About This Blog
I didn't set out to become the person people call when their HVAC contractor gives them a quote that makes their stomach drop.
But here we are.
A few years ago, I was finishing out a detached garage — turning it into a proper workshop where I could actually spend time without sweating through my shirt in July or losing feeling in my fingers come December. I got three quotes from local HVAC companies. The lowest one came in at just under $4,800. For one room. The contractor spent eleven minutes at my house before handing me that number.
I went home, opened my laptop, and started digging.
What I found — buried across Reddit threads, YouTube comment sections, and manufacturer installation manuals — was that installing a ductless mini split yourself was not only possible, it was something thousands of homeowners were doing every weekend. The equipment wasn't exotic. The process wasn't beyond a reasonably handy person. The savings were real. I installed a 12,000 BTU unit in that garage myself for just over $950, including all materials and the line set.
That experience changed how I think about home HVAC entirely.
Since then, I've helped neighbors, friends, and family members work through their own mini split projects — everything from single-zone bedroom installs to multi-zone systems for whole-house coverage. I've made mistakes, learned from them, and developed a pretty solid understanding of what works, what doesn't, and what the big-box store guides always seem to leave out.
This blog exists because the information I needed when I started was scattered, incomplete, or written by contractors who had an obvious financial interest in making the job sound harder than it is.
Everything you'll find here is written for real homeowners — people who are handy, willing to learn, and tired of paying contractor markups on work they can confidently handle themselves. I cover mini split installation from start to finish, brand comparisons and honest reviews, sizing guides, troubleshooting walkthroughs, permit and code basics, and the kind of practical advice that only comes from actually doing this stuff.
I'm not an HVAC contractor. I'm not trying to sell you a service. I'm just someone who went down this rabbit hole, saved a significant amount of money, and wants to help you do the same.
If you're staring at a contractor quote right now and wondering if there's another way — there probably is. Start here.
Have a question about your specific project? Use the Contact page and I'll do my best to help.