Considering the cost of a new HVAC systems and the cost to cool an entire home during these extra hot summer, many home owner are considering mini-split systems. Are mini-splits the right choice for your space?
A Statista study (2022) shows that roughly 77% of all air-conditioning stock worldwide in 2016 were the mini- and multi-ductless splits style. They are widely used and the technology has come a long way. The units are fairly to easy to install and can be installed in high use rooms to keep energy cost down.
You should take a few things into consideration before deciding on whether you’ll install a mini-split or standard HVAC system into your space.
A standard rule to keep in mind is that a 1,500 square foot home should have roughly 30,000 BTU of cooling output. If your objective is to cool your entire home, that means you are likely to need a system with 3 mini-splits, which you could setup to operate in zones. A small home could require fewer, and a larger home could require more. Some homes can comfortably operate with air conditioning on only one floor.
Beyond BTU requirements for square footage, you also need to think about how the air moves throughout your home. The airflow and air access to different rooms is an important factor in placement, as well as in determining the overall number you need. If your unit is cooling a space adequately, but leaching off into a larger room, you could end up with hot pockets and differential temperatures throughout the room. Or if you have a unit incapable of handling the combined space of the rooms affected by airflow, you could end up with inefficiencies and differential temperatures.
Mini-split systems rely on an exterior unit to do most the work; the interior units are largely just air handlers. A final consideration to make is the location of the primary exterior unit. One unit can handle many interior air handlers, but you may want additional exterior units to create additional zones inside. Regardless, you’ll want to think about how the ducts run from the outside unit to the inside handlers.
You’ll want to talk to a licensed pro to make sure you get it right. Call the qualified technicians at Dale RCS in Santa Rosa to discuss if a more energy-efficient mini-split system is right for your needs.