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A ductless mini-split is a heat pump without ducts: an outdoor unit, one or more slim indoor heads, and a small line set through the wall. Each head has its own thermostat, so you heat or cool only the rooms you use. Smartchoice Air Conditioning, Heating & Electrical installs mini-splits across Orange County, from a single garage head to a four-room system, and handles the circuit and the permit on the same job.
Single zone from $3,950, permit included · 5-year labor warranty · Call (949) 229-6766 or book online.
Mini-Split Installation Cost in Orange County
Prices are “from” for a standard wall head, up to 25 ft of line set, the pad or wall bracket, condensate drain, vacuum and start-up, and the city permit. You get a flat price after the free in-home estimate; we never quote a final price online.
| System | Daikin or AC Pro | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Single zone, 9,000 BTU (bedroom, office) | from $3,750 | from $4,450 |
| Single zone, 12,000 BTU (large room, garage) | from $3,950 | from $4,750 |
| Single zone, 18,000 BTU (open living area, ADU) | from $4,750 | from $5,450 |
| Single zone, 24,000 BTU (large open space) | from $5,450 | from $6,250 |
| Multi-zone, 2 indoor heads | from $6,950 | from $8,350 |
| Multi-zone, 3 indoor heads | from $8,950 | from $11,050 |
| Multi-zone, 4 indoor heads | from $10,950 | from $13,750 |
| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Dedicated 240 V circuit (most homes need one) | from $650 |
| Sub-panel (when the main panel is full) | from $1,800, permit included |
| Line set beyond 25 ft | from $95 per 10 ft |
| Ceiling cassette or concealed duct head instead of a wall head | +$500 per zone |
| 200-amp panel upgrade (when the panel is too small) | $4,500–$5,000 |
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Mini-Split Brands We Install
We install Daikin, Mitsubishi and AC Pro ductless systems. Daikin and AC Pro are the best value for most homes; Mitsubishi costs more and is the choice when you want its controls and quiet indoor heads. Every new system carries our 5-year labor warranty plus the manufacturer’s parts warranty, which depends on the brand and model. We confirm the model at the estimate.
Where a Mini-Split Makes Sense
- Rooms the ducts don’t reach: an upstairs bedroom that stays hot, a sunroom, a converted garage.
- Additions and ADUs: heating and cooling without extending the ducts or adding a furnace.
- Homes without ducts: older cottages, beach homes and wall-furnace homes, where adding ducts means opening ceilings.
- Condos and co-ops: a small outdoor unit and no ductwork, often easier to get past an HOA. See condo and HOA installs.
- Replacing a wall furnace or window unit: one system for both seasons.
If the house already has good ducts, a central system or a ducted heat pump usually costs less per room. We tell you which one fits at the estimate.
Single Zone or Multi-Zone
- Single zone: one outdoor unit and one indoor head. The best value for one room or one open area.
- Multi-zone: one outdoor unit and two to four indoor heads, each with its own temperature. Good for three or four rooms; fewer outdoor units on the side yard.
- Several single zones: sometimes cheaper to run and simpler to repair than one large multi-zone. We compare both in the estimate.
Sizing, Placement and the Circuit
We size each head for the room it serves, based on square footage, windows, sun and insulation. An oversized head short-cycles: it turns on and off, wastes power and leaves the air damp. Indoor heads go high on an outside wall where the air reaches the room, with a short line set and a clean drain path. Outdoor units need clearance, a pad or wall bracket, and in some cities a spot outside the side-yard setback; we check that before the install.
Most mini-splits need their own 240 V circuit. Because we hold the C-10 electrical license, the circuit, the disconnect and a sub-panel if needed are part of the same job, under one permit. If the panel is too small, we tell you up front and give you the options, including a 200-amp panel upgrade.
What Happens on Installation Day
- Free estimate: we look at the rooms, the wall for each head, the outdoor spot and the panel. You get a flat price.
- Permit: we file with your city (in Irvine it’s usually issued online the same day).
