A mini-split is an air conditioning system that has become increasingly popular in homes because it is ductless and functional. Getting a mini-split system installed can help your home stay comfortable when the surrounding is too hot or cold.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what size of a mini-split is best for your home. The sizes listed below should be used as a starting point for finding the right size and capacity for your application.
How to Choose the Right Mini Split Size
Here’s the deal: bigger isn’t always better. Before buying a mini-split system, you should consider the improvements you made to your home, including any insulation and window placements. Usually, homeowners with good ventilation systems in their house won’t need mini-split systems with higher power requirements.
To get the right mini-split size, hire HVAC professionals to do a manual J-load calculation to see what size air conditioning system your house will need.
Is It Okay to Get a Bigger Mini-Split?
If you have a mini-split that is too big, your home will feel cold and damp.
A bigger mini-split will cool the house down quickly but not remove any moisture from the air or latent heat from inside the home. In other words, it doesn’t get rid of humidity or prevent mold from growing in your house.
How to Size a Mini Split Heat Pump?
A ductless heating and cooling system is sometimes known as a mini-split heat pump. They perform the same functions as most air-conditioning units, but they don’t require ducts and are often used to heat or cool a single room.
To determine the suitable mini-split heat pump size, try the following procedures:
1 . Determine the lot area of the room in square feet. Note that you must multiply the length and the width of the room to get the area.
2. Multiple the room area by 25 to get the recommended BTU capacity of a mini-split.
Note that there are other factors to consider before buying a mini-split, such as:
- The number of people who will be in the room at any given time
- The level of insulation in your home/building
- The orientation of the room you want to heat/cool (south-facing windows tend to let in more heat than north-facing ones)
How Many Mini-Splits Do I Need?
Each room in your house requires one small split zone. Large areas such as an open living space should have at least two indoor units to guarantee adequate heating and cooling capabilities.
If you have more than four rooms to cool or heat, a multi-zone system might be necessary. In other words, there should be multiple evaporator units that are controlled by one condenser unit.
Is It Possible to Cool an Entire House Using a Mini-Split?
A mini-split can cool the entire home when the appropriate size system is installed.
How Many Square Feet Does a 1 Ton Mini Split Cool?
A standard HVAC unit can cool 500 to 1,000 square feet of residential space per ton of cooling capacity.
How Big Is a One Ton Mini Split?
On Average, a one-ton mini-split is 37 x 36 x 19 inches and weighs around 100 pounds. Note that 1 ton equals 12,000 BTU per hour of cooling capacity.
How Many Square Feet Does a 2-Ton Mini Split Cool?
Mini-splits with a power of 24,000 BTU per hour can warm or cool areas ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.
If your home is 1,000 sq ft and you want to heat it in the winter, then a 2-ton mini-split would be able to do so for you. Or if your house is 1,500 sq ft and you want to cool it in the summer, then a 2-ton mini-split can provide adequate cool air.
Can a Mini-Split Cool 1000 Square Feet?
It is recommended to have mini-splits with 36,000 BTU energy capacity to cool a 1,000 square feet house. However, mini splits with at least 18,000 BTU per hour are enough for a well-ventilated area.
What Size of Mini-Split Do I Need For 300 sq ft?
According to MiniSplit Warehouse, “A Mini-split with 8,000 BTUs per hour of power, can cool a space up to 300 square feet—perfect for small living areas and bedrooms. The HVAC system will be able to heat or cool these areas without much trouble.”
What Size of Mini-Split Do I Need For 500 sq ft?
A mini-split with at least 13,000 BTU per hour capacity, can cool or heat rooms up to 500 square feet in size. Mini-splits with 13,000 BTU are ideal for living rooms or home offices that are not too large but require more powerful heating and cooling units due to their size and layout.
What Size of Mini-Split Do I Need For 900 sq ft?
Mini-splits with at least 24,000 BTUs per hour are perfect for rooms between 500 and 900 sq ft—including bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Airconditioning units rated 24,000 BTU per hour are powerful enough to cool anything from a studio apartment to a two-bedroom apartment.
What Size of Mini-Split Do I Need For 1,000 sq ft?
Mini-splits with at least 36,000 BTU per hour capacity will be able to cool a large room or open floor plan.
What Size of Mini-Split Do I Need For 2,000 sq ft?
If you have a large open space (like an office or living room), consider a mini-split with at least 48,000 BTU per hour of heating and cooling capacity. These units will be able to cool larger areas more efficiently and effectively than smaller units.
How Many BTU Do I Need For a Mini-Split?
For reference, here is a mini-split sizing guide based on specific room areas. The sizes below are recommended for houses with good insulation systems.
| Room area (square foot) | BTU required (per hour) |
| 100-250 | 6,000 BTUs |
| 250-300 | 7,000 BTUs |
| 300-350 | 8,000 BTUs |
| 350-400 | 10,000 BTUs |
| 400-500 | 12,000 BTUs |
| 500-550 | 13,000 BTUs |
| 550-650 | 14,000 BTUs |
| 650-750 | 18,000 BTUs |
| 750-1,000 | 24,000 BTUs |
| 1,000-1,500 | 36,000 BTUs |
What Size of a Mini-Split Do I Need for Garage?
A mini-split with 6,000 BTU per hour energy capacity can cool a 15 x 15 square foot garage that can fit one car.
On the other hand, mini-splits with at least 9,000 BTU per hour are highly recommended for larger garage rooms.
What Size of a Mini-Split Do I Need for a Bedroom?
A mini-split with 7,000 to 9,000 BTUs of cooling and heating capacity will be sufficient if you have a small bedroom. If your primary bedroom is more than 400 square feet, consider getting a mini-split with a 12,000 BTU per hour.
What Size of a Mini-Split Do I Need for a Living Room?
Consider having a mini-split 12,000 BTU per hour capacity for small living spaces and 18,000 BTU per hour for larger living rooms.
What Size of a Mini-Split Do I Need For a Retail Store?
If you’re looking for a mini-split for your retail store, you need to think about two main things: capacity and square footage. At least 24,000 BTU per hour is recommended for stores around 1,000 square feet for huge capacity.
What Size of a Mini-Split Do I Need For an Office Space?
Mini-splits with 34,000 BTU per hour energy capacity are recommended for spa salons, big restaurants, and wide stores around 1,000 square feet. If you have multiple offices, mini-splits rated 34,000 BTU per hour will be enough to heat up or cool down your entire office space.
So there you have it! We hope that our quick breakdown of the recommended sizes for mini-split systems has helped you make a more informed decision on your purchase.
The ideas mentioned above should give you a quick overview of the size and BTU of different mini-splits, but you must know that buildings are not all made the same. Whether your walls are wood, concrete, drywall, plywood, or double pane glass, the building’s walls will make a difference in the BTU output you need to efficiently cool or heat your space.
