Updated: February 2025
In the Greater Boston area, a fully-installed, single-zone ductless mini-split starts at about $7,000. A multi-zone system consisting of two indoor evaporator units can run as low as $12,000, while a 5 to 6-zone system starts at about $32,000. From there, the cost can go up depending on a number of factors.
Buyer Beware
You may have found websites that offer rock-bottom prices for a new ductless mini split, including professional installation. Beware—chances are, you’ll be getting the cheapest, least efficient unit on the market. You should also be suspicious of contractors who charge too little for labor, since this often means they are unlicensed or inexperienced.
Instead, look for a qualified contractor like N.E.T.R., Inc. that provides a transparent pricing structure and delivers maximum value for your money.
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The Cost of Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems in Boston
How Much Does a Ductless Heating and Cooling System Cost?
12 Factors That Affect the Cost of Ductless HVAC Systems
The Growth of Ductless Technology in America
Ductless mini-split technology has been around for more than 50 years, but has only been available to New England homeowners for about thirty years. In Japan, ductless accounts for 90% of all HVAC systems sold, and more than 80% in Europe.
However, the lack of familiarity with ductless technology and spotty access to educational information about it has slowed the growth of ductless acceptance in the United States. That said, the efficiency of these systems has caused major utility companies, government agencies, and homeowners to start taking notice.
In Massachusetts, financial incentives offered by Mass Save have made it one of the fastest growing solutions for residential heating and air conditioning replacements.
The Cost of Ductless vs. Other Heating and Cooling Methods
At first glance, the cost of ductless heating and air conditioning can seem steep. However, the benefits in energy efficiency will save you a lot in the long run.
For example, typical forced air systems experience duct losses equivalent to about 20% of the system’s energy consumption. Often it’s over 30%. But since a mini-split has no ducts, you don’t waste energy through leaky ductwork.
Plus, a multi-zone configuration comes with an additional energy saving benefit. You can control the temperature independently in every room where an air handler is installed, so if you’re not using a room, you won’t have to keep it heated and cooled along with the rest of the house.
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The Cost of Ductless vs the Cost of Traditional HVAC
How Much Does an Air Conditioner Cost?
How Much Does an American Standard Air Conditioner Cost in Boston, MA?
Cost Savings to Switch from Oil, Gas, or Electric to a Heat Pump System
How the Cost of a Mini-Split is Calculated
The price of a ductless system is determined by four primary factors:
- The size of the unit
- The type of unit
- The number of areas (or zones) being conditioned
- The degree of difficulty of the installation
Unit Costs
A ductless system, on its most basic level, consists of at least one indoor air handler, at least one outdoor condenser, and line sets to connect everything.
Some New England homeowners need only one ductless unit, while other applications are better served by 3, 4 or 5 units. It all depends on the layout of the home and what works best for you.
We can run as many as five indoor units with a single outdoor condenser. We can also come back to add more indoor units at a later date if you later decide to expand.
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Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner Costs (Podcast)
Ductless Ceiling Cassette Costs (Podcasts)
10 Factors That Affect the Cost of a Mini-Split with a Ceiling Cassette
Labor and Installation Costs
Labor and installation costs for ductless systems can vary quite a bit depending on the complexity of the installation. In general, the more complex the setup, the more you can expect to pay. For instance, if the installation requires special modifications, like working around structural obstacles or running wiring through difficult-to-reach areas, your labor costs will likely be higher.
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How Much Does Ductless Mini-Split Installation Cost?
Mini-Split Installation Cost: A Guide for Homeowners
How Much Is the Labor Cost to Install a Three-Zone Mini Split?
Does DIY Mini-Split Installation Save Money?
What Factors Affect the Cost of Mini-Split Installation?
Is Professional Mini Split Installation Worth the Price?
Ongoing Costs of Ductless HVAC
Operating and maintaining a ductless system is usually cheaper compared to traditional HVAC systems. Since ductless systems use inverter technology, they can adjust their output to match demand and reduce energy waste.
Plus, maintenance is easy and generally only requires annual servicing to clean filters, check refrigerant levels, and ensure proper airflow. While some systems may need occasional repairs, the absence of a fuel source and lack of ductwork reduces the likelihood of expensive issues.
