re: $15,000 for mini-split system?

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Daikin 3 Ton Variable speed 17.7 SEER Heat pump Condenser unit 2 new Daikin wall mounted ductless fan coils 2 ton downstairs and a 3/4 ton upstairs

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Though I can’t say if $15K is a fair price, I suspect it is for a name brand unit, installed by an authorized dealer carrying all the appropriate warranties - 3-ton unit that size with three separate heads, 2 downstairs and 1 upstairs, all operating off a single outside “condensing unit”, is likely not an easy, routine install.

I just paid $13.5K for a 4 ton conventional single stage system - 4 bids from 4 reputable small to mid-size companies each installing different brands (manufacturers) of equipment, and all 4 bids were within $1K of each other. A much less complicated install than I suspect you are dealing with. HVAC prices have dramatically increased in the past several years.

Though the mail order units like Mr. Cool or other brands have their place and uses, just be aware if you have mechanical issues with very unhappy rental tenants in the middle of summer who are you going to get to resolve the problem in a timely manner with non-labor warranty - many companies aren’t going to touch working on units they didn’t install or installed by other reputable HVAC companies. Mail order units are not going to have repair parts in stock at local supply house - then what? Also many companies have few, if any techs, highly trained and skilled to work on mini-splits - they are a separate beast all together compared to conventional systems.

You did say it was a small rental unit - 3-tons could very well be oversized and likely is, though honestly a smaller sized unit wouldn’t likely be much cheaper. I would consider looking at some alternative options though to cool this house though.