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If you own a home in Browns Summit, NC, and need a new HVAC system, you face a big decision. One of the most critical aspects of your choice is what type of HVAC system to purchase. If you’re considering a ductless mini-split as your home’s HVAC solution, there are some things you should know first. One of those things is how to choose the right size mini-split for your home. Here is everything you need to know about doing that.
A Word About BTUs and Tons
Before you can choose a mini-split for your home, you must first understand how manufacturers express their capacity. In general, you’ll find that most mini-splits come in sizes measured by BTUs or tons. BTUs, or British thermal units, are a standard measure used throughout the HVAC world. A BTU is how much energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. However, when you see a BTU capacity rating on a mini-split, it could mean one of two very different things. This is because manufacturers use BTUs to denote heating capacity and cooling capacity.
BTU ratings in a cooling context tell you how much heat a given unit will remove in one hour. In a heating context, it’s the opposite. It tells you how much heat the system can add to your home in an hour. In some cases, a mini-split will have identical heating and cooling capacities in BTUs. In other cases, they’ll be quite different. Therefore, you must read carefully when you’re evaluating prospective mini-split HVAC systems.
You should also know that some manufacturers express cooling capacity in tons. That’s the same measure used by central AC systems. The good news is that it’s interchangeable with BTUs. One ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs.
How Many BTUs Do You Need?
Now that you understand how to interpret mini-split capacity ratings, you can begin estimating how many BTUs you need. Generally speaking, you will want between 20 and 25 BTUs of capacity for each square foot of living space. For a precise measurement of your needs, you should have our professional HVAC technicians perform a Manual J calculation. They will evaluate everything from your home’s insulation to its orientation, windows, and doors. Those factors and more can influence your home’s heating and cooling needs.
How Many Rooms Do You Want Your Mini-Split To Serve?
Unlike central HVAC systems, ductless mini-splits require an air handler installed in every room they serve. So, once you know the total number of BTUs your home needs, you’re still not done. Next, you need to determine what share of that capacity each room needs. That’s because different indoor air handlers offer different heating and cooling capacities.
You can only use a combination of air handler capacities that add up to the total system capacity. And even the largest mini-splits can only support up to eight air handlers. That limits your overall system design options and may force you to get creative to meet your home’s needs.
For example, it’s not uncommon for some homeowners to choose two smaller mini-splits to serve their home. By splitting the total load across two systems, you simplify installation and give yourself more air handlers to work with. Two mini-splits can support up to 16 air handlers and would operate identically to a single system. This is because each air handler operates independently anyway. The only complication a multi-system approach introduces is the need for some additional electrical work.
Your Local Ductless Mini-Split Experts
Of course, the best way to choose the right size mini-split for your Browns Summit home is to leave it to Custom Air Inc.. For over 20 years, we’ve served local homeowners with quality HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services. That includes selling and installing the latest mini-split and heat pump HVAC systems. Plus, we handle geothermal, indoor air quality, and duct services. We also offer 24/7 emergency services, so we’re always here when you need us. We’re even Better Business Bureau-accredited with an A+ rating. So, you can count on excellent customer service and workmanship from us.
If you need a mini-split installed in your Browns Summit home, contact our experts at Custom Air Inc. today!