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Understanding the Operational and Maintenance Costs of Ductless HVAC
How to Stretch the Cost of Your Heat Pump in Winter
Interested in Ductless? Call N.E.T.R., Inc.
If you’re interested in ductless for your home or business, call N.E.T.R., Inc. at 781-933-6387, or click the button below to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Rachael Pierce says:
Can it be used on a third floor walk up?
Steve Wu says:
How much will be the cost to install A multi-zone system consisting of four indoor evaporator units?
Thanks
Thomas P Samaras says:
I am looking for an estimate and how much Square feet does one unit cool or heat.
Gege says:
I’m looking for single unit for 3 bedrooms on leaving home
Luciana White says:
Hello I am interested in a free estimate to add two mini-splits in our house for additional cooling . We have a HVAC that serves as central air cooling. We live in JP IN a 3 floor victorian condo in a house with 3 units third floor needs more cooling and first floor dies not have A/C.
Clark says:
Do you service the Cape area?
Peter Devlin says:
Do you do mini-split system installs in New Hampshire, specifically Deerfield?
We are looking at a single-unit to heat a 16′ by 28′ kitchen/dining area.
David Calandrella says:
I have a 100 year old home—3 floors if you consider basement. I would be curious to learn what a system would cost for my house.
Sheila says:
I, and many others, would love to know the prices of these heat and cooling systems. Please tell me where to go to see them with price tags.
N.E.T.R. says:
Hello Sheila,
As the post states above, there are many factors that go into ductless systems pricing. Because of this, we cannot put actual price tags on the systems, only general estimates. If you would like a quote and consultation, you can call us at 781-933-6387 or send a form through our contact page. I hope this helps!
-N.E.T.R
Joseph St. Jean says:
Yes, I am very much interested in having this system installed into my home,
I’m looking around September, as I am having a lot of work being done over the next 4 months with my house, pool area and a new pool house being built as I want those projects completed before I get involved with another project. Can you put me on a list and reach out to me again around the end of July as a reminder to me and we can at that point set up an appointment to see what my home would take for a system to be more efficient.
Thank you for reaching out to me as I was very impressed w/ what I saw at the home show in Foxboro mass.
Thank you respectfully
Joseph St. Jean
N.E.T.R. says:
Hello Joseph,
Thank you so much for your interest in our services. As this is our blog, it’d be best to get in touch with one of our sales reps to schedule a consultation and future service call. Could you give us a call at 781-933-6387 or send us a form on our contact page? We’ll be happy to assist you from there. Thank you again!
-N.E.T.R.
Jim Atkins says:
Would like an estimate for a mini split with extra heating capacity to 17 degrees for a 3 season converted to a 4 season room fully insulated. Here in Carver,Mass The compressor needs to be 5 feet from an oil tank putting the compressor about 20ft feet from the handler.
N.E.T.R. says:
Hello Jim,
Thank you for your interest in our services! If you’d like an estimate on your home, we ask you to call our service team at 781-933-6387 or send a message through our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!
-N.E.T.R.
Ed Sullivan says:
Does the Hyper Heating H21 ductless system control humidity both on dry and wet seasons?
Does it have a central air filter.
What are the features of the filter system?
Would appreciate your reply
Ed
N.E.T.R. says:
Hello Ed,
The Mitsubishi HyperHeat model has the same controls as the standard Mitsubishi ductless heat pumps. The only difference is the temperature at which it can efficiently heat a home. The standard can go down to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and the HyperHeat can go down to -5 degrees Fahrenheit.
It does have a Dry mode to prevent the unit from getting waterlogged in the AC in the summer and to reduce humidity in the room. However, it cannot humidify a room.
While there is no central air filter as ductless is not a central air system, there are dust and allergen filters in each ductless unit, called a mini-split cassette. You can check out our Products page to see these units in better details.
allan waldman says:
we need a 2 unit system for our 2000 sg ft. ranch. We have a simple installation for the systems
N.E.T.R. says:
Hello Allan,
If you’re in the Greater Boston area and looking to install a Mitsubishi mini-split system, you can give us a call to set up a free consultation at 781-933-6387. If you’re outside of Eastern Mass, we recommend contacting your local Mitsubishi Diamond Elite dealer for a consultation on installation.