Mini Split Installation Cost Calculator
3,867 ductless mini-split projects on Seattle permits state a median cost of $9,000; half state $4,800 to $14,300.
$9,000typical cost
Typical range: $4,800 – $14,300
3,867 projects on Seattle permits, October 2024 to October 2026.
Is your mini split quote high or low?
| Cost of the project | Share of projects |
|---|---|
| $2,500 or less | 9% |
| $3,000 or less | 19% |
| $5,000 or less | 30% |
| $7,500 or less | 41% |
| $10,000 or less | 62% |
| $12,000 or less | 69% |
| $15,000 or less | 80% |
| $20,000 or less | 91% |
| $25,000 or less | 96% |
The permits do not record the brand, the size in tons or the efficiency rating, so a higher quote is not necessarily too high.
Mini split installation cost by number of indoor units
1,553 of the 3,867 permit descriptions name the number of indoor units.
| Indoor units | Median | Middle half | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 indoor unit | $7,000 | $5,000–$9,000 | 364 |
| 2 indoor units | $10,100 | $5,200–$14,000 | 383 |
| 3 indoor units | $13,100 | $7,500–$17,400 | 324 |
| 4 indoor units | $12,000 | $4,000–$18,400 | 318 |
| 5 to 8 indoor units | $13,000 | $3,000–$21,000 | 164 |
Mini split cost next to other heating and cooling projects in Seattle
| Equipment named on the permit | Median | Middle half | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pump | $9,000 | $4,800–$14,300 | 3,867 |
| Heat pump (not described as ductless) | $9,000 | $6,000–$15,000 | 3,120 |
| Air conditioner (no heat pump or furnace named) | $9,000 | $6,500–$11,000 | 371 |
| Furnace (no other unit named) | $6,500 | $5,500–$8,000 | 3,184 |
| Heat pump and furnace together | $14,000 | $9,500–$18,600 | 1,175 |
| Furnace and air conditioner together | $12,000 | $8,000–$16,800 | 237 |
Mini split installation cost by year
| Permit issued | Median | Middle half | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| October to December 2024 | $8,500 | $5,000–$12,300 | 347 |
| 2025 | $9,000 | $4,500–$14,000 | 1,932 |
| January to October 2026 | $9,000 | $5,000–$15,000 | 1,588 |
Federal estimate for one mini-split unit
Estimate by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for one unit of the size shown, not a cost from the permits.
| Type of unit and assumed size | Typical unit | High-efficiency unit |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split heat pump12,000 Btu per hour (1 ton) | $2,300 | $2,300 |
Where the two differ: estimate $2,300, Seattle projects with 1 indoor unit $5,000–$9,000. The estimate is for one unit; a permit covers a whole project.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Updated Buildings Sector Appliance and Equipment Costs and Efficiencies", Appendix A; 2022 dollars multiplied by 1.14 for 2026 prices. More about these estimates
Seattle permit costs against the survey
| Source | Median | Records |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle permits: heat pump, ductless or air conditioner, no furnaceOctober 2024 to October 2026, as stated | $9,000 | 7,358 |
| Survey: central air jobs, Seattle metro area2019, 2021 and 2023 surveys, 2026 prices | $11,100 | 116 |
Difference −18.9%. A place's permit records are used only while their median is within 25% of the survey's. More about these records
What counts as a mini split installation in these records
Counted:
- Furnace and refrigeration permits for one- and two-family homes whose description names a ductless or mini-split system and no furnace.
- One project per address and cost: one job often has more than one permit.
Not counted:
- 4,571 projects whose permits from the same day state different costs.
- 558 permits without a cost or an address.
- 446 projects in newly built homes.
- Descriptions that name a boiler, a fireplace or a water heater.
The cost is the estimated project cost written on the permit, not adjusted for price changes and rounded the same way as the other costs on this site. Groups with fewer than 30 projects are not shown.
Where these numbers come from
Permit records: City of Seattle, "Trade Permits". The City of Seattle makes no claims as to the completeness, accuracy, timeliness or content of this data; it is used at one's own risk. The city has not reviewed or endorsed this site. Federal estimate: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Survey figure: American Housing Survey (U.S. Census Bureau and HUD). The calculations are our own. Methodology · Data source