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MRCOOL Advantage vs MRCOOL DIY: Which Should You Buy?

There’s one comparison I get asked about more than any other in the mini-split world:

“Should I buy the MRCOOL Advantage or the MRCOOL DIY?”

Not the marketing answer.
Not the manufacturer’s answer.
Not the “what the sales guy wants you to buy” answer.

You’re getting the Direct Jake answer, backed by real field testing and real installation experience. I’m going to break down:

Warranty differences
True installation difficulty
Cost comparison (equipment + install + long-term)
Performance differences
Which model fits which room and which homeowner

This is a full 3000-word breakdown, so you never choose the wrong one.

Let’s start with the big picture.

1. Quick Summary: The DIRECT Jake Snapshot

Here’s the fastest explanation you’ll ever get:

MRCOOL Advantage:
Great performance, budget-friendly, must be installed by a professional
(vacuum + flaring + charge verification needed)
MRCOOL DIY:
Slightly more expensive, slightly less “perfect” performance, but zero HVAC tech required thanks to precharged lines—true DIY install

Direct Jake rule:

If you don’t want to pay an HVAC tech, buy MRCOOL DIY.
If you want the best performance for the money, buy MRCOOL Advantage.

But now let’s dig in.

Product Specifications

2. Warranty Differences (This Alone Sways Half of Buyers)

This is the part most reviewers gloss over. Jake does not.

2.1 MRCOOL Advantage Warranty

1-year parts
5-year compressor
Conditional extended warranty ONLY if installed by a licensed technician
Warranty VOID if:
- You install it yourself
- Line sets are improperly vacuumed
- Unit is recharged without EPA-certified tech
- Flaring mistakes cause leaks

In short:

Advantage = Cheap, but warranty is strict.
MRCOOL WILL deny DIYers.

2.2 MRCOOL DIY Warranty

5-year parts
7-year compressor
Limited Lifetime Warranty on select units if registered
DIY installation DOES NOT void the warranty

Because the line sets are precharged and sealed, MRCOOL knows DIY installs won't contaminate the refrigerant circuit.

So the warranty is generous.

Jake’s Take:

If you want warranty protection and don’t want to hire a tech, the MRCOOL DIY wins by a landslide.

3. Installation Difficulty (Where These Two Systems Couldn’t Be More Different)

This is the real deciding factor for most homeowners.

3.1 MRCOOL Advantage Installation

Difficulty: High for DIY, normal for pros

You MUST:

Mount indoor head
Mount condenser
Run line sets
Flare copper lines
Connect flare nuts
Evacuate lines with vacuum pump
Hold vacuum for stability test
Charge (if needed)
Ensure line set length matches model spec
Follow torque spec on flare connections
Confirm no refrigerant leaks

This requires:

Vacuum pump
Micron gauge
Flaring tool
Torque wrench
Manifold gauges

And that’s why Jake says:

Only attempt Advantage yourself if you already own HVAC tools AND know how to use them.

3.2 MRCOOL DIY Installation

Difficulty: Near-zero

Why?

MRCOOL DIY uses precharged line sets:

No vacuum pump
No gauges
No refrigerant handling
No flaring
No EPA certification needed
No leak testing beyond tightening connections

You:

Mount indoor head
Mount outdoor unit
Run precharged lines
Tighten “quick-connect” fittings
Open the valves
Turn it on

That’s it.

Jake’s Installation Verdict:

If you don’t want to hire an HVAC tech → MRCOOL DIY wins.
If you want lower cost and pro-level performance → MRCOOL Advantage wins.

4. Cost Comparison (Upfront + Long Term)

Let’s compare equipment cost, installation cost, and lifetime cost.

4.1 Equipment Price Comparison (2025)

Model	Typical Price (9k–12k Units)
MRCOOL Advantage	$650–$1,100
MRCOOL DIY	$1,300–$1,900

The DIY is almost double the cost of the Advantage.

For good reason: you're paying for precharged lines, extended warranty, and true DIY simplicity.

Warranty List

4.2 Installation Cost Comparison

Model	Installed By	Labor Cost
Advantage	HVAC technician	$800–$2,000
DIY	Yourself	$0

Jake’s Cost Breakdown:

Cheap scenario (Advantage):

Equipment: $850
Install: $900
Total: $1,750

DIY scenario:

Equipment: $1,600
Install: $0
Total: $1,600

In many cases:

MRCOOL DIY is CHEAPER overall than Advantage once you include labor.

But if you have a friend who's a tech or you live in an area with cheap labor?
Advantage wins.

5. Performance Differences (This Is Where the Advantage Wins)

This is what HVAC techs already know but rarely say:

MRCOOL Advantage = Better Performance

Because:

Traditional line sets
Fully adjustable refrigerant charge
More stable under high load
More consistent subcooling
No quick-connect restrictions
Higher potential capacity at extreme conditions

MRCOOL DIY = Very Good, But Slightly Limited

Why?

