Mini splits in Cape Coral

Where mini splits make sense here

A mini split is an outdoor unit connected by a small refrigerant line set to one or more indoor heads mounted on a wall or ceiling. No ductwork. That is the point in a lot of Cape Coral houses.

• Lanai converted to a room. The main system was sized for the house without it, and running a duct out to it usually means a room that's warm and humid. A dedicated mini split solves both.
• Garage. A workshop or storage for things that don't like heat. Many Cape Coral air handlers already live in the garage; that doesn't mean the garage gets any cooling.
• Additions and in-law suites. Separate control, and you don't overload the existing system.
• A hot bedroom at the end of a long duct run, where fixing the duct isn't practical.

Most mini splits are heat pumps, so they also heat on the few cool mornings. Ask about one with a dry or dehumidify mode if the room is a converted lanai with a lot of glass.

What it costs

Fixr puts a mini split install at $4,577 to $8,328, with an average around $6,357. The spread comes from the number of indoor heads, capacity, the length of the line set, where the outdoor unit sits, and the electrical work.

Ask for an itemized quote: the capacity of the outdoor unit in Btu per hour or tons (a ton is 12,000 Btu per hour), the number and size of indoor heads, the SEER2 rating, line set length, the condensate drain route, the electrical work, the permits, and the warranty registration. Two quotes that differ by thousands often differ on one of those lines. See is this AC quote fair.

Sizing matters as much here as with a central system. An oversized head in a small room short cycles and leaves it clammy. Ask how the size was calculated. See humidity and musty smells.

Permits in Cape Coral

The City of Cape Coral's A/C Change Out guideline covers replacing AC units and duct work. Only a licensed HVAC contractor (CAC), a mechanical contractor (CMC) or an owner-builder can apply, and an HVAC Data Sheet is always required. The guideline also says a new mini split needs a separate electrical permit. Depending on the property, the permit may also need a Notice of Commencement, FEMA paperwork or an elevation certificate, and floodplain review. Inspections are an HVAC rough inspection where applicable and an HVAC final.

Two practical points. In a flood zone, where the outdoor unit sits and how high it's mounted can come up in floodplain review, so ask the company how they'll handle it. And for a converted lanai, the room itself may have permit questions of its own; that's a separate matter from the mini split.

A company that offers to skip the permit to save you money is offering you a problem at resale or with an insurance claim. Check the license number at MyFloridaLicense.com before signing. See how to verify a Florida AC license.

Things to ask before you buy

• Where will the condensate drain go? A mini split head makes water like any AC. Some need a small pump.
• Where will the line set run, and will it be covered on the outside wall?
• Is the outdoor unit going on a wall bracket or a pad, and is it out of the way of salt spray and sprinklers?
• How are the indoor filters cleaned? They need it often, and dirty heads are a common source of smell.
• If the contract is over $2,500, Florida law requires the construction lien notice in it. Get lien releases from anyone who sent you a Notice to Owner before you pay.