Installing a ductless heat pump isn’t for the faint of heart, though homeowners with decent DIY skills might be tempted to tackle it. One couple did exactly that, saving a staggering $7,000 by skipping the professionals. Bold move. Risky, but apparently worth it.
DIY HVAC installation: not for beginners, but the $7K savings might just be worth the sweat and swearing.
They started with proper preparation—something professionals don’t skip for good reason. Heat load calculations. Home evaluations. Checking insulation quality. Mapping zones. Not exactly weekend warrior stuff, but they powered through.
They methodically selected locations for indoor and outdoor units, considering airflow patterns, noise levels, and yes, even aesthetics. Nobody wants an ugly box ruining their living room vibe.
The indoor unit installation proved surprisingly straightforward. Mount a bracket to the wall. Drill a hole. Insert plastic sleeve. Bundle the lines. Hook the unit. Done. Well, not quite “done,” but the visible part looked professional enough to impress the neighbors.
The outdoor component required more muscle and precision. Concrete pad installation. Mounting brackets. Refrigerant line connections with flared fittings. They used soapy water to check for leaks before opening the refrigerant lines. They even managed the tubing bends without kinks—a common rookie mistake that can doom a system from the start.
The electrical work? That’s where they drew the line. Smart move. They hired a licensed electrician for the dedicated circuit and disconnect switch installation. Some risks aren’t worth taking, especially those involving potential house fires.
The final steps tested their patience. Pressure testing. Leak checking. Vacuum pumping to remove moisture and air. Standing vacuum decay test. Technical stuff that separates the amateurs from the pros.
They were surprised how effectively their system provided year-round comfort, extracting heat from outdoor air during winter and removing heat from inside during summer. But they prevailed. The system works. The savings are real. The bragging rights, substantial.
Would professionals have done it better? Probably. Faster? Definitely. With fewer colorful expletives and marital disagreements? Almost certainly. But $7,000 buys a lot of marriage counseling—and a pretty nice vacation to recover from the ordeal.
References
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/21016954/how-to-install-a-ductless-heat-pump
- https://www.crosswaymechanical.com/the-step-by-step-process-of-ductless-ac-installation-explained/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q0i6Wyd-W0
- https://www.instructables.com/Install-a-DIY-Mini-Split-Air-Conditioner-Heat-Pump/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQkth-AM5CE
- https://airtekshop.com/blogs/all/how-to-install-mini-split-on-interior-wall-step-by-step-guide
- https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-install-a-mini-split/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90c887a9dd
- https://cleantechnica.com/2025/11/20/diy-ing-our-ductless-heat-pump-install-was-hard-but-we-saved-7000/
