MRCOOL COMFORT MADE SIMPLE MRCOOL 12000 BTU 115V Ductless Inverter Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump System, Easy Pro Series - Wall-Mounted AC Unit w/Heating and Cooling for Home, Office & Commercial Space

Why I chose the Easy Pro 12K

I needed a quiet, efficient way to condition a single room without running new ductwork. The Easy Pro 12K checked the right boxes: a 12,000 BTU heat pump in a compact, wall-mounted package, rated for up to roughly 550 square feet, and designed for DIY installation with pre-charged line sets. I installed it in a 420 sq ft home office/studio that doubles as a guest room—a good test for both cooling during long workdays and heating on chilly mornings.

Installation: DIY-friendly with a few caveats

The “DIY” promise isn’t marketing fluff here. The pre-charged line set and quick-connect fittings eliminate the need for a vacuum pump or gauges, which is the biggest barrier for most homeowners. That said, it’s not a one-person, one-hour project.

• Planning: I read the entire manual first and sketched the run for the line set, drain, and electrical. This avoided routing surprises mid-install.
• Mounting the indoor unit: The included wall template made it easy to level and hit the studs. I used a 3-inch masonry hole saw to make the pass-through; keep the hole angled slightly downward to promote condensate drainage.
• Line set management: The copper lines are pre-charged, so you need to be gentle with bends. I kept all curves large and smooth and used a line set cover outdoors to protect the bundle and clean up the look along the siding.
• Condenser placement: I poured a small pad (treated 2x4 form and bagged concrete) and anchored the condenser to it. That keeps vibration down and snow/leaf litter out. A pre-made plastic condenser pad would also work.
• Drainage: The included drain line reached, but it was close because I mounted the head unit high on the wall. If you plan a long drop, have an extension on hand.
• Electrical: The unit runs on 115V. I put it on a dedicated circuit with an outdoor disconnect and had a licensed electrician make the final tie-in. It’s straightforward, but it must be to code.

Two practical tips: have a second pair of hands for hanging the indoor unit and uncoiling the line set, and don’t open the service valves until every connection is snugged to spec. The quick-connect fittings are forgiving, but careful torqueing matters.

Cooling and heating performance

In cooling mode, the Easy Pro 12K had no trouble pulling my space down from 82°F to 74°F in under 30 minutes and holding it there. Once the room reached setpoint, the inverter compressor settled into a low, steady rhythm rather than cycling hard on/off. That steadiness is a big part of why mini splits feel so comfortable; the air doesn’t swing hot-cold.

As a heater, it shines for shoulder seasons. On 40–55°F mornings, it warms the room quickly and then sips power to maintain comfort. As with any small heat pump, you should temper expectations in very cold climates—below freezing, the available heat output drops and defrost cycles will occasionally kick in. For my use (mild winters and a single zone), it’s been more than adequate.

Sizing note: 12K BTU is right for well-insulated spaces up to about 500–550 sq ft. If your room has poor insulation, high ceilings, or big south- or west-facing windows, consider stepping up a size or tightening the envelope first.

Noise and comfort

Both the indoor cassette and outdoor condenser are quiet. With the fan on low or auto, I can take video calls without background “whoosh.” Outdoors, the condenser is subdued—close-window quiet. If you’re placing it near a bedroom window, it’s unlikely to be a sleep disruptor.

Airflow is well distributed, and the automatic louver swing helps avoid hot and cold spots. I often leave the fan on continuous low overnight; the gentle air movement actually makes the room feel more even without making the space drafty.

Controls and connectivity

Out of the box, the handheld remote is intuitive and responsive, with quick access to mode, fan speed, swing, and the timer. The unit’s display is bright and easy to read from across the room. I do wish there were a native “display off after X minutes” setting; you can toggle the display off manually, but a schedule would be nicer.

The companion app (via the included WiFi/Bluetooth dongle) adds the convenience of controlling the system from your phone and checking status remotely. Pairing was straightforward on my network. Once online, scheduling is easier in the app than via the remote. I set a weekday “pre-cool” routine so the office is comfortable by the time I sit down.

Air quality and maintenance

The Easy Pro 12K uses MRCOOL’s Active Clean function, which runs a drying cycle on the evaporator to suppress mildew and keep odors at bay. After a particularly humid week, I triggered it and noticed the coil smelled neutral, not musty. The washable filters pop out quickly; I give them a rinse every few weeks.

There’s also refrigerant leak detection baked in. I haven’t had a leak to test, but the safeguard adds peace of mind, especially for a self-installed system. If the unit senses a pressure anomaly, it throws an error and protects itself rather than running compromised.

Efficiency and operating costs

While I’m careful not to throw around lab numbers, real-world usage has been encouraging. The inverter drive keeps watt draw modest after the initial pull-down, and zoned conditioning means I’m not heating or cooling the whole house to make one room comfortable. On days when the rest of the house is idle, the office’s load barely moves the power meter.

Set the temperature a degree or two higher in summer and lower in winter, and let the inverter do the rest. The system seems happiest (and quietest) when it can run steadily rather than chase big setpoint swings.

Build quality and reliability

Fit and finish are good for the class. The indoor unit’s plastics are solid with no creaking, the louvers articulate cleanly, and the outdoor unit’s cabinet feels substantial. The quick-connect hardware inspires confidence once tightened to spec—no weeping or odor detectable after installation.

Do inspect both boxes on delivery; while the packaging is robust, mini splits are still heavy, and carriers are not always gentle. If you see obvious damage, document it and resolve it before fully installing.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and small offices needing to condition a single space up to ~550 sq ft
• DIYers comfortable with drilling, routing a line set, and basic electrical planning
• Anyone wanting quiet, targeted cooling and heating without extending ductwork

Who should look elsewhere:

• Renters who can’t modify walls or add an outdoor condenser
• Very cold climate users needing significant heat output below freezing (consider a higher-capacity cold-climate model)
• Those requiring broad smart-home ecosystem integration beyond the included app

What I’d improve

• A built-in schedule for dimming or disabling the indoor display automatically at night
• A slightly longer stock condensate hose to accommodate high-wall mounts without extensions
• More granular fan-speed control in auto mode; it’s already good, but finer steps would be great for light sleepers

The bottom line

The Easy Pro 12K delivers on its DIY promise without cutting corners on comfort. Installation is approachable with patience and planning, performance is strong for the intended room size, and the combination of quiet operation, app control, and practical features like leak detection and Active Clean makes daily use easy.

Recommendation: I recommend this unit for homeowners who want a reliable, self-installable mini split to heat and cool a single room efficiently. It’s a thoughtful balance of capability and simplicity, and after living with it, I’d choose it again for similar spaces. If you need whole-house coverage, extreme cold-weather heat, or are unable to make permanent modifications, consider other solutions—but for a targeted zone, this is a smart, confidence-inspiring pick.