DIY vs. Pro Installation: What Mike Learned Setting Up His MRCOOL Adva

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👋 Introduction: The Homeowner’s Dilemma

I’m Mike, and like many homeowners, I’ve faced the classic HVAC question:
“Do I try to install this myself, or should I call in the pros?”

When I bought the MRCOOL Advantage 9,000 BTU mini split, I had two clear options: save money with a DIY installation or pay more for professional peace of mind. Being the kind of guy who enjoys tackling projects around the house (and who doesn’t mind saving a few bucks), I decided to give the DIY route a shot.

This article is my story—what I learned, where I struggled, and ultimately, whether I’d recommend DIY or pro installation for the MRCOOL Advantage series.

🧰 What DIY Installation Involves

The MRCOOL Advantage isn’t part of their fully “DIY” lineup (like the MRCOOL DIY Series with pre-charged lines), so installation requires a bit more technical know-how. Here’s what the process looked like for me.

What Comes in the Box

Indoor wall-mounted air handler
Outdoor condenser
Line set (for refrigerant)
Remote control and manuals
Wall bracket

Tools I Needed

Power drill with hole saw (to run the line set through the wall)
Level (for mounting the indoor unit properly)
Screwdrivers and socket set
Vacuum pump and manifold gauge (to remove air/moisture from the lines)
Electrical tools (wire stripper, voltage tester, conduit bender)
Torque wrench (for tightening flare nuts to the correct specs)

Skills Required

Basic carpentry (mounting brackets, drilling holes through walls)
Electrical wiring knowledge (240V circuits, breakers, and grounding)
HVAC-specific tasks (evacuating and sealing refrigerant lines)

👉 Bottom line: This is not a plug-and-play system. It requires comfort with tools and at least some technical know-how.

⏱️ Time Estimate for DIY

Planning & measuring: 2 hours
Indoor unit installation: 2 hours
Outdoor condenser placement: 1–2 hours
Running line set & connections: 2–3 hours
Vacuuming & leak check: 1–2 hours
Electrical hookup: 2 hours

For me, the entire project stretched into a weekend job.

Compare that to a professional installer, who could do it in half a day.

💵 The Cost Difference: DIY vs. Pro

DIY Cost Breakdown (my numbers):

MRCOOL Advantage 9k unit: $750
Tools I didn’t already own (vacuum pump, torque wrench): $200
Electrical supplies (wire, breaker, conduit): $75
Miscellaneous (sealant, brackets, drill bit): $50

Total DIY cost: ~$1,075

Pro Installation Estimate:

MRCOOL Advantage 9k unit: $750
Professional labor & materials: $1,200–$1,800 (based on local quotes)

Total Pro cost: $1,950–$2,550

👉 Savings with DIY: $800–$1,500
But remember: those savings come with more responsibility.

⚡ Safety and Code Compliance

Here’s where things get serious. Working with 240V electrical circuits and refrigerant lines isn’t something to take lightly.

Electrical Risks

Always turn off the breaker before starting.
Double-check voltage with a tester.
Follow NEC (National Electrical Code) guidelines for wiring and grounding.

Refrigerant Handling

Advantage line sets are not pre-charged.
You need to evacuate air and moisture with a vacuum pump.
A poor connection = leaks, wasted refrigerant, or damage to the compressor.

Building Codes & Permits

Some municipalities require a permit for mini split installs. Check before starting. If you skip this and have an issue later, it could void insurance claims.

👉 For me, the hardest part was ensuring compliance. It made me realize why pros charge what they do—it’s not just labor, it’s liability and expertise.

🔧 What Mike Learned Doing It Himself

Here’s the honest truth about what went smoothly and what didn’t:

✅ Easier Than Expected

Mounting the indoor unit: As long as you measure twice and use a level, it’s straightforward.
Placing the outdoor condenser: A concrete pad made setup easier.

⚠️ Harder Than Expected

Running the line set: Drilling a clean 3" hole through an exterior wall was nerve-racking.
Vacuuming the system: Without experience, it’s tricky to know if you’ve done it right.
Electrical work: Even with some DIY background, wiring into my breaker box was intimidating.

🎓 Lessons Learned

Preparation is everything—watching MRCOOL’s official install videos helped a lot.
Don’t rush the vacuuming/leak test step. That’s the heart of the system.
A helper makes the job smoother—especially for mounting heavy units.

👨🔧 When It Makes Sense to Hire a Pro

After doing it myself, here’s when I’d recommend calling in a pro instead:

Multi-zone systems: More complexity = more risk.
Tricky layouts: If the indoor unit isn’t near an exterior wall.
Electrical uncertainty: If you’ve never worked with 240V circuits, skip it.
Warranty coverage: Some warranties only hold up with pro installs.

📝 DIY vs. Pro: Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	DIY Installation	Pro Installation
Cost	~$1,000–$1,200	~$2,000–$2,500
Tools Needed	Drill, vacuum pump, torque wrench	Provided by installer
Time	1–2 full days	4–8 hours
Skill Level	Intermediate–Advanced DIY	None (installer does all)
Warranty	May be limited without pro install	Fully valid
Peace of Mind	Confidence if successful	Guaranteed performance

💡 Mike’s Final Takeaway

After going through it, here’s my honest advice:

If you’re handy, patient, and willing to learn, DIYing the MRCOOL Advantage is doable and rewarding.
If you value speed, convenience, and warranty coverage, hire a pro—it’ll cost more, but you’ll sleep better at night.

For me, the MRCOOL Advantage 9k was a manageable DIY project—but it taught me a lot about respecting HVAC professionals.

Would I do it again? For a small single-zone system, yes. For a whole-house install? I’d hire a pro.