![]() ![]() Insulation – If the room is poorly insulated, add 20% to compensate for heat loss. Add 20% for old or drafty garages, or for hot seasons like summer.Ĭapacity – If more than two people occupy the room regularly or for long periods (such as a family den), add 600 BTUs for each additional person. If you’re looking for a mini split for your garage, you’ll also have to consider the level of insulation and weather. Room type – If it’s a kitchen, add 4,000 BTUs to compensate for kitchen appliances that emit heat like the fridge, cooktop and oven. Conversely, reduce the BTU by 10% if the room is heavily shaded. Sunlight – if the room gets lots of sun, add 10%. For example, 10 foot high ceilings are 25% taller so you will need to increase your BTU total by 25%. These include the insulation, windows, floors, ceiling, and even the room’s specific location and direction with respect to the sun.Ĭeiling height – if it’s higher than 8 ft., you will to need multiply by the difference. Another factor to consider is the heat load, which is the heat gained by the room from different sources. Note that Square-foot-to-BTU is only one part of the cooling equation. Measure the diameter (the largest width of the room).If you happen to have an oval office, don’t worry – there’s a formula for that too. Determine the size of each subplot, then add everything together.Divide the room into squares, rectangles or triangles as applicable.Multiply the length by the width, then divide by two.Since rooms come in all shapes and sizes, here’s how to determine the square footage: While BTU ratings are straightforward, calculating the room size is more complicated. One major advantage of mini splits over portable air conditioners with the same BTU rating is that they can cool a larger area. This can provide a rough estimate of the mini split BTU per square foot you need to efficiently service the room. The larger the space, the more BTUs are needed.įor air conditioners, there is a BTU-to-room sizing rule of thumb. A BTU is the heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This capacity is measured in British thermal units, or BTUs. Once you know the number of rooms that need cooling, the next question is “What size of mini split do I need?”įirst you need to know how many square feet a ductless air conditioner can cool. In such cases, they tend to quickly cycle on and off, resulting in more wear and wasted energy. Short cycling – Because they are designed for bigger cooling requirements, oversized units can struggle to maintain temperature in smaller spaces. Similarly, an undersized unit can also cause bigger bills, since they will need to run for longer periods and on higher settings just to cool the room. ![]() Utility – An oversized unit may not be efficient in terms of energy, initial and operating cost, space occupied, and power consumed from the total system load. There are several reasons why the system should be proportionate to the room size:Ĭomfort – An underpowered unit might not be enough for the space, or may struggle if there are additional occupants in the room When it comes to mini splits, bigger isn’t always better. The Importance of Proper Mini-Split Sizing Here we’ll help you find the ideal mini split size based on the specific dimensions of the rooms that need cooling. However, the system is only as good as the size - too big and you risk wasting power and utility bills too small and it might not do the job sufficiently. A ductless mini split system is an ideal way to heat and cool several areas of your home in one convenient and energy-efficient package. ![]()
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