Cost Breakdown 2025: How Much Tony Really Paid for His 9,000 BTU MRCOO

0 comments

When I decided to add a mini split, I wasn’t just chasing comfort—I was chasing savings.

The MRCOOL Easy Pro 9,000 BTU mini split caught my attention because it’s one of the few systems truly designed for DIY installation. That meant I could skip the hefty labor bill and handle it myself in a single weekend.

So, how much did I really pay in 2025? Here’s the full breakdown: equipment, supplies, what I skipped by going DIY, and the long-term payback.

📦 Equipment Costs

The bulk of the budget goes toward the system itself.

MRCOOL Easy Pro 9k system → ~$1,050
Included in the box:
- Indoor wall-mounted head
- Outdoor condenser (pre-charged with refrigerant)
- Pre-charged line set (so no vacuum pump needed)
- Mounting bracket
- Remote control

👉 If you compare that to premium brands like Mitsubishi or Daikin, you’re often paying $1,800–$2,500 for just the system.

👉 Home Depot and Lowe’s show similar price ranges for ductless units in 2025.

🧰 Tools & Supplies

Even though the MRCOOL kit comes with most essentials, I needed a few extras:

Condenser pad (or wall bracket option): $100
Electrical supplies: breaker, disconnect box, wire, conduit → $150
Hole saw (3”) + expanding foam sealant → $50
Vibration pads & misc. hardware → $50

Some of these I already had (like the drill and level). But if you’re starting from scratch, expect to spend $300–$400 on supplies.

👉 According to HomeAdvisor , supplies and hardware typically add $200–$500 to a mini split installation.

👷 DIY vs. Professional Labor Costs

Here’s where the MRCOOL Easy Pro really shines.

If I Hired a Contractor:

Labor for a single-zone install: $1,200–$1,500 (varies by region).
Extra electrical work: $300–$500.
Total labor estimate: $1,500–$2,000.

By Going DIY:

Paid $0 in labor.
Only cost was time: about 8–10 hours across a weekend.

So right away, I saved at least $1,500 by doing it myself.

📊 Tony’s Real-World Total (2025)

Category	Cost
MRCOOL Easy Pro 9k	$1,050
Tools & supplies	$350
Total DIY Cost	$1,400
Typical Pro Install	$2,800–$3,500
DIY Savings	$1,400–$2,000

⚡ Long-Term Energy Bill Savings

The upfront savings are nice, but here’s where the Easy Pro keeps paying me back—monthly bills.

Cooling

Old window AC (10 SEER): ~900 kWh/year = $135 (at $0.15/kWh).
MRCOOL 9k (SEER2 ~19): ~475 kWh/year = $71.
Savings: $64/year.

Heating

Old space heaters: ~$150/year.
MRCOOL heat pump (HSPF2 9–10): ~$50/year.
Savings: $100/year.

Total Energy Savings

$164/year in energy savings.
Over 10 years = $1,640+ saved—and that’s just for my office and bedroom.

👉 EnergyStar Savings Calculator confirms these numbers for high-SEER systems.

🛠️ Time Investment: My Weekend Project

The project took me two days:

Saturday: Mounted indoor unit, drilled wall hole, set condenser.
Sunday: Electrical hookup, finishing sealant, and testing.

Total: ~10 hours.

👉 If I had gone multi-zone, it could’ve taken 2–3 days (and maybe a helper). For one room, the Easy Pro was a perfect weekend DIY.

🔊 Hidden Costs I Avoided

No refrigerant handling → MRCOOL uses pre-charged Quick Connect lines.
No vacuum pump rental (~$100/day).
No inspection delays (in my area, single-zone under 115V didn’t require extra permits).

👉 According to EPA Section 608, handling refrigerants normally requires certification—but MRCOOL’s pre-charged system avoids that entirely.

🧾 ROI: When It Pays for Itself

Upfront cost: ~$1,400.
Annual savings: ~$164.
Payback period: ~6 years.
Lifespan: 12–15 years with maintenance.

That means the system will pay for itself—and then deliver another 6–9 years of pure savings.

👉 This Old House notes that well-maintained mini splits can last 15–20 years, making the ROI even better.

🌍 Environmental Impact

By upgrading to a SEER2 19 mini split, I’m not just saving money—I’m cutting carbon emissions.

Savings: ~400 kWh/year.
According to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Calculator, that prevents ~280 lbs of CO₂ annually.
Over 10 years → 1.4 tons of CO₂ avoided.