MRCOOL Mini-Split Comparison
DIY vs Non-DIY — E Star, EZPRO, Advantage & Olympus
Clarity on performance, installation, zones, and rebates. Built by MRCOOL DIY Direct—America’s most trusted MRCOOL dealer.
How the MRCOOL Lineup Breaks Down
All MRCOOL condensers are factory-charged with refrigerant. The biggest difference is how the indoor unit and line set are delivered:
DIY Systems (E Star & EZPRO)
Pre-charged Quick Connect® line sets + sealed, pre-charged air handlers—no vacuum pump required.
Homeowner-installable App + Voice R-454BNon-DIY Systems (Advantage & Olympus)
Air handlers ship with nitrogen and must be evacuated before opening the condenser charge. We don’t recommend “purging” with refrigerant—moisture/air can shorten compressor life.
Pro installation required AHRI certified R-454B (current gens)Controls & Comfort
All lines support the Smart HVAC Controller® app with Alexa/Google for easy scheduling, away mode, and more.
Smart control Auto-restart Leak detectionEfficiency & Rebates
DIY E Star & Multi-Zone models are Energy Star listed and often qualify for federal/utility incentives when properly sized and registered.
Energy Star (select models) Tax credits / CEEDIY Series
5th Gen DIY E Star — Single & Multi-Zone
Quick-connect lines, no specialized tools. Multi-zone now supports up to six indoor units.
Specs and features per MRCOOL 5th Gen DIY brochures (single & multi-zone).
5th Gen EZPRO — Budget-Friendly DIY
All-in one kit with a 16-ft pre-charged install kit; efficient, quiet, and simple for rentals, offices, and smaller homes.
Per EZPRO product brochure.
Non-DIY (Professional Install)
5th Gen Advantage — Pro Value
Great balance of price and performance for contractor installations. Factory-charged condenser; air handler ships with nitrogen—system must be evacuated prior to release.
Per Advantage 5th Gen brochure (features table & coverage).
Olympus — Single & Multi-Zone Flexibility
Premium non-DIY platform with wall, cassette, and ducted air handler options; multi-zone condensers support up to six zones and run all-heat or all-cool at a time.
Per Olympus Multi-Zone brochure (zones, efficiencies, mode limitations).
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | DIY E Star (5th Gen) | EZPRO (5th Gen) | Advantage (5th Gen) | Olympus (Latest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Install Type | Homeowner DIY — Quick Connect® pre-charged lines; pre-charged AHU | Homeowner DIY — 16' kit included; pre-charged AHU | Professional — vacuum & release; AHU ships nitrogen | Professional — vacuum & release; AHU ships nitrogen |
| Max Zones | Up to 6 (multi-zone) | Single-zone | Single-zone | Up to 6 (multi-zone) |
| SEER2 (peak) | Up to ~23.9 (single) / ~23 (multi) | Up to ~20.2 | Up to ~21.5 | Up to ~25.1 (select multi) |
| HSPF2 (peak) | Up to ~11.5 | Up to ~9.3 | Up to ~9.6 | Up to ~10.3 |
| Low-Ambient Cooling | Yes (to ~5 °F) | Yes (to ~5 °F) | Yes (to ~5 °F) | Model dependent |
| Refrigerant | R-454B | R-454B | R-454B | R-454B (current multi) |
| Smart Controls | App + Alexa/Google; Follow Me®; leak detect | App + Alexa/Google; Follow Me®; leak detect | Smart HVAC Controller® compatible | Smart HVAC Controller® compatible |
| Typical Use | DIY homes, shops, offices; single or multi-room | Budget DIY, rentals, studios | Contractor projects; great value pro install | Whole-home or light commercial zoning |
Performance ranges summarized from MRCOOL brochures; see reference links below for exact model specs.
Which System Should I Choose?
“I want maximum DIY performance.”
Go 5th Gen DIY E Star. Highest efficiencies, Energy Star models (9–24k), and up to six zones on multi.
“I’m price-sensitive but still want DIY.”
Pick EZPRO. Includes 16 ft kit, strong SEER2, and quick install.
“My contractor is installing it.”
Advantage is the pro-value sweet spot with low ambient capability and R-454B.
“I need whole-home zoning.”
Olympus Multi-Zone. Up to six indoor units with premium indoor style options.
FAQs
Are DIY systems really pre-charged?
Yes. DIY kits ship with pre-charged Quick Connect® line sets and sealed indoor coils; no vacuum pump or flaring is needed.
What happens if I “purge” a non-DIY system instead of evacuating?
Purging can leave moisture and non-condensables in the system, which may cause oil breakdown, acid formation, and reduced compressor life. Non-DIY systems should always be vacuum-evacuated before releasing the charge from the condenser.
Can a multi-zone heat one room and cool another at the same time?
MRCOOL multi-zone condensers operate in either all-heat or all-cool at a given time—no simultaneous heating and cooling.
Which models are Energy Star?
DIY single-zone 9k–24k and several DIY multi-zone SKUs are Energy Star listed; check current model numbers and local rebate eligibility.
Specs & References
We build our recommendations from MRCOOL’s official brochures. Open any of these for full tables, capacities, and matchups.
Have questions or want help sizing? Call MRCOOL DIY Direct or start a chat—our techs size both single- and multi-zone systems daily.
