Mini-split placement is crucial for the efficiency and comfort of a home’s air conditioning system. It involves placing the unit away from doors and windows to protect against potential damage. There are several placement options available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. To ensure optimal performance and efficiency, it is essential to choose the best spot for both indoor and outdoor units.
A mini-split system consists of an outdoor compressor or condenser and a slim indoor air handling unit. A conduit runs refrigerant between the two units, eliminating the need for ductwork. To ensure optimal performance, install the indoor unit on a vertical perimeter wall, at the manufacturer’s recommended distance from the floor or ceiling, away from heat sources, and located for maximum air distribution. Most technicians recommend placing the unit at least eight to ten feet above the floor, depending on your ceiling height.
Wall-mounted indoor units should be placed at least eight to ten feet from the floor to avoid sending cool air to the ceiling. Floor-mounted units are ideal for rooms with limited wall space or large glass windows. On the main floor, two units should be placed on opposite ends of the building, as they are more than sufficient to handle the space.
In general, the indoor unit of a mini split should be installed at a height of about 7-8 feet above the floor with a minimum clearance of 3 inches.
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Should I put a mini split in the kitchen?
The air conditioner is designed to cool and circulate air, not steam or smoke. The air coming through the AC system can cause the motor to work harder and damage filters. Microwaves, pressure cookers, and rice cookers produce steam, while gas stoves produce fumes from combustion. To prevent damage to the AC unit’s exterior, it is best to install a window or mini-split AC as far away as possible from these appliances. Heat and smoke can cause damage or discoloration to the AC unit’s exterior, which can warp, scorch, or melt over time.
Heat damage to the AC unit’s exterior does not affect its functionality, but it is important to consider the potential fire risk if something on one of the stove burners catches fire. Additionally, cooking can produce carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases, which should be able to leave the house through the home’s ventilation system. Disrupting airflow in the kitchen could allow harmful gases and fumes to build up.
Can 1 mini-split cool 2 rooms?
Ductless mini split systems are capable of cooling multiple rooms or an entire house by strategically placing air handlers throughout the residence. Each air handler is responsible for treating a specific room, thereby providing zoned heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Such systems are particularly suited to residences with open floor plans, three-story structures, and split levels. Such systems diverge from those of a centralized air conditioning system, which regulate the temperature of the entire residence via a single thermostat.
Can you put a mini split anywhere?
Mini split systems offer the convenience of being installed in various areas of the house, including the main living area, kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms. This allows for more precise temperature control, which is beneficial in maintaining comfort in different parts of the home.
Where to put split system in bedroom?
The location of a split system is crucial, especially in the bedroom, where it should be positioned on the wall with the bedhead or side of the bed. The best position is directly above the bed. In the living room, the air conditioner should be placed where people sit, such as the dining table and couch areas. Positioning the split system higher on the wall will help cool the room more effectively.
Ducted air conditioners, which contain main ducts, vents, and an outdoor unit, should be installed in the correct place for proper function and health. These units are typically installed in larger residential houses or properties that need multiple rooms to be cooled simultaneously. To ensure cost-effectiveness and smooth operation, it is important to consider these factors before installing.
Where not to install mini split?
Mini splits should be installed in areas with obstructed airflow, high heat areas, direct sunlight, or extremely cold areas to ensure efficiency and longevity. They should be installed at least 6 inches below the ceiling for efficient airflow, but exact placement recommendations may vary based on the model. For optimal operation and maintenance, a mini split requires at least 12 inches of space on all sides, with specific space requirements varying depending on the model.
Where should a mini-split be placed in a bedroom?
When installing an indoor unit, ensure even air distribution to ensure consistent cooling performance and eliminate hotspots. Avoid high mounting, placing the unit at a reasonable height around eight to 10 feet from the floor. Position the unit directly above the bed or on the wall for bedroom comfort. Ensure wall-mounted units are accessible for regular maintenance and cleaning. Install the unit above and in line with a window for aesthetic value.
Avoid placing the unit near heat sources, as heat can reduce efficiency and lifespan. Consider the noise level of the unit, especially in quiet areas like bedrooms, to ensure a comfortable and efficient cooling experience. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the optimal use of your indoor unit.
Is it OK to put a TV under a mini split?
Avoid placing electronic items close to a mini split unit, such as a television set, as they don’t like water and can cause moisture issues. Instead, consider hiding the split by creating a strong visual emphasis elsewhere in the room. This is the most common way to deal with a mini split and is one of the most fun ways to hide it. Avoid covering the split with a television set, as it would be weird and uncomfortable.
