do the line set. The install is exactly the same for the standard and DIY units except for the line set.

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Marvin_Zindler

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In reply to Ryan the Temp • 4:31p, 5/22/25

AG

Ryan the Temp said:
I have installed four Mr. Cool DIY units and am about to install my fifth. Unless you really just don't want to do it, the cost difference probably isn't that much in the long run after you hire someone to do it for you and pull a vacuum on the lines. The one major difference is that you'll end up with a lot of extra line with the DIY kit because the shortest DIY line set is 16'. Hiring someone to install a regular unit will allow the line set to be custom fit to the length you need.

ETA: You could possibly install the outside unit and head unit, then hire a mom & pop contractor to just do the line set. The install is exactly the same for the standard and DIY units except for the line set.

This is the most annoying part of the DIY units. I hate the look of all that extra lineset coiled up.

Ryan the Temp

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In reply to Marvin_Zindler • 4:37p, 5/22/25

AG

Marvin_Zindler said:
Ryan the Temp said:
I have installed four Mr. Cool DIY units and am about to install my fifth. Unless you really just don't want to do it, the cost difference probably isn't that much in the long run after you hire someone to do it for you and pull a vacuum on the lines. The one major difference is that you'll end up with a lot of extra line with the DIY kit because the shortest DIY line set is 16'. Hiring someone to install a regular unit will allow the line set to be custom fit to the length you need.

ETA: You could possibly install the outside unit and head unit, then hire a mom & pop contractor to just do the line set. The install is exactly the same for the standard and DIY units except for the line set.
This is the most annoying part of the DIY units. I hate the look of all that extra lineset coiled up.

Same here. I even called the manufacturer to ask if they could make me an 8' line set. I would guess 90% of applications don't need more than 8'-10'.

Captain Winky

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5:00p, 5/22/25

I have installed two MrCool DIY units, and it has been pretty easy. One was the normal unit, and the other was a ceiling cassette. The ceiling cassette was more difficult, but that was because the attic joists were not 16" on center, and I had to sister 2x4s to make it fit. I don't mess with electrical, so the only professional I paid was an electrician to run power and install the disconnect switch.

For the amount of money I was quoted to have a professional install a Daikin or other model was more expensive than just replacing the MrCool units 3-4 times.

Whitetail

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7:10a, 5/23/25

AG

(My experience that I've posted before)

I've installed 2:

1st one was a Mr cool 12k DIY. It started leaking after a year. I think I paid $1700. I've read if you don't do the fittings just right, it can leak. I couldn't figure out how to fix it and I found going the AC repairman route wasn't economical.

2nd one was a Senville 12k, not DIY. I installed everything (mounted everything, plus electrical) up until the coolant lineset. Paid an AC guy $400 cash to install the lines. Paid $750 for the system I bought off Amazon. The thing has been running solid for 10 months. *I built a wooden platform for the external unit to sit on and inside is where I hid the coiled line set.

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RoyVal

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10:58a, 5/25/25

AG

I've installed a DIY Mr. cool in my garage a couple of years ago. A little pain doing it alone, but not too bad. The thing works like a champ! A buddy fell in love with my garage, so we did his garage, and just finished installing a the big boy DIY for his dad's garage barn.

I bought mine from costco knowing if anything ever goes wrong...costco will always take care of it.

I can't recommend enough going the DIY Mr. Cool route.

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mts6175

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7:25p, 5/25/25

AG

There's videos on YouTube that will show you how to cut the lines to shorten them. You need a flare kit and a vacuum pump that you can get each for $50-100 on Amazon that work.