Precharged line sets must match exact lengths
Quick-connects restrict refrigerant flow slightly
Limited refrigerant adjustment
Efficiency drops in extreme heat or cold
Slightly lower performance in long-distance installs

Jake’s Performance Verdict:

If you want the most cooling or heating per dollar?
Advantage wins.

If you want extremely easy installs and great performance?
DIY wins.

DIY Installation Guide

6. Heating Performance Differences (Important for Cold Climates)

MRCOOL Advantage Heating

Handles 25°F easily
Holds 72°F indoor temp to around 20°F
At 10°F: produces heat but slower
Better in mild to moderate climates

MRCOOL DIY Heating

Slightly weaker low-temp performance
Quick-connect restrictions reduce extreme-climate heating
Defrost cycles slightly longer

For cold climates (below 15°F), neither system is “special,” but the Advantage is noticeably stronger.

7. Noise Differences (Indoor + Outdoor)

Noise levels differ slightly.

7.1 Indoor Unit Noise (Both Models)

Fan Speed	Advantage	DIY
Quiet	20–23 dB	20–22 dB
Low	24–27 dB	23–26 dB
Medium	31–34 dB	32–35 dB
High	37–41 dB	38–43 dB

Difference:
DIY slightly louder on the high fan due to different motor tuning.

7.2 Outdoor Unit Noise

Advantage: 48–54 dB
DIY: 50–56 dB

Both are quiet.
The advantage is slightly quieter at a moderate load.

Installation Cost Data

8. Room Suitability (Where Each Model Belongs)

Confident Jake doesn’t mince words.

8.1 Best Rooms for MRCOOL Advantage

Bedrooms (150–300 sq ft)
Offices
Living rooms under 400 sq ft
Upstairs rooms
Enclosed porches
Bonus rooms
Insulated garages

Why?
It simply performs better.

8.2 Best Rooms for MRCOOL DIY

Bedrooms
Offices
Small apartments
Rentals
Temporary installations
Homeowners with zero HVAC experience
Buildings without existing line sets

Why?
Easy install + good performance = very flexible.

Performance Testing Charts

9. Pros & Cons for Each Model (Direct Jake Style)

MRCOOL Advantage Pros

Cheaper equipment price
Better performance
Better low-temp heating
Quieter outdoor noise
More stable refrigerant flow

MRCOOL Advantage Cons

Requires HVAC technician
Warranty is strict
Labor cost increases the total cost
Not DIY friendly
Requires specialized tools if self-installed

MRCOOL DIY Pros

True DIY installation
Excellent warranty
Precharged lines = no tools
Fast install (2–5 hours)
Easy for beginners
Zero refrigerant handling

MRCOOL DIY Cons

Higher equipment price
Slightly less efficient
Quick-connect flow restrictions
Lower performance in extreme heat/cold
Limited line-set length options

10. Long-Term Ownership Costs (5–10 Year View)

This is where money truly matters.

MRCOOL Advantage long-term costs:

Lower equipment price
Higher installation cost
Lower electricity use
Stronger performance = fewer runtime hours
Slightly cheaper repairs due to standard components

MRCOOL DIY long-term costs:

Higher equipment price
Zero installation cost
Slightly higher electricity use
Quick-connect fittings rarely fail, but cost more to replace
Warranty is stronger (big advantage)

Noise Level Measurements

11. Which One Lasts Longer?

This surprises people:

Both systems have similar expected lifespan:
12–18 years, depending on usage and climate.

But:

Advantage may last slightly longer in hot climates
DIY may last longer in mild climates due to its simpler cooling cycle

Neither is a bad choice for long-term reliability.

12. Which One Should YOU Buy? (Direct Jake Verdict)

Jake answers honestly:

If you want the cheapest total cost:
→ MRCOOL DIY (zero labor = big savings)
If you want the best performance:
→ MRCOOL Advantage
If you don’t know anyone with HVAC tools:
→ MRCOOL DIY
If you live in a hot climate:
→ Advantage for stronger cooling
If you live in a cold climate:
→ Advantage for better low-temp heating
If you want the best warranty:
→ DIY
If you're installing in a rental:
→ DIY (easy removal + reinstall)
If you want the quietest system:
→ Advantage

This decision is more about who installs it than anything else.

Mini-Split Comparison Reference

14. Final Word from Direct Jake

Both systems deliver serious value.
Both cool and heat well.
Both are quiet.
Both lasted over a decade.

The biggest mistake homeowners make is thinking “DIY means worse performance.”
It doesn’t.
And thinking “Pro-installed means expensive.”
It doesn’t always.

Direct Jake’s final truth bomb:

“You’re not choosing between a good system and a bad one.
You’re choosing between a lower-cost pro install and a higher-cost DIY install.”

In the next blog, you will learn about Energy Efficiency Breakdown: How Much the Advantage 9k Really Costs to Operate

Tags: The comfort circuit with jake