TL;DR: Mini-splits are a great fit for additions, garages, shops, and rooms that never quite get comfortable. Franklin offers free in-home mini-split design and installation quotes across NWA — we'll size it right and walk you through every option.
Tips for saving money on your mini split installation
Although installing a mini split isn’t usually as expensive as a regular HVAC system, it is still a big investment. Here are a few ways to reduce the price tag:
1. Get all the utility rebates you can. Local utilities offer thousands of dollars in rebates for buying energy efficient systems. Because mini split systems are so efficient, they typically allow you to get the highest category of rebates. Check our list of all the AC rebates available in Northwest Arkansas, or try our rebate calculator.
2. Consider the DIY route. One of the nice things about mini splits is that they are much easier to DIY than regular split systems. The Mr. Cool brand can be bought online, comes precharged with refrigerant, and if you’re pretty handy, you should be able to install it yourself.
A little bit about mini split systems
Mini splits are a newer sight in the United States, but they have a long history in the rest of the world. If you’ve ever traveled to Asia or Europe, you’ve probably seen them all over the place as they are the dominant source of heating and cooling. Here are a few reasons why they are becoming more popular in the States:
- Higher energy efficiency. The main benefit of mini splits is that they are substantially more energy efficient than regular split systems (the U.S. Department of Energy pegs the number at 30% more efficient). All mini splits are heat pumps, which means they can both cool and heat a space, and they eliminate ductwork — which on average leaks 20-30% of conditioned air.
- Better temperature control. Mini splits use variable capacity compressors, allowing them to easily adapt to cooling and heating demands. The result is more constant temperatures and fewer peaks and valleys.
- Cleaner air. Mini splits are mounted directly on the wall so they eliminate the need for conditioned air to pass through dirty ductwork. You’ll also never have to pay for a duct cleaning service.
Benefits aside, mini splits do have some drawbacks. The big one for most people is the way they look. They can also leak water if not installed properly, and they tend to not last quite as long as a normal split system (10–12 years rather than 15–20 years).
How Franklin installs a mini-split
Install quality matters a lot on a mini-split — bad refrigerant work, sloppy condensate routing, or an undersized line set will cripple one inside a year. Every Franklin install runs through 30+ commissioning checks — refrigerant charge, line-set vacuum and pressure test, condensate slope and drain, electrical, mounting bracket torque, indoor head level, and more — before we leave. Shortly after the install, a second technician returns for a QA visit to verify the work and catch anything the install team might have missed. We pull the permit in advance, lay protective floor covering on day-of, haul away any old equipment, and coordinate the city inspection on your behalf.