Ductless mini splits are a great way to cool your home, but before you buy one it’s important that you know what size unit you need. In most cases, technically you only need one mini split. The term refers to the heat pump outside and then all the air handlers inside that connect to it. Each mini split can have up to eight air handlers connected to a single heat pump. the capability of operating up to 8 zones, utilizing just one outdoor compressor.
Why is Properly Sizing Your Ductless Mini-Split So Important?
It is crucial that a mini-split heat pump is sized properly to fit your space. The system will be able to heat or cool your home without issue if sized correctly. To do so, you must choose a system with a BTU rating that is appropriate for your the size of your space and your heating/cooling needs.
What is a BTU?
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. A BTU is unit of heat; it is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. As a general rule of thumb, the BTU rating of your unit will be higher if the room is larger. A mini-split’s rating can range from 6,000 to 56,000 BTUs. Note that a mini-split should have a higher heating capacity than their cooling capacity.
You should also be aware that the system you choose should not be too large or too small for the space you are trying to heat/cool. You could experience unwelcome consequences that can affect your daily comfort, heating, cooling, and overall function of your mini-split.
How To Size Your Ductless Mini-Split System?
Mini-split systems can be installed in either a single zone or multi-zone situation. A single zone system will have a compressor and air handler that have the same BTU output. A multi-zone ductless mini split will have a condenser (outdoor section) that is a different, but complementary size for the associated indoor air handlers i.e. a 36k BTU outdoor unit is compatible with four 9k BTU air handlers.
Although we highly recommend getting professional assistance when determining the right mini-split size, an expert technician might use the following steps to determine the BTUs needed.
First, you will start by measuring the square footage of each room. Multiply the room’s length and width by their measurement. If the room measures 30 feet by 40 feet in length, it will be 30 x 40 x 1,200 square feet. A technician will multiply the square footage by 25 to get an approximate BTU rating. If you have 1,200 square feet, multiply it by 25 to get 30,000 BTUs.
These calculations work for rooms with a rectangular shape. Triangular and circular room shapes are also common. No matter what shape your room is, a professional can help. It is a good idea for you to call your trusted technician to determine the right ductless mini-split size for your home, office, warehouse, industrial space, etc.
Do You Need A Mini Split In Every Room?
You’ll need an air handler in each room you treat. Each of these units can cover a fairly large area. And, their built-in sensors and fans detect and treat hot or cold spots in the room. But, each one can only treat one enclosed space at a time. So, you can use a 1–1 setup (one air handler and one heat pump) for a single room. You’d need another air handler for every room or area of the house that’s seperated by a wall.
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