How-to
Mini Split Delivery: Freight, the Pallet, and Delivery Day
Classic AmericaNov 11th 20263 min read
The short answer
- Mini splits ship with free freight on a 40 × 48 inch pallet. These systems weigh about 124 to 225 lb.
- Carriers include South Eastern Freight Lines, FedEx Freight, AAA Cooper, Amazon Services, or a similar freight line. You'll get a tracking email once it ships.
- We process orders the same business day or the next, and most deliveries arrive in 2 to 7 business days, depending on distance.
- At checkout, please give us a phone number the driver can call. Window units are different: they ship UPS Ground, signature required.
Freight is the product, not a surprise fee
A ductless system is an indoor head, an outdoor unit, and a line set, and that just doesn't fit on a regular parcel truck. “Ships in one box” means all those pieces travel together on one pallet. It doesn't mean the driver can hand you a 200-pound crate at the door the way a window unit gets handed over. You'll want someone home, a clear path from the truck to a dry spot, and a phone that gets answered.
| Product | How it ships | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Any mini split | Freight pallet, 40 × 48 in | Phone number, an adult, a dry staging spot |
| 9,000 through 23,000 and DUET | About 124–225 lb | No stairs plan left to the last minute |
| Window units | UPS Ground | Signature required |
| Remotes and the bracket | Parcel, free shipping | Ordinary delivery |
Our delivery and installation guide covers the install side of the same shipment, and shipping and returns covers the returns policy: uninstalled equipment, in original condition, within 30 days, and returns need to go back palletized, shrink-wrapped, and strapped. This page is all about the day the truck shows up.
What to do when the driver is in the driveway
- Check the pallet and boxes for crushing, torn wrap, or oil stains before you sign.
- Note any damage on the delivery receipt. A signature that says “received in good condition” is much harder to undo later.
- Count the major pieces: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. DUET should include two indoor heads, not one.
- Move the pallet to a dry, level spot. Please don't open the refrigerant circuit to “make sure it's charged.”
- Keep the equipment sealed until your licensed installer is ready. You're covered for 5 years on the compressor and 1 year on parts.
From the spec sheet
- 12,000 BTU/h cooling · 1 ton
- 19 SEER2
- 115V
- Up to 550 sq ft
- Heating nameplate 12,200 BTU/h
From the spec sheet
- 23,000 BTU/h cooling · 1.92 tons
- 17 SEER2
- 208/230V
- Up to 1,400 sq ft
- Heating nameplate 22,400 BTU/h
Delivery day isn't install day
- Don't let the driver leave a damaged crate signed for as “fine.”
- Don't open the service valves or cut the line-set caps, since that releases the factory charge.
- A 115V system still isn't a plug-in, even once it's sitting in your garage.
- Refrigerant connections and the electrical circuit wait for licensed pros. Your DIY part is the path, the pad location, and the measurements you already took in the Install Planner.
After it is indoors, the clock is the install
Same-day processing doesn't mean same-day cooling, so use the wait to finish the Install Planner: line length, voltage, and where the outdoor unit will sit. The 19 SEER2 12,000, the one published for up to about 550 square feet, includes a 16 ft line set. The 23,000 BTU kit includes a 16 ft line set, and that model is rated 17 SEER2. DUET includes 2 x 16 ft and is precharged for 25 ft per line. If the pallet showed up before your plan did, what to plan before install day has a handy checklist. And your room size still comes from the Size Finder, no matter how quickly the freight arrived.
FAQ
Common questions
How is a mini split delivered?
On a 40 by 48 inch freight pallet. These systems weigh about 124 to 225 pounds. Carriers include South Eastern Freight Lines, FedEx Freight, AAA Cooper, Amazon Services, or similar.
How long does shipping take?
We process orders the same business day or the next, and delivery usually takes 2 to 7 business days, depending on where you are. You'll get a tracking email when it ships.
Do window units ship the same way?
No. Window units ship UPS Ground and require a signature. Mini splits are the ones that ship by freight.
What if the carton is damaged?
Note it on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves. We accept returns of uninstalled equipment in original condition within 30 days, and the return trip goes back on a pallet too.
