The Cost to Install a Ductless Mini‑Split Air Conditioner in Arizona

Updated April 2024

When Arizona homeowners come to us asking for a new ductless mini-split air conditioner, the first question they always ask us is, “How much does it cost to install?”

In Arizona, the cost to install a new ductless mini-split air conditioner ranges from $7,000 to $17,000, with the average being $10,000.

Your price will vary based mainly on these 4 factors:

Let’s explore those cost factors in more detail.

True to its name, the mini split is split into 2 main components: outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit.

However, unlike a central AC system, a mini-split system can have multiple indoor units. Each indoor unit creates its own "zone" of comfort, allowing you to cool individual rooms with separate remote controls.

Your main take away: The more indoor units you want, the higher the final cost.

“Size” refers to the mini-split cooling capacity, measured in tons or BTUs. The larger the mini-split, the more it costs.

Proper sizing is important because, according to Energy.gov,
“The (mini-split) installer must correctly size each indoor unit and determine the best location for its installation. Oversized or incorrectly located air handlers can result in short cycling, which wastes energy and does not provide proper temperature or humidity control. Too large a system is more expensive to buy and operate.”

So, a system that’s too small won’t provide enough cooling; too big, it wastes money.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to figure out what size you need. Contact an HVAC company that offers mini-split systems and they will find the correct size for you.

A mini-split system’s energy efficiency is measured by its SEER rating. The higher the SEER rating, the higher your monthly savings. But it also means a higher upfront cost.

Learn more about SEER.

Labor cost is hard to predict because it varies from company to company. HVAC companies typically charge in two different ways:

Hourly pricing
The installer will give you an “estimate” before doing any work. But you won’t know the actual price until they finish the installation, meaning that you may get a price far above the original estimate.

Flat-rate pricing
The installer will give you an actual price after they determine the system’s size, number of indoor units and your desired energy efficiency—but BEFORE they actually do any work. Meaning you can get the price upfront and then choose to get a price elsewhere, if you want.

This method prevents sticker shock, and, because of that, it’s our preferred method of pricing.

Finding a good company to install a mini-split system means asking the right questions. The ACCA offers a list of basic questions you should ask any contractor.