When it comes to heating and cooling your home, one of the most popular options nowadays is the mini split system. Mini splits provide efficient, zoned temperature control by using an outdoor compressor connected to one or more indoor air handling units. This allows each room to be heated and cooled independently based on individual needs. But do you really need a separate mini split unit in every single room of your house? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons to help you decide.
The benefits of having a mini split in every room
There are some clear advantages to installing a dedicated mini split in each room of your home:
- Maximum temperature control – With a mini split in every room, you can customize the temperature in each space according to precise personal preferences, schedules, and usage patterns.
- Zoning capabilities – Individual units allow you to only heat or cool occupied rooms. This prevents wasting energy on empty rooms.
- Ideal comfort – A mini split placed in each living area, bedroom, and commonly used space can provide direct, focused heating and cooling right where you need it.
- Flexibility – Mini splits are available in a range of capacities to match the needs of different sized spaces. Multiple units provide versatility in system design.
- Air filtration – Most mini splits have built-in air filters to improve indoor air quality in each zone.
- Cost-effective – It is often more affordable to install several smaller mini splits than one large central system.
- Quiet operation – Multiple smaller units allow the compressors and air handlers to run at low speeds, reducing noise.
For these reasons, having dedicated mini split units in every individual room provides the highest level of temperature control, efficiency, air quality, and flexibility. The zoning capability, in particular, helps reduce energy costs compared to heating and cooling the whole house at once.
Reasons you may not need a mini split in every room
On the other hand, there are also some situations where having mini splits in every single room may be unnecessary or impractical:
- Cost – Installing multiple units requires a higher upfront investment compared to a single or dual-zone system.
- Existing ductwork – Homes with existing central heating and cooling ductwork may only need mini splits in a few rooms for supplemental zoning.
- Mild climates – Homes in temperate climates may not require the level of conditioning multiple units provide.
- Open floor plans – Large, open concept spaces are often comfortably handled by a single, properly sized unit.
- Room uses – Spaces like foyers, hallways, storage rooms, and laundries may not warrant dedicated mini splits.
- Aesthetics – Some homeowners dislike the look of having multiple wall or ceiling mounted units in view.
- System complexity – Controlling and maintaining several separate mini splits takes more effort than a single split or central system.
So for homes that already have ductwork, mild weather conditions, open floor plans, or budget constraints, outfitting every single room with its own mini split may be overkill. Strategically placing units in frequently occupied rooms provides most of the benefits without the complexity and costs of overconditioning.
Tips for deciding how many mini splits you need
When trying to determine how many mini split units your home needs, keep these tips in mind:
- Consider your climate – Homes in extreme hot or cold climates benefit more from the zoning control of multiple units.
- Evaluate usage patterns – Install individual units in frequently occupied rooms like bedrooms and living areas.
- Account for room sizes – Size units appropriately based on the square footage and exposure of each space.
- Look at layout – Section off open layouts into logical zones based on usage for placement.
- Examine existing systems – Supplement areas that lack proper conditioning from current HVAC systems.
- Focus on problem rooms – Mini splits are great for adding heating or cooling to hot or cold rooms.
- Get professional advice – Consult HVAC pros to size and place units appropriately for your home.
Carefully thinking through these factors will help you decide which rooms would benefit the most from getting their own dedicated units versus being conditioned by a central system. The right balance depends on your specific home.
Example mini split layouts for different home floor plans
To give you a better idea of how to effectively zone a house with mini splits, here are some example unit layouts for different home floor plans:
Two-story home with central HVAC system
For a two-story house with existing central heating and air conditioning, mini splits may only be needed on the second floor or in rooms far from ductwork:
- Downstairs – Existing central system
- Upstairs master bedroom – 1 mini split unit
- Upstairs office – 1 mini split unit
One-story open concept house
This open layout can likely be handled by 2 strategically placed large capacity units:
- Living room, kitchen, dining – 1 large mini split
- Bedrooms, hallways – 1 large mini split
Older home with window AC units
Replacing window units with mini splits in frequently used rooms improves comfort and efficiency:
- Living room – 1 mini split unit
- Kitchen – 1 mini split unit
- Master bedroom – 1 mini split unit
- Office – 1 mini split unit
Tailoring the layout this way provides enhanced climate control room-by-room over the existing window AC units.
How many BTUs per room?
When installing multiple mini splits, it’s important to right-size the BTU capacity of each unit for the room it will be conditioning to ensure proper temperature regulation and efficiency.
As a general guideline, here are typical BTU requirements per room:
| Room | Typical BTU Requirements |
|---|---|
| Master bedroom | 9,000 – 18,000 BTU |
| Guest bedroom | 9,000 – 12,000 BTU |
| Living room | 12,000 – 18,000 BTU |
| Kitchen | 12,000 – 24,000 BTU |
| Dining room | 12,000 – 18,000 BTU |
| Home office | 9,000 – 12,000 BTU |
Mini splits are available in a wide range of BTU capacities, usually ranging from 9,000 BTU for small rooms up to 36,000 BTU for very large spaces. Consult with an HVAC pro to properly size the units.
Mini split vs central air: Which is better?
Mini split systems differ from central air conditioning in a few key ways that impact their suitability for heating and cooling an entire house.
Some pros of central air vs mini splits:
- Lower upfront cost for whole home cooling
- Integrated humidity control
- Provides conditioning through existing ductwork
- Usually simpler to operate and maintain as a single integrated system
Some pros of mini splits vs central air:
- Zoning control for customized room temperatures
- Higher overall efficiency rating
- Can supplement areas not well served by existing ductwork
- Quieter operation from multiple smaller units
- More versatile installation options
For heating and cooling an entire house from the ground up, central air systems may make more sense overall. But mini splits offer advantages for zoning, efficiency, and custom comfort that make them an attractive option, especially for supplementing existing systems.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, deciding whether you need a dedicated mini split in every room comes down to weighing your specific needs against factors like costs, efficiency, and system complexity.
While individual units provide maximum zoning flexibility, homes with central HVAC systems, open floor plans, or mild climates may only require mini splits in select areas. Focus on installing units in the rooms you occupy the most for enhanced comfort where you need it. Proper sizing and placement is key to maximize the benefits.
With strategic planning guided by the insights of HVAC professionals, you can enjoy the advantages of mini splits for superior comfort and efficiency without necessarily having an individual unit everywhere.
