Unless you have years of HVAC training, terms like SEER, HSPF and heating or cooling capacity aren’t likely to come up in conversation too often. That can make sorting through information about mini-split air conditioners confusing at best. To make an informed decision about which mini-split system best fits your family’s needs, you’ll want to gather information about the following items.
Capacity and Size
If you’ve had to deal with buying other HVAC components in the past, you may be familiar with BTU ratings. A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a measure of the energy it takes to make the air in your home cooler or warmer. A small residential furnace might provide 65,000 or 85,000 BTUs to heat a small house. Mini-split air conditioners can get by with smaller BTU capacities because they supply conditioned air directly to a room instead of to the whole house.
A mini-split system for a single room may have 9,000 to 12,000 BTUs, while a unit with 48,000 BTUs can provide enough capacity to treat several rooms with multiple air handlers.
Determine the square footage of the rooms you want to condition to find the correct capacity size of your mini-split system.
Size matters when it comes to purchasing an HVAC system. If it’s too large you will pay more for upkeep, but going too small could mean it may not entirely heat or cool your home. Factors that play a role in the air conditioner size include climate, home exterior, shade and sun exposure, insulation, windows, ceiling height and heat-generating appliances.
To calculate the size of the unit required, you will need to know the square footage of the room or house. To determine the square footage, multiply the length times the width of your rooms and add them together. Next, multiply the square footage by 25 to obtain the BTUs required to cool the room.
Energy Efficiency
Perhaps the best reason to install a mini-split system is to save on monthly energy costs. Ensuring the mini-split unit you’re considering is EnergyStar-rated means you’ll get the most energy savings possible for your investment. Ductless mini-split air conditioners must consistently meet strict SEER (cooling) and HSPF (heating) efficiency ratings to qualify for an EnergyStar listing.
Cost
Ductless mini-split air conditioners are available in sizes capable of conditioning one small room up to an entire house. Size matters when it comes to price. Mini-split AC installation costs can run from $2,000 to $14,500, depending primarily on the system’s size.
Bigger isn’t always better, though. Although mini-split systems are more energy-efficient than traditional heating and cooling setups, it could take several years to recoup the cost of the new system through your energy bills.
An air conditioner with an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 10 has a daily consumption of 28.8 kWh. Having an average electricity cost of $0.15 per kWh means the daily cost comes out to $4.32, which per month the cost to run an air conditioner would be about $112.20. Costs can vary per the unit’s EER, usage and local electricity rates.
When planning to buy a mini-split AC system, consider the dollar amount of energy savings with installation costs and keep in mind your budget and savings goals.
Installer Availability
Although DIY installation of your mini-split system is possible, the job isn’t desirable for every homeowner. Most will choose to hire a professional to install their new air conditioning. Many installers recommend and sell only models they’re confident in marketing to you. Check with your installation company for recommendations before committing to a specific unit to ensure they’re willing to install the one you choose.
Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of a mini-split air conditioning involves several aspects. These include a room’s insulation, a unit’s dimensions, temperature setting preferences and your local climate. Before getting a mini-split air conditioner, it’s a good idea to get the expertise of an HVAC professional to make sure the factors that impact cooling capacity are taken into consideration before system installation.
Noise Level
No one likes a noisy system. So before deciding on a mini-split air conditioning system, make sure you know its decibel ratings (dB), which are the standard units for measuring sound levels. For your home, you will want a noise level under 40 dB, which is as quiet as a whisper. Before installing, make sure to choose a decibel rating that meets your needs.
