Cooling a Room Addition Without Touching Existing Ductwork
Updated September 2026
Adding a room to your home often means facing a difficult HVAC decision. Running new ductwork to the addition is expensive, invasive, and may overload your existing system. Most homeowners discover that their central AC cannot handle the extra load, and contractors quote thousands for a duct extension or a second system.
Mini Split Reef offers a straightforward alternative. We install ductless mini split heat pumps at a flat rate of $2,000 per unit, anywhere in our service area. No need to cut into walls or tie into your existing ductwork. Each mini split cools and heats independently, giving you zone control without the complexity of a central system. And because we price by the unit, not by the job, you know the cost before we arrive.
Why a Mini Split Works for a Room Addition
Ductless mini splits are the natural fit for a room addition. They require no ducts, so you avoid tearing into ceilings or floors to connect to the main system. The outdoor unit connects to an indoor wall mounted head via a small line set, which we run through an exterior wall or chase. The result is quiet, efficient cooling and heating for that single room. In Central Texas, where summers are brutal and winters are mild, the heat pump function handles both seasons without a separate furnace. You get 100% of the cooling capacity dedicated to the new space, with no loss through long duct runs.
Our Flat Rate: $2,000 Per Unit, No Surprises
We charge $2,000 per mini split installed, whether you need one unit or five. That price includes equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical connection, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and even a trip to Home Depot for touch up paint to match your wall. There are no trip fees, no hidden fees, and no surprise add ons. We state the only honest exceptions up front: a very long line set (over 50 feet), a panel upgrade that the house already needed but was not yet done, or an unusually difficult mounting situation. If you are a property manager, landlord, or owner of multiple units, we offer a volume discount off the $2,000 rate. Just ask when you call.
Service Area and What to Expect
Our service area covers Austin and the I-35 corridor from Waco and Killeen in the north down to San Antonio in the south. The flat rate applies across this entire corridor. We do not require an in home sales visit. You can get a firm price over the phone or by email. We schedule the install, show up, and complete the work in one day for most single unit installations. After the job, we test the system and clean up. Our focus is on making the process simple and transparent for homeowners who just want their new room comfortable.
How we compare
| Factor | Mini Split Reef | The usual |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat rate $2,000 per unit, quoted upfront without a site visit | Custom quote based on square footage, ductwork, and labor; requires in home estimate |
| Upfront cost | One price per zone, no hidden fees or trip charges | Often $3,000 to $6,000 per zone, plus potential extras for line set length, electrical work, or permits |
| Included services | Equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and touch up paint | May exclude electrical, paint, or cleanup; itemized with separate line items |
| Service area | Austin through the I-35 corridor to Waco, Killeen, and San Antonio, same flat rate | Many contractors limit service to a single city or charge extra for travel beyond a certain radius |
| Sales process | No in home visit needed; get a firm price by phone or email | Most quote based contractors require an in home sales visit, often with pressure to sign same day |
Straight answers
How much does it cost to add a mini split to a room addition?
Our flat rate is $2,000 per unit installed, regardless of the number of units. That includes everything except rare cases like a very long line set, a pre existing panel upgrade, or unusual mounting difficulty. Property managers and landlords receive a volume discount.
Are mini splits heat pumps? Do they work in winter?
Yes. Every mini split we install is a heat pump. It provides cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. For Central Texas winters, they handle the mild temperatures without needing a separate furnace.
What if my electrical panel cannot handle the new mini split?
If the panel upgrade is something the house already needed (for example, an old 60 amp panel that is undersized), that is not included in our flat rate. We will tell you before the install. If the panel is fine but just needs a new breaker, that is part of the standard electrical work we include.
Do you install outside the Austin area?
We serve the entire I-35 corridor from Waco and Killeen down to San Antonio. The flat $2,000 per unit price applies no matter where you are in that corridor. If you are outside that area, we can refer you to a local contractor.
Come up for air
No walkthrough, no sales pitch. Tell us the rooms and we tell you the price.
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