Ductless Mini Splits for Apartments, Duplexes & Rentals in Austin
Updated September 2026
If you’re renting or own a small multi-family property in Central Texas, ductwork is probably off the table. Most apartments and duplexes weren’t built for it, and retrofitting ducts is messy, expensive, and rarely worth it. Ductless mini splits solve the problem: they cool and heat without tearing up walls or losing square footage to vents.
Mini splits are heat pumps, so they handle Austin’s 100-degree summers and mild winters without a furnace. They’re quieter than window units, more efficient than portable ACs, and, when installed right, disappear into the room. The catch? Most local HVAC contractors charge by the hour or zone, which means surprise bills and in-home sales visits. We don’t do that.
Why Ductless Works for Rentals & Small Properties
Apartment and duplex walls are thin, shared, or just not built for ductwork. Mini splits avoid all of that. A single outdoor unit can power up to three indoor heads, so you can cool a living room and bedroom without running lines through the attic or cutting holes in the roof. The indoor units mount high on the wall or ceiling, out of the way, and the refrigerant lines are small enough to snake through closets or behind baseboards.
Because they’re heat pumps, mini splits reverse to provide heat in winter. Central Texas rarely drops below freezing, so you won’t need a backup furnace. That keeps the system simple and the utility bills low. Most renters and small-property owners see a 30-50% drop in cooling costs compared to window units or portable ACs.
Flat Pricing, No Surprises
Most local HVAC contractors quote by the job, which means you’ll wait for an in-home visit, then haggle over line-set lengths, electrical work, and labor rates. We don’t play that game. Our pricing is flat, posted upfront, and includes everything: equipment, labor, refrigerant, standard electrical, testing, cleanup, and even a Home Depot run for touch-up paint.
Here’s what you get for the flat price:
- 1 zone: $2,000
- 2 zones: $3,700
- 3 zones: $5,400
We tell you upfront if your job has an exception, like a very long line set, a panel upgrade the house already needed, or unusually difficult mounting. Those are rare, but if they come up, you’ll know before we start.
What Renters & Landlords Should Know
If you’re renting, check your lease before installing anything permanent. Most landlords will approve a mini split if you’re paying for it, especially if it’s wall-mounted and doesn’t require structural changes. We can provide a one-page spec sheet for your landlord that shows the minimal impact on the property.
For landlords and duplex owners, mini splits are a selling point. Tenants pay for their own electricity, so the efficiency of a ductless system keeps their bills low. And because the units are quiet and unobtrusive, they’re less likely to be damaged or removed than window units.
We service Austin and the I-35 corridor from Waco/Killeen down to San Antonio. Same flat pricing everywhere, no trip fees, no regional markups.
How we compare
| Factor | Old West Minisplits | The usual |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost (1 zone) | $2,000 flat, all-in | $3,700–$6,000 (custom quote) |
| Pricing Method | Flat rate, posted online | In-home sales visit, hourly labor |
| Hidden Fees | None (exceptions told upfront) | Common (line sets, electrical, labor) |
| Install Time | 1 day per zone | 1–3 days (varies by contractor) |
| Efficiency vs. Window Units | 30–50% cheaper to run | N/A (window units are less efficient) |
Straight answers
Do mini splits work in Central Texas winters?
Yes. Mini splits are heat pumps, which means they reverse to provide heat. They’re rated to work down to 5°F, but Central Texas rarely drops below freezing. For the few cold nights we get, they’re more than enough, no furnace needed.
Can I install a mini split in a rental?
Most landlords will approve a wall-mounted mini split if you’re paying for it. The installation is minimally invasive, no ductwork, no structural changes. We can provide a spec sheet for your landlord to review. If you move, the unit can stay with the property or be removed with minimal patching.
How long does the installation take?
One zone takes about a day. Two zones take a day and a half. We handle everything: mounting the indoor and outdoor units, running the refrigerant lines, wiring, testing, and cleanup. The only thing we don’t do is major electrical upgrades (like a new panel), but we’ll tell you upfront if that’s needed.
What’s the catch with flat pricing?
There isn’t one. The flat price covers everything for a standard install: equipment, labor, refrigerant, line sets up to 25 feet, standard electrical, testing, cleanup, and even touch-up paint. The only exceptions are rare, like a very long line set or a panel upgrade the house already needed. We’ll tell you about those before we start, never after.
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