Ceiling Cassette or Wall Mount. Pick Your Position.
A wall-mounted mini split hangs on the wall where everyone can see it. A ceiling cassette sits nearly flush with the ceiling and spreads air in four directions. Both are heat pumps that cool through brutal Central Texas summers and handle mild winters without a furnace. The choice comes down to the room layout, the look you want, and whether you have accessible attic space above the ceiling.
Old West Minisplits installs both styles at a flat price. 1 zone is $2,000, 2 zones are $3,700, and 3 zones are $5,400. That covers equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and even a Home Depot run for touch-up paint. No trip fees. No standoffs.
When a Ceiling Cassette Earns Its Keep
A ceiling cassette is the right tool for a room with no good wall space. If windows, shelving, or artwork dominate the walls, a cassette tucks up into the ceiling and stays out of the way. It throws air in four directions, which helps even out temperatures in an open kitchen, a large living room, or a master suite with a tray ceiling.
The tradeoff is access. A cassette needs enough space above the ceiling for the unit body and the line set. In a single-story house with an attic, that is usually straightforward. In a room with a second floor above it or a very tight ceiling cavity, the install gets harder and may fall under an honest exception like unusually difficult mounting.
When a Wall Mount Is the Cleaner Shot
A wall-mounted unit is simpler to install and easier to service because the unit sits high on the wall with direct access to the outdoor line set. Most bedrooms, home offices, and small living rooms do fine with a wall mount. It costs no less than a cassette on our flat price sheet, but it often means a faster install with less disruption to the ceiling.
Wall units direct air in one main path. That is not a drawback in a bedroom or a hallway where you want a steady flow down the length of the room. The look is more visible, but many homeowners prefer the straightforward mechanical presence of a wall unit over cutting into the ceiling.
The Ceiling Cassette Install, Straight Up
A ceiling cassette install starts with cutting an opening in the ceiling drywall and mounting the cassette pan into the joists. The line set and drain line run through the attic to the outdoor condenser. A licensed contractor handles the entire job. Standard electrical is included. If the house needs a panel upgrade that it already needed before the mini split, that is a separate item arranged with a licensed electrician.
These flat prices are for new installs only. They are not for repairs or service calls. If the scope grows because of a very long line set or an existing panel problem, we state that up front. No buried charges, no last minute standoffs.
How we compare
| Factor | Old West Minisplits | Other Central Texas Contractors |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Flat price. 1 zone $2,000, 2 zones $3,700, 3 zones $5,400. | Custom quotes. Ductless installs in Central Texas commonly run $3,000-$6,000 per zone, most require an in-home visit before quoting. |
| Cassette vs Wall Mount Pricing | Same flat price for either style. You choose based on the room, not the upcharge. | Ceiling cassettes often carry a premium over wall mounts because of the extra ceiling work. |
| Itemized Inclusions | Equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and a Home Depot run for touch-up paint. | Line set length, electrical, and even cleanup can appear as separate line items after the quote. |
| Quote Process | Fill out the quote form at /#quote. The price is posted up front. | In-home visit and a waiting period before you see a number. |
Straight answers
Does the flat price cover a ceiling cassette the same as a wall mount?
Yes. 1 zone is $2,000, 2 zones are $3,700, and 3 zones are $5,400 whether you choose a ceiling cassette or a wall-mounted unit. The flat price covers equipment, labor, line set, standard electrical, refrigerant, testing, cleanup, and a Home Depot run for touch-up paint. These are new install prices only, not repairs or service calls.
Can I mix ceiling cassettes and wall mounts in the same house?
Yes. A common setup is a ceiling cassette in an open living area and wall mounts in bedrooms. The flat price applies per zone. A 2 zone system at $3,700 could be one cassette and one wall mount. A 3 zone system at $5,400 could be any combination you need.
What makes a ceiling cassette install harder than a wall mount?
The unit needs space above the ceiling for the body, the line set, and the drain line. A single-story house with an attic is usually straightforward. A room with a floor above it or a very tight ceiling cavity may require more work. That would fall under an honest exception like unusually difficult mounting, and we state it up front before any work begins.
Do I need to patch the ceiling myself after a cassette install?
No. Cleanup is included in the flat price. That includes a Home Depot run for touch-up paint so the finished install looks right. If the ceiling needs work beyond the scope of the mini split install, we will tell you to arrange that separately with the appropriate trade.
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