MrCool DIY and Advantage Air Handlers. Ask the Expert 370

Are the air handlers the same on the MrCool Advantage and DIY?

When it comes to those two systems, a lot of people have questions. What's the difference between the MrCool Advantage vs MrCool DIY? Aren't they basically the same thing? Aren't all MrCool products the same?

First, the simple answer is: no. MrCool products are not all the same. The Advantage and the DIY are not the same thing either. These are different systems intended for different needs. That might not be obvious to a typical consumer who doesn't pay attention to the intricacies of the HVAC industry.

Second, while both the Advantage and the DIY are reasonably efficient by current Department of Energy standards, the DIY is the clear winner here. The Advantage is, on average, an 18 SEER system. The DIY, on average, is 20 SEER. 2 SEER may not sound like much, but that can add up to significant savings over the long term.

The Advantage is a pro product not intended for diy installation. If you're planning to put in your own mini-split to save money and you get the Advantage, congratulations, your warranty is gone. You saved $500. Hopefully your unit lasts. Hopefully you didn't do anything wrong with the installation.

Should you buy the Advantage with the intention of hiring an HVAC guy to install it to keep that warranty, you're probably not saving much overall. Most HVAC professionals are going to charge at least $500 in labor (or more depending on where you live) to install any kind of HVAC system. Getting the Advantage with its cheaper price tag for a pro to install is usually more expensive than just getting a DIY.

Conclusion

To conclude, we argue the DIY is actually the superior choice when it comes to price. You can spend $500 more on the DIY, install it yourself, and receive years of solid warranty protection. And you will have a more energy efficient unit and can qualify for rebates. The best part, you don't have to pay an HVAC contractor to install it.

Thanks, Dan!