When I first started looking into mini splits, I was convinced the installation would be too complicated for a regular guy like me. After all, HVAC is one of those things people usually hire professionals for. But when I discovered the MRCOOL DIY Easy Pro 9,000 BTU Mini Split, I realized it was designed exactly for people like me—homeowners who are comfortable with tools, want to save money, and don’t want to deal with refrigerant charging.
I’ll walk you through how I mounted my MRCOOL Easy Pro in one weekend—from unboxing to running cool air in my office. By the end, you’ll see how doable this really is.
📦 Step 1: Planning & Prep Work
Before I drilled a single hole, I made sure I was set up for success.
📝 Checklist of What I Needed
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MRCOOL Easy Pro kit: indoor unit, outdoor condenser, pre-charged line set, mounting plate, remote, user manual.
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Tools: power drill, hole saw (3"), level, tape measure, adjustable wrench, Phillips screwdriver, caulking gun, foam sealant.
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Electrical supplies: dedicated breaker, disconnect box, wire connectors, and grounding wire.
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Mounting support: concrete pad or wall bracket for the condenser.
👉 Pro tip: I laid everything out first and compared it to the manual. No surprises mid-install.
📍 Choosing the Right Location
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Indoor unit: I placed mine on a wall above my desk in the office, making sure there was 6–12 inches clearance above and around it.
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Outdoor unit: I picked a shaded spot on the side of my house, at least 12 inches from the wall for airflow, and away from dryer vents or debris.
Why this matters: Poor placement = poor performance. Energy.gov recommends keeping mini splits clear of obstructions for efficiency.
🛠️ Step 2: Mounting the Indoor Unit
This is where the project really kicked off.
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Bracket installation
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I leveled the mounting plate on the wall.
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Marked holes with a pencil.
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Used anchors + screws to secure it firmly into studs.
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Drilling the line set hole
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Using a 3" hole saw, I drilled through the wall at a slight downward angle (to help with condensate drainage).
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Fed through a sleeve to keep it clean and protected.
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Hanging the unit
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Lifted the indoor head onto the bracket.
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Fed the line set, drain hose, and communication cable through the hole.
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Snapped the unit securely into place.
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Tony’s tip: Double-check the slope on the drain hose. If it goes uphill, you’ll have leaks later.
🌬️ Step 3: Placing the Outdoor Condenser
The condenser is the heavy-duty part, so take your time here.
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Option 1: Ground Pad (what I used)
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I leveled a small concrete pad and set the condenser on rubber vibration pads.
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Option 2: Wall Bracket
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Great for tight yards or snowy regions.
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Make sure it’s anchored into masonry or studs.
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Then I:
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Aligned the pre-charged line set with the ports.
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Connected the flare fittings using a torque wrench.
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Checked caps and tightened carefully (finger tight, then wrench snug).
👉 ASHRAE standards recommend torque specs—don’t overtighten or you’ll damage the seal.
⚡ Step 4: Electrical Connections
Here’s the part where safety matters most.
Indoor to Outdoor Wiring
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The MRCOOL has a labeled terminal strip.
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Matched wires (1–2–3 + ground) between indoor and outdoor units.
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Used insulated connectors for safety.
Breaker & Power Supply
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My 9k BTU Easy Pro runs on 115V, 15–20A circuit.
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Installed a dedicated breaker at the panel.
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Added an outdoor disconnect box for code compliance.
👉 Always follow National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. If you’re not comfortable, hire an electrician for this step.
Resources:
🧪 Step 5: Testing the System
This was the fun part—seeing it come to life.
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Leak check
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MRCOOL’s line sets come pre-charged, so no vacuum pump needed.
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Opened the valves on the condenser slowly to release refrigerant.
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Power on
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Turned on breaker, powered up the remote.
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Set it to Cool Mode, 68°F.
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Within minutes: cold air blowing.
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Condensate drain check
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Looked outside to confirm water was dripping properly.
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🕒 Installation Timeline
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Saturday Morning → Mount indoor unit, drill wall hole.
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Saturday Afternoon → Place condenser, connect line set.
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Sunday Morning → Wire breaker, connect power.
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Sunday Afternoon → Test system, seal wall, clean up.
Total DIY time: ~10 hours split across 2 days.
💰 Cost Savings
Here’s my real-world budget:
Item | Cost |
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MRCOOL Easy Pro 9k | $1,050 |
Mounting pad + brackets | $100 |
Electrical supplies | $150 |
Sealant & misc. | $50 |
DIY Total | $1,350 |
Getting this professionally installed would’ve cost another $1,200–$1,500 in labor.
👉 DIY saved me nearly 50% overall.
🧰 Maintenance for Long-Term Performance
I didn’t stop after install—I wanted to keep it running smoothly:
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Clean filters monthly.
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Flush drain line twice a year.
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Rinse condenser coils with a hose annually.
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Inspect insulation on the line set.
For reference, This Old House recommends seasonal checks to extend lifespan to 15–20 years.
🚫 When DIY Might Not Work
Even though I did it myself, I’ll be the first to say DIY isn’t for everyone. Call a pro if:
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You’re not comfortable with electrical wiring.
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Your walls are tricky (stone, concrete, multiple layers).
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You’re installing more than 1–2 zones.
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Local code requires permits/inspection.
✅ Tony’s Final Verdict
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
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My office and bedroom are now perfectly comfortable.
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I learned new skills.
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I saved over a thousand dollars.
👉 If you’ve ever mounted a TV, run wiring, or handled basic home projects, you can handle a MRCOOL Easy Pro install in a weekend.
It’s one of the most homeowner-friendly HVAC systems on the market.
In the next topic we will know more about: Energy Efficiency Explained: SEER2 Ratings and Real-World Savings on a 9k Mini Split