Mini-split payback calculator
Compare an existing heating or cooling setup with a mini-split project cost and efficiency assumption to estimate savings and simple payback.
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24 of 977 systems
| Model | Capacity | Efficiency | Current price |
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Blueridge Blueridge XS6 Max Efficiency 6,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXS6A06WM0 / BXS6A06UC0) | 6,000 BTU/h | SEER2 35 / HSPF2 15.6 | $1,619 |
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Cooper & Hunter Cooper & Hunter Slim Duct 7,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CH-RS06-12MDT-MS / CH-RHP06F9-230VO) | 6,500 BTU/h | SEER2 21.4 / HSPF2 13.8 | not published |
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Senville Senville ELITE 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (SENE-09EL-IHH / SENE-09EL-OH) | 9,000 BTU/h | SEER2 33.3 / HSPF2 14.6 | $1,600 |
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Pioneer Pioneer Quantum Ultra 8-Way Ceiling Cassette 9,500 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CT009GLSILCFHG / YN009GLSI24RPG) | 9,500 BTU/h | SEER2 23 / HSPF2 10.5 | $1,443 |
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Daikin Daikin AURORA 12,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FTXV12AVJU9 / RXT12AVJU9) | 10,600 BTU/h | SEER2 20 / HSPF2 10.2 | $2,449 |
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GREE GREE Sapphire R32 12,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (SAP12HP230V1R32AH / SAP12HP230V1R32AO) | 12,000 BTU/h | SEER2 29.5 / HSPF2 10 | $3,114 |
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Fujitsu Fujitsu AIRSTAGE H-series Floor-Mounted Console 14,200 BTU R-32 208/230V (AGUH15KUAS / AOUH12KUBS1) | 14,200 BTU/h | SEER2 24 / HSPF2 10.9 | not published |
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Mitsubishi Electric Mitsubishi Electric M-Series FX Deluxe Hyper-Heat 15,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (MSZ-FX15NL / MUZ-FX15NLHZ) | 15,000 BTU/h | SEER2 25.9 / HSPF2 11 | not published |
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Panasonic Panasonic ClimaPure XZ Series 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (CS-XZ18AKUAW / CU-XZ18AKUAC) | 17,200 BTU/h | SEER2 22 / HSPF2 11.7 | not published |
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ACiQ ACiQ Multi-Zone Standard Series 2-Zone 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (ES-18Z-M3C) | 18,000 BTU/h | SEER2 25.1 / HSPF2 9.8 | $1,500 |
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Carrier Carrier Infinity 25 3-Zone 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (37MGHAQ18CA3) | 19,000 BTU/h | SEER2 25 / HSPF2 10.5 | not published |
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Della Della Optima Pro CloudAir Series Multi-Zone 3-Zone 20,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (048-TPH-MODU-1D3) | 20,000 BTU/h | SEER2 27 / HSPF2 10 | not published |
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LG LG Standard Efficiency R-32 24,000 BTU (230V) | 21,200 BTU/h | SEER2 18 / HSPF2 8.3 | $1,549 |
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Samsung Samsung Free Joint Multi Standard 3-Zone 24,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (AJ024DXJ3CG) | 22,000 BTU/h | SEER2 22.5 / HSPF2 9.5 | not published |
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Klimaire Klimaire KIWQ-KOIQ DIY 23,000 BTU R-454B 208-230V (KIWQ24H2-45T / KOIQ24H2-45T) | 23,000 BTU/h | SEER2 23 / HSPF2 9.5 | not published |
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Cosmo Cosmo Series 24,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (GWH24AWEXF-D6DN***/I / GWH24ATEXF-D6DNA1F/O) | 24,000 BTU/h | SEER2 19 / HSPF2 8.5 | $1,399 |
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Bosch Bosch Climate 5000 Gen 4 4-Zone 27,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V Regular (BMS500-AAM027-1CSXRD) | 27,000 BTU/h | SEER2 25 / HSPF2 9.5 | not published |
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TOSOT TOSOT Multi Ultra Heat 4-Zone 28,400 BTU R-32 208/230V (TMH30D32MO) | 28,400 BTU/h | SEER2 21 / HSPF2 10 | not published |
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Midea Midea Advantage Series Multi-Zone 5-Zone 30,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (D5CMRAH30EAK) | 30,000 BTU/h | SEER2 25 / HSPF2 10 | not published |
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Toshiba Carrier Toshiba Carrier 26 High Wall 32,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (RAV-HB361KRTP-UL / RAV-BP361AT2P-UL) | 32,000 BTU/h | SEER2 22.4 / HSPF2 11.3 | not published |
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GE Appliances GE Appliances Altitude Multi 4-Zone 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (4G36AD2BEA) | 35,000 BTU/h | SEER2 20 / HSPF2 10 | not published |
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Friedrich Friedrich Floating Air Pro X 4-Zone 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (FPHMR36A3D) | 36,000 BTU/h | SEER2 22 / HSPF2 10 | not published |
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Carrier Carrier Infinity 35 6,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MPHAQ06XA3 / 37MPRAQ06AA3) | 6,000 BTU/h | SEER2 35.1 / HSPF2 15.6 | not published |
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Cooper & Hunter Cooper & Hunter One-Way Ceiling Cassette 7,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CH-RSH06-12MCT1W / CH-RHP06F9-230VO) | 6,500 BTU/h | SEER2 22 / HSPF2 12 | not published |
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Is a mini-split worth it? Do the payback math
A mini-split almost always costs more up front than a window unit or electric heater - and often less than extending central air. Whether it is worth it comes down to payback: how many years of lower energy bills it takes for the efficient system to earn back its higher price. In a lot of homes that number is surprisingly short, because inverter heat pumps are so much cheaper to run than resistance heat, window units, or old central systems.
This calculator compares a mini-split against what you would otherwise use and estimates the break-even point, so 'it costs more' becomes a number you can actually judge.
What tips the payback in your favor
- High electricity prices you're replacing - swapping out baseboard or window units in a pricey market pays back fast
- Long heating season - a cold-climate heat pump beats electric resistance heat every hour it runs
- A high-efficiency model - a better SEER2/HSPF2 widens the yearly savings
- Rebates and tax credits - heat-pump incentives can knock years off the break-even
Frequently asked questions
- How long until a mini-split pays for itself?
- Commonly a few years to around a decade, depending on what it replaces and your energy rates. Replacing electric baseboard or window units in a high-rate area pays back fastest; replacing an already-efficient central system takes longer. The calculator above estimates your specific break-even.
- Are mini-splits worth the higher price?
- For most people who run them year-round, yes - the lower operating cost, zoned comfort, and (for heat pumps) cheap heating usually justify the premium over their 12-to-15-year life. The payback calculator turns that judgment into a number for your situation.
- Do rebates change the payback?
- Significantly. Federal and local heat-pump incentives can cut the effective purchase price, which shortens the break-even by years. Factor any rebate you qualify for into the up-front cost when you run the numbers.