That sounds like a fantastic opportunity for a fresh company to take over the market. Heat as a service.
It costs about 2kUSD to get air to air exchange heatpump installed here (minisplit, includes the cost of the pump, EU). Takes approx 3 hours.
It costs about 2kUSD to get air to air exchange heatpump installed here (minisplit, includes the cost of the pump, EU). Takes approx 3 hours.
I saved ~ 10k doing the install myself. The equipment is inexpensive, labor can be upwards of 2x equipment cost.
That said, some will inevitably leak out (ie. while disconnecting manifold gauge set) but no big deal. I've done four installs and nothing catastrophic.
My experience was that it was simpler and quicker to pay someone despite having basically the simplest possible installation: inside and outside units on opposite sides of the same exterior wall. The guy was great, and recommended a unit with an easily removable blower wheel for the dusty wood shop application[1]. I wouldn't have gotten there on my own, for sure. And he made sure that it qualified for the incentives. The list is long, and the models that are actually in production/available change pretty regularly.
Technically, it can be a pretty simple job. Practically, local regulations and circumstances might sway things towards hiring it out.
I say all this as someone who is a fairly competent shade-tree mechanic. I've done an engine swap and replaced a couple of clutches (transmission seal failure and previous owner's poor work; I know how to drive stick)
[0] I'm playing fast and loose with the exact words; it's been a few months since I looked into it.
[1] Cooper-Hunter, which is a Midea brand
You can buy a Mr Cool unit, you won't need to cut/flare/vacuum the lineset, just connect. I don't personally don't use them as their units generally cost a bit more, (30$ ~ 50%) and you're stuck with whatever lineset lengths they offer. However it's a great starter install and work just fine.
Cooper-Hunter units come precharged, so fairly easy to DIY.