Garages, Florida rooms, converted attics, in-law suites, and detached studios all have the same problem: they were never connected to the main ductwork, and extending it is often more expensive and more disruptive than the space is worth. That is exactly the gap a ductless mini-split fills, and it is one of the most common installs we run across Broward County.
Here is real 2026 pricing, what actually drives the cost, and when a mini-split is the right call versus extending your existing system.
Single-Zone Pricing: $3,500 to $6,500 Installed
A single-zone system pairs one indoor wall-mounted (or ceiling-cassette, or floor-mounted) head with one dedicated outdoor condenser. This is the setup for a garage, a home office, a single bedroom addition, or a Florida room.
| Room Size | Capacity Needed | Typical Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 400 sq ft | 9,000–12,000 BTU | $3,500–$4,800 |
| 400–600 sq ft | 18,000 BTU | $4,500–$5,800 |
| 600–850 sq ft | 24,000 BTU | $5,200–$6,500 |
Multi-Zone Pricing: One Outdoor Unit, Several Rooms
A multi-zone system connects 2 to 5 indoor heads to a single larger outdoor condenser, letting you cool several separate rooms independently — useful for additions with multiple rooms, or homeowners who want zone-by-zone temperature control instead of one thermostat for the whole house.
- 2-zone system: $6,800–$10,000 installed
- 3-zone system: $8,500–$13,000 installed
- 4–5 zone system: $11,000–$18,000 installed
The economics favor multi-zone once you need three or more rooms conditioned — sharing one outdoor condenser and one electrical circuit is meaningfully cheaper than three separate single-zone systems.
What Actually Drives the Price Up or Down
Line Set Distance
The refrigerant line running between the indoor head and outdoor condenser is included up to a base distance (usually 25 feet) in most quotes. Every additional 10 feet, plus any wall penetrations through block/stucco versus drywall, adds labor. A garage conversion with the condenser right outside is cheap to run; a third-floor bonus room with the condenser at ground level costs more in line set and mounting.
Brand and Efficiency Tier
Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Fujitsu sit at the premium end with the best sound ratings and highest SEER2 efficiency (up to 33 SEER2 on flagship single-zone units). Mid-tier brands like Gree and Carrier's ductless line run 10–15% less for very similar real-world performance. We will walk you through the tradeoff based on your specific space.
Electrical Work
Most mini-splits need a dedicated 220V circuit. If your electrical panel has room and the run to the install location is short, this adds $300–$600. If the panel is full or the run is long, budget more — our electrical team handles this as part of the same job so you are not coordinating two separate contractors.
Mounting Complexity
A wall-mount head on an accessible interior wall is the cheapest configuration. Ceiling cassettes (flush-mounted, no visible unit hanging on the wall) run $500–$1,200 more per zone due to the ceiling framing work involved, but are the preferred option for finished living spaces where aesthetics matter.
Not sure whether your space needs 9,000 or 18,000 BTU? Undersizing is the most common mistake we see from other installers — we run a proper load calculation on every quote, free. Get a free estimate.
Ductless vs. Extending Your Central System
For a single added room, extending ductwork from your existing air handler typically costs $2,000–$5,000 in duct and register work alone — and it does not add cooling capacity, it just spreads your existing system's output across more square footage, which often means the rest of the house cools less effectively on the hottest days. A dedicated mini-split adds capacity instead of dividing it, and it comes with its own thermostat control for that one room.
The main scenario where extending ducts wins: if the new space is directly adjacent to existing ductwork and your current system has meaningful spare capacity. We will tell you honestly which option makes sense during the estimate — we are not going to sell you a mini-split if a simple duct extension solves it for less.
Installation Timeline
A single-zone install is typically a one-day job, start to finish. Multi-zone systems with 3+ heads usually take 1.5 to 2 days depending on line set routing and electrical work. World Air HVAC installs ductless systems from Carrier, Mitsubishi, and Daikin across Tamarac, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, Miramar, and Deerfield Beach.
Ready to Price Out a Ductless Mini-Split?
Free in-home estimate with real BTU sizing, no pressure.
