Your Rheem Unit Is Struggling. Here Is How We Help.

Updated September 2026 · ATX Mini Split King, Austin and Central Texas

If your Rheem system is not keeping up with the Texas heat, you are likely looking at a loud, short cycling unit or a high repair bill. ATX Mini Split King replaces failing equipment with ductless mini splits that match your home. We are an independent contractor with no ties to Rheem. We give you honest choices, clear pricing, and work done to code by a TDLR licensed contractor in Austin and Central Texas.

ATX Mini Split King is an independent HVAC and electrical contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a representative of Rheem or any manufacturer. The Rheem name appears here only to describe equipment that may already be installed in your home and that we can remove and replace. All manufacturer names are the property of their owners.

Flat pricing, everything included

Those are materials and labor together, wired to code by a TDLR licensed contractor. Anything non standard gets quoted first, before a single tool comes out of the truck: a very long line set, an electrical panel that needs work, a difficult mount, a roof or masonry penetration, disposal of the old equipment. You hear the number before we start, not after.

What Brings You Here

Most homeowners call us when their existing system stops cooling effectively. The air coming out feels warm or barely cool. The unit runs for a few minutes then shuts off, a pattern called short cycling. It may make grinding, rattling, or squealing noises that get worse over time. The equipment is old, often 10 to 15 years or more. A repair quote came back higher than expected, and you are tired of paying for fixes that do not last.

In Central Texas, long hot summers put heavy demand on any system. Older homes, additions, and converted garages often have equipment that was undersized or poorly installed. You may notice one room is comfortable while another is stifling. The system may run constantly without reaching the thermostat setting. These are signs that the equipment is struggling, not necessarily a brand specific issue. We treat the name as a neutral label and focus on what is actually happening in your home.

Repair versus Replace: An Honest Look

Repair is sometimes the smarter money. If the problem is a simple part like a capacitor, a contactor, or a small refrigerant leak that can be fixed in under an hour, a repair may cost a few hundred dollars and buy you another year or two. If the compressor has failed, the coil is leaking badly, or the board is fried, repair costs can climb quickly. At that point, putting money into old equipment is like pouring water into a cracked pot.

A replacement makes sense when the system is old, the repair cost is more than half the cost of new equipment, or you want better comfort and quieter operation. Ductless mini splits are not always the right answer. If you have existing ductwork in good condition and a central system that just needs a like for like swap, a traditional unit may be a better fit. We will tell you honestly which path makes sense for your home and budget.

What Carries Over to a New Ductless System

When we remove your old Rheem system, some parts can be reused and some cannot. The outdoor concrete pad stays if it is level and in good condition. The wall penetration where refrigerant lines pass through can often be reused. The electrical disconnect box and the dedicated circuit breaker may be reused if they are sized correctly and in good shape. The mounting bracket for the outdoor unit is usually removed because it is specific to the old equipment.

The line set, the copper pipes that carry refrigerant, must be replaced. Old line sets can contain contaminants, moisture, or the wrong type of oil. The condensate drain route can often be reused, but the drain line itself is replaced to avoid clogs and mold. The indoor mounting bracket for the old air handler is removed. We install new brackets and hardware for the ductless heads. Everything is done to current code by a TDLR licensed contractor.

What the Replacement Day Looks Like

The job starts with a walkthrough to confirm the plan. We turn off power to the old system at the breaker. We remove the indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and the line set. If the old refrigerant is still in the system, we capture it properly. We patch the wall penetration if needed or enlarge it for the new lines. We mount the new indoor head in the spot you chose, run new line set, and install the new outdoor condenser on the existing pad or a new one.

Before we arrive, you need to decide where the indoor head or heads will go. Common spots are on an interior wall in a living room, above a door in a bedroom, or in a converted garage. You choose how many zones you want. One head for one room, two heads for two rooms, or three heads for three rooms. You also decide where the outdoor condenser sits, usually on the side or back of the house. We handle the rest, including electrical connections, condensate routing, and system testing.

Flat Pricing and What Is Included

Our pricing is straightforward. One indoor head is $1,500. Two indoor heads are $2,500. Three indoor heads are $3,500. These prices include all materials and labor for a standard installation. We supply the ductless mini split system, line set, mounting hardware, electrical connections, and condensate drain. We handle removal and disposal of your old Rheem equipment. Work is done to code by a TDLR licensed contractor in Austin and Central Texas.

Non standard items are quoted separately before any work begins. Examples include running a new dedicated circuit from the panel if the existing one is not adequate, upgrading the electrical panel, adding a subpanel, installing a condensate pump if gravity drainage is not possible, or structural work like building a new pad or reinforcing a wall. We discuss these during the free on site estimate. You will know the total cost before we start. No hidden fees, no surprises.

What to Ask Any Installer Before You Hire

Ask if they are a TDLR licensed contractor and if they carry workers compensation and liability insurance. Ask if they will pull a permit for the work. In Austin and many Central Texas jurisdictions, electrical and mechanical work often requires a permit. Ask what brand they install and why. Ask what is included in the price and what is extra. Ask how they handle refrigerant recovery and disposal of old equipment. Ask about the timeline for the job and who will be on site.

Keeping your existing equipment is the better decision if it is less than 8 years old, the repair is minor, and the system has been reliable. If you have ductwork that is in good shape and you are happy with the comfort, a like for like central replacement may be simpler. We will say so at the site visit if you need to cool a whole house with existing ducts, if you have no wall space for heads, or if you want a single thermostat to control everything. We will tell you what is best for your situation.

Questions people actually ask

How long does a typical replacement take?

A single zone replacement usually takes one full day. Two or three zones may take a day and a half to two days. We work efficiently and clean up each day. We coordinate with you on access and power shutoff. The timeline depends on the complexity of the installation and whether any electrical upgrades are needed.

Do I need to be home during the installation?

Yes, at least for the start of the day to confirm placement of the indoor heads and outdoor unit. After that, you can go about your day. We need access to each room where a head is installed and to the electrical panel. We will let you know when we are done and walk you through the system operation.

Can you install a mini split in a converted garage?

Yes. Converted garages are common in Central Texas and often lack ductwork. A ductless mini split is a good fit. We mount the head on an interior wall or the ceiling, run the line set to the outdoor unit, and connect to power. We make sure the installation meets code and that the unit is properly sized for the space.

What if my outdoor pad is cracked or unlevel?

We will inspect the pad during the estimate. If it is cracked, sinking, or unlevel, we recommend replacing it. A new pad costs extra and is quoted before work. A stable, level pad is important for proper operation and to prevent vibration and noise. We can pour a new pad or use a preformed plastic pad.

Do you work in older Austin homes with limited wall space?

Yes. Older homes often have thick walls, plaster, or limited interior wall area. We can mount the indoor head on an exterior wall, a ceiling, or a high wall above a window or door. We run the line set through a wall penetration and conceal it with a line hide cover. We work around your home's layout and your preferences.

Keep reading

Every replacement guide we have written is listed on the replacement guide hub. Next door to this page: replacing a failing ruud unit in austin, replacing a failing york unit in austin. Pricing, service area and the quote form all live on the ATX Mini Split King home page, and the Austin mini split cost guide covers what the rest of the market charges.