What matters most for a mini split in a hot, dry state?
Short answer: Cooling capacity on the hottest afternoons, and heat on cold desert nights. Palm Springs designs for 109.7°F in summer, and DIY EasyPro and DIY 5th Gen are rated by MRCOOL to cool up to 122°F outside. Dry air means the unit spends its effort on cooling, not drying. Winter nights still get cold: Reno designs for 15.9°F and the coldest night of the last ten winters was −6°F in Roswell, above the −12°F and −13°F the MRCOOL DIY series heat down to. For the lowest bill over a long cooling season, pick DIY 5th Gen.
This guide covers Nevada and compares it with Arizona, New Mexico and inland California. Those states also have their own page.
Hot, dry states compared
Desert and high-desert cities share hot, dry summers and cold winter nights. The table shows the numbers HVAC sizing uses for each.
| State | City (climate zone) | Summer high | Winter low | Cooling hours | Heating hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Phoenix (2B) | 108.5°F | 39.3°F | 2,141 | 1,116 |
| Arizona | Tucson (2B) | 103.6°F | 32°F | 1,842 | 1,261 |
| Nevada | Las Vegas (3B) | 106.7°F | 32.8°F | 1,773 | 1,642 |
| Nevada | Reno (5B) | 94.4°F | 15.9°F | 317 | 2,631 |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque (4B) | 93.4°F | 19°F | 1,038 | 2,162 |
| New Mexico | Roswell (3B) | 99.2°F | 17.7°F | 1,355 | 1,596 |
| California | Palm Springs (3B) | 109.7°F | 41.2°F | 2,092 | 630 |
| California | Sacramento (3B) | 97.5°F | 30.8°F | 871 | 2,016 |
Design temperatures: ASHRAE 2021 (1% cooling, 99.6% heating dry bulb). Climate zones: 2021 IECC by county (PNNL guide). Hours: ENERGY STAR heat pump savings calculator (full-load hours; – means the city is not in its table).
Cooling in dry heat
In dry heat a mini split does mostly cooling and little drying. The inverter slows down instead of switching off, so it holds the temperature on long afternoons with less power.
Which system for a hot, dry climate
What size for your room
Measure each room (length × width) and match it to an indoor unit.
| Room size | Indoor unit | Single zone voltage |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 250 sq ft | 6K BTU (multi-zone only) | – |
| 251–400 sq ft | 9K BTU | 115V |
| 401–550 sq ft | 12K BTU | 115V |
| 551–800 sq ft | 18K BTU | 230V |
| 801–1,050 sq ft | 24K BTU | 230V |
| 1,051–1,550 sq ft | 36K BTU | 230V |
Go one size up for rooms with west or south windows, a top floor under the roof, high ceilings, poor insulation, or a kitchen. A garage that isn’t insulated also goes one size up. Full sizing guide
Several rooms? See multi-zone systems
What it costs to run
Yearly cost to heat and cool one 12K room, at each state’s average power price.
| City | Power price | DIY Select | DIY EasyPro | DIY 5th Gen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | 15.1¢ | $445 | $415 | $362 |
| Tucson, Arizona | 15.1¢ | $443 | $415 | $365 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | 12.7¢ | $433 | $408 | $361 |
| Reno, Nevada | 12.7¢ | $474 | $457 | $414 |
| Albuquerque, New Mexico | 16.5¢ | $593 | $566 | $507 |
| Roswell, New Mexico | 16.5¢ | $505 | $478 | $424 |
| Palm Springs, California | 29.8¢ | $677 | $625 | $538 |
| Sacramento, California | 29.8¢ | $977 | $933 | $838 |
Estimate, not a quote: (cooling BTU × cooling hours ÷ SEER2 + heating BTU × heating hours ÷ HSPF2) ÷ 1,000 × price. HSPF2 is the standard rating (Region IV) shown on the product pages. Hours: ENERGY STAR heat pump savings calculator. Power price: EIA, August 2026.
What the equipment costs
Prices for complete single zone systems: outdoor unit, indoor unit, pre-charged line set and remote. Shipping is free to all 4 states in this guide.
| Size | DIY Select | DIY EasyPro | DIY 5th Gen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9K | $1,249 | $1,487 | $2,329 |
| 12K | $1,399 | $1,599 | $2,359 |
| 18K | $1,690 | $1,806 | $2,909 |
| 24K | $1,899 | $2,109 | $3,329 |
| 36K | – | – | $3,769 |
Rebates by state
Utilities with rebates on MRCOOL DIY models, from MRCOOL’s rebate data. Rebates checked November 2026. Amounts change; confirm with your utility.
| State | Utilities with rebates | Highest | Who installs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 | $2,000 | All need a participating contractor |
| Nevada | 1 | $2,500 | All need a participating contractor |
| New Mexico | 2 | $1,500 | 1 of 2 need a participating contractor |
| California | 4 | $9,791 | 2 of 4 need a participating contractor |
Nevada
| Utility | Up to | Who installs |
|---|---|---|
| NV Energy | $2,500 | Needs a participating contractor |
DIY or a pro
MRCOOL DIY systems are built for a homeowner install: the line set comes pre-charged and connects by hand, so there’s no vacuum pump or refrigerant work. Most people hire an electrician for the new circuit, and permit rules depend on your city. Can you install a mini split yourself?
Which MRCOOL system for a hot, dry climate
Mini split questions for hot, dry climates
Will it keep up on a 110°F afternoon?
DIY EasyPro and DIY 5th Gen are rated by MRCOOL to cool with outdoor temperatures up to 122°F. Palm Springs designs for 109.7°F. Size each room with the chart and go one size up for west-facing or top-floor rooms.
Does it heat on cold desert nights?
Yes. The coldest night of the last ten winters in these cities was −6°F in Roswell. DIY Select heats down to −12°F and DIY EasyPro and DIY 5th Gen down to −13°F.
Does Nevada have its own page?
Nevada is covered here. Las Vegas and Reno are in the tables above, and Nevada rebates are below.
Are there rebates?
Some utilities list rebates for MRCOOL DIY models; see the tables. Many need a participating contractor. The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
How long does shipping take?
Verified orders ship from Kentucky in 2 to 4 business days, then 3 to 7 by freight. Shipping is free to all 4 states.