MRCOOL has expanded its popular do-it-yourself mini-split lineup with the new MRCOOL DIY Select Series. Designed as a more affordable entry point into ductless heating and cooling, DIY Select keeps the features most homeowners care about while trimming some of the efficiency and warranty benefits found on the MRCOOL Easy Pro.
For a bedroom, garage, workshop, home office, rental property, or other single-room application, that tradeoff may make a lot of sense.
What is the MRCOOL DIY Select Series?
The DIY Select is a single-zone ductless mini-split heat pump designed for homeowner installation. Like other MRCOOL DIY systems, it provides both air conditioning and heating without requiring existing ductwork.
The series is available in four sizes:
| System size | Recommended coverage* | Voltage | SEER2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,000 BTU | Up to 400 sq. ft. | 115V | 17.5 |
| 12,000 BTU | Up to 550 sq. ft. | 115V | 17.5 |
| 18,000 BTU | Up to 800 sq. ft. | 208/230V | 17.3 |
| 24,000 BTU | Up to 1,050 sq. ft. | 208/230V | 16.5 |
*Coverage estimates assume favorable installation conditions. Insulation, ceiling height, climate, windows, sun exposure, and room layout can all affect proper sizing.
MRCOOL’s published specifications show that DIY Select systems use inverter-driven heat-pump technology and the newer R-454B refrigerant. They include an 11.5-foot factory-precharged Quick Connect line set, allowing homeowners to connect the refrigerant lines without brazing, vacuum pumps, or handling loose refrigerant. MRCOOL DIY Select brochure
What makes DIY Select genuinely DIY-friendly?
The most intimidating part of installing a conventional mini split is usually the refrigerant work. Traditional systems generally need to be evacuated with a vacuum pump, checked with gauges, and commissioned by someone with the appropriate tools and experience.
DIY Select removes much of that complexity. Its sealed, precharged connections are designed to be joined using ordinary hand tools. The included DIYPRO cable also simplifies the connection between the indoor and outdoor units.
That does not mean every installation is completely tool-free. You still need to mount the equipment, drill the wall penetration, route the drain line, make electrical connections, and comply with local codes. Depending on your location and comfort level, you may still want an electrician to install the required dedicated circuit or disconnect.
Nevertheless, the Quick Connect design can eliminate a major professional-labor expense and make a mini-split project much more approachable.
Useful features without a premium price
DIY Select is positioned as MRCOOL’s budget-oriented DIY system, but it is not a bare-bones air conditioner. It includes many of the everyday features customers expect from a modern mini split:
- Heating, cooling, fan, auto, sleep, and dry modes
- Variable-speed inverter operation
- Built-in Wi-Fi and MRCOOL Comfort app control
- Scheduling and remote temperature adjustment
- Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
- Reusable filters
- Quiet indoor operation
- Gold Fin corrosion-resistant coating
- Factory-precharged R-454B line set
- Wireless handheld remote
The indoor air handler is also offered in white or black. The black option is especially appealing when a standard white mini split would stand out against darker walls, modern finishes, workshops, entertainment rooms, or commercial interiors.
MRCOOL DIY Select vs. MRCOOL Easy Pro
The DIY Select and MRCOOL Easy Pro have a great deal in common. Both are single-zone heat pumps, both come in 9K through 24K capacities, and both use precharged R-454B Quick Connect line sets.
The major differences are purchase price, efficiency, warranty coverage, and indoor-unit color choices.
| Feature | MRCOOL DIY Select | MRCOOL Easy Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary advantage | Lower upfront price | Greater efficiency and warranty coverage |
| Capacities | 9K, 12K, 18K and 24K | 9K, 12K, 18K and 24K |
| Included line set | 11.5-foot precharged line set | 11.5-foot precharged line set |
| Refrigerant | R-454B | R-454B |
| SEER2 range | 16.5–17.5 | 18.9–20.2 |
| Smart controls | Wi-Fi, app and voice control | Wi-Fi, app and voice control |
| Indoor-unit colors | White or black | Primarily white |
| Published base warranty | 1-year parts and 2-year compressor | 3-year parts and 5-year compressor |
MRCOOL lists Easy Pro ratings of 20.2 SEER2 for the 9K, 19.5 for the 12K, 20 for the 18K, and 18.9 for the 24K. That makes Easy Pro the more energy-efficient choice in every capacity. Easy Pro 9K specifications, Easy Pro 12K specifications, Easy Pro 18K specifications, Easy Pro 24K specifications
Warranty terms can change and may depend on registration, so buyers should verify the coverage included with the exact model before ordering.
Why should you consider the DIY Select?
The strongest reason to choose DIY Select is simple: lower upfront cost.
If you want dependable heating and cooling but do not need the highest available efficiency rating, DIY Select offers the core MRCOOL DIY experience at a more accessible price. That can make it particularly attractive for:
- Garages and workshops
- Guest rooms and bonus rooms
- Home offices
- Finished basements
- Rental properties
- Seasonal spaces
- Budget-conscious renovations
- Rooms where a black air handler fits the design better
The included 11.5-foot line set is especially convenient for a straightforward back-to-back installation, where the indoor air handler and outdoor condenser sit on opposite sides of the same exterior wall.
When is Easy Pro worth the upgrade?
Easy Pro is likely the better investment when the system will operate heavily throughout the year. Its higher SEER2 ratings can reduce cooling energy consumption, and its longer published warranty provides additional protection.
Consider Easy Pro if:
- The mini split will be used daily
- Electricity rates are high in your area
- Cooling efficiency is a priority
- You expect to own the system for many years
- Longer warranty coverage is important
- A specific efficiency rating is needed for a rebate
Rebate requirements vary widely, and some programs require professional installation or particular efficiency certifications. Always verify the rules before purchasing based on an expected incentive.
The Bottom Line
The MRCOOL DIY Select is not intended to replace Easy Pro in every situation. It gives homeowners another choice.
Choose DIY Select when affordability, straightforward installation, smart controls, and flexible styling are your main priorities. Choose Easy Pro when you are willing to spend more upfront for better efficiency and longer base warranty coverage.
Either way, proper sizing and installation planning matter more than choosing the largest unit. If you are unsure which capacity or series fits your space, contact Chill Mini Splits before ordering.
Shop MRCOOL DIY Select systems or compare MRCOOL Easy Pro systems.