- Installation: mounting, line set, drain and the electrical circuit. A single zone is usually done in one day; multi-zone can take two.
- Vacuum and start-up: we pull a deep vacuum on the line set, release the refrigerant, and test heating and cooling at every head.
- Walkthrough and inspection: we show you the remote and the filters, then meet the city inspector for the final sign-off.
Mini-Split Repair and Maintenance
We also repair and maintain mini-splits, whoever installed them. The $65 service call is credited to the repair, and you get a flat price before any work.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Service call (credited to the repair) | $65 |
| Condensate drain clearing (head leaking water) | from $149 |
| Capacitor | from $250 |
| Fan motor (indoor or outdoor) | from $389 |
| Control / inverter board | from $450 |
| Leak search | from $65, plus refrigerant per pound |
| Compressor | $1,800–$2,800 |
| Tune-up (25-point inspection with coil rinse) | $79 per system, +$39 per extra indoor head |
| Deep cleaning of an indoor head (coil and blower wheel) | from $295 per head, $225 each additional head |
Indoor heads collect dust and mold on the blower wheel, which you can smell when the unit starts. A tune-up keeps it running; a deep cleaning is the fix once the wheel is coated. See our AC tune-up and heat pump repair pages.
Incentives
Mini-splits are heat pumps, so some utility and state programs apply. Ask us about current SCE and TECH Clean California heat pump incentives during your estimate.
Mini-Split Installation Across Orange County
We install ductless mini-splits in Fullerton, Anaheim, Yorba Linda, Placentia, Orange, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach (including Leisure World), Long Beach and the rest of Orange County, from our Fullerton office.
Mini-Split FAQs
How much does a mini-split cost in Orange County?
With Daikin or AC Pro, a single zone starts at $3,750 for 9,000 BTU and $3,950 for 12,000 BTU, permit included; Mitsubishi starts at $4,450. Most homes also need a dedicated 240 V circuit, from $650. Multi-zone systems start at $6,950 for two heads. The estimate is free and the price is flat.
Do mini-splits heat as well as cool?
Yes. A mini-split is a heat pump, so the same heads heat in winter and cool in summer. In the Orange County climate it handles both seasons without a furnace.
What size mini-split do I need?
It depends on the room, not just the square footage: windows, sun, ceiling height and insulation all count. As a rough guide, 9,000 BTU covers a bedroom, 12,000 a large room or garage, and 18,000 an open living area. We size each head at the estimate.
Do I need a permit for a mini-split?
Yes. California cities require a mechanical permit, and an electrical permit for the new circuit. We file both and meet the inspector.
How long does installation take?
A single zone is usually done in one day. A multi-zone system, or one that needs a sub-panel, can take two.
Can a mini-split go in a condo?
Often, yes. The outdoor unit is small and there are no ducts. Your HOA may want to approve the outdoor location; we provide the specs and placement plan they ask for. See condo and HOA installs.
Which mini-split brands do you install?
Daikin, Mitsubishi and AC Pro. We repair and maintain all major brands.
Do you repair mini-splits you didn’t install?
Yes. We repair and maintain all major brands. The $65 service call is credited to the repair, and same-day service is available when you call by noon.
How often should a mini-split be cleaned?
Clean or rinse the filters every month or two when it runs a lot, and book a tune-up once a year. If the head smells musty or the blower wheel looks dark, it needs a deep cleaning.
Why Choose Smartchoice for Your Mini-Split?
Choose Smartchoice Air Conditioning, Heating & Electrical because:
Sized Room by Room
we size each head for the room it serves, so it doesn’t short-cycle or leave the air damp.
Circuit Included in the Plan
licensed electricians run the 240 V circuit or sub-panel on the same job.
Permit Handled
we file with your city and meet the inspector.
5-Year Labor Warranty
on every new installation, plus the manufacturer’s parts warranty.
What Our Customers Say
Real reviews from homeowners we’ve helped.
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- Same-day service when you call by noon
- Flat price before any work
- Licensed C-20 HVAC + C-10 Electrical
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