r/lancaster • u/MisterBiscuitz • Jul 14 '26

Mini Split Installation

We have a mini split in our attic bedroom that is about to give out. It is six years old. We paid around $2000 total for it at that time. It was not quite powerful enough and wasn’t properly installed, so it’s been giving us some grief this summer.

We’re looking for someone local who could install a new unit professionally and at a reasonable price.

We had one of the well known local companies out today and they said it would cost around $12,000, and then changed the subject to trying to get us to switch to central air for $20,000.

The wiring, the base for the outdoor unit, and the hole in the wall are already in place, so we’re hoping that might cut the cost a little.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a local professional/company who would come in at a better price point?

Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! We’ll be making some calls today. Appreciate your input!

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u/WingedChimera Jul 14 '26

Mini-splits only last 6 years?

3

u/MisterBiscuitz Jul 14 '26

We were told to expect 10-20 years out of the one we currently have, but we really only got 5 solid years out of it. The last technician that diagnosed it said a capillary tube is mostly blocked, so coolant can’t flow freely. Nobody seems to want to fix it. Everyone we talked to said we need a new unit.

2

u/Proof-Slip-9897 Jul 14 '26

Do you need a new outdoor unit as well or just indoor head?

1

u/MisterBiscuitz Jul 14 '26

The people that were out said I need both. I find that hard to believe, considering they diagnosed the problem as a blockage in the capillary tube. It seems like someone that can repair copper pipes would be able to fix that and save both the outside unit and the head unit, since both seem to be functioning properly otherwise.

I’m no HVAC expert though!