How many mini splits should a house have?
Mini splits are versatile heating and cooling systems that can be used in a single room or a whole home. They typically require one mini split, which includes the heat pump and all the air handlers connected to it. Each mini split can have up to eight air handlers, operating up to eight zones using just one outdoor compressor. To heat or cool multiple rooms, a multi-zone setup with multiple air handlers may be necessary. This may require two mini splits, supporting different indoor units. A professional should be consulted to determine the necessary number of indoor units.
Should I put a mini split in every room?
It is not necessary to install a mini-split in rooms that are only occasionally used, such as corridors, bathrooms, closets, or storage rooms with low humidity. Furthermore, storage and walk-in closets do not require temperature control.
Where is the best place to put a mini split system?
Mini-split placement in each room is crucial for its functionality, as it should be away from doors and windows to prevent airflow interference. The most frequently used rooms may be suitable for a mini-split. When choosing a location, ensure both indoor and outdoor components are accessible for routine maintenance, including changing air filters. Outdoor unit placement should allow ample clearance from landscaping and obstructions. In some cases, installing a condenser on an exterior wall or rooftop may be the best option.
Where should split AC be installed in a room?
In order to guarantee optimal cooling, it is essential to ensure that the split AC is situated at a distance from heat sources and direct sunlight. Furthermore, for a larger room, the unit should be mounted at a height of at least 7 to 8 meters. Additionally, a 15 cm area around the unit is necessary to facilitate uniform cool air circulation.
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Great article and I echo all the positive comments others have said. One issue though is the links you provided to the Tosot unit in both your article and below are no longer active…. perhaps the model was discontinued. It would be nice to have a new link to what would be available now (closest to what you have) as there appear to be three different models available in the same size category. also, it doesn’t appear that you can purchase directly from the website but, I could be wrong about that.
I can appreciate the mini split as they do make sense. Heck you did set yourself up for this one with a horrendous situational awareness issue, well with the mini split you’ll just trip over it and hopefully not hurt yourself. Relax everyone, it was just a little fun. They are decent units that do serve some purposes well.
Oklahoma resident for the past 30 years but originally from Malaysia. In Asia, most homes do not have ductwork so cooling (heating is not needed in most parts) has been done with mini splits for the past 30 years. It is not unusual for a home to have multiple units, one for each room. Costs less than $1000 to have one (just a/c) installed, including labor, in Asia.
Great article as always. I’m in In Michigan and our winters get pretty cold, but I’ve thought about multi head mini splits as an added bonus for my rentals. Is there a good resource that can help you calculate how many BTUs you need for a house or an apartment? I’m assuming you’d have to account for climate, insulation of the building, and size.
Great information, thank you for your vids! I saw your other article where you showed your gas fired heater. I would like to know if you think this split system heated your workshop just as good as the gas, and at a comparable cost. I am trying to decide which one to do, the down side of natural gas for me is I will have to run about 120 feet of underground gas pipe.
I love my Mr. Cool it works great, I hung mine on my house I wish I had mounted it on some sort of a pad as even with the rubber isolation washers it came with it is noticeable in certain parts of my house. I bought mine at Costco it came damaged and they replaced it immediately, also our power company had a rebate for around $750 dollars making it very affordable.
Most annoying issue with mr cool is they decided to jack up all their prices when the people in the pacific northwest started having an actual heatwave last summer. They bumped up prices like 30% overnight. I was able to buy a 24k btu diy unit for $1350 before it got too bad. It is currently $2000 for that unit on amazon now. Glad their competitors are starting to follow suit and do precharged units. Will probably be going elsewhere for the rest of my home units.
Are there warranty differences between Mr Cool and some of the other brands like TOSOT, Senville, etc? I wonder if that is also part of the price diff. Although I have no direct experience (yet), some people are posting that Mr Cool is the only brand to provide a warranty when installed by a non-HVAC professional. I’d love to hear from others on this.
Everything is great until that POS needs service. They are 10 time more complicated to work on than a conventional a/c unit. I had to replace the electronic expansion valve on a Mitsubishi mini split. Johnson supply is our distributor for them. I ordered the part on may 20 and didn’t get until June 6. Try going 2 week without your A/C here in Houston. I thought it might be the evap temp sensor and they didn’t have those in stock either. I was told 22 weeks out and they weren’t even sure about that. There are several control boards inside the unit and good luck on trying to figure what is the problem. Another one had a leaking evaporator coil. Evaporator unit had to be replaced. Watch what you put around it so it’s made easy to access for repairs. It might be easier that after 10 years you might be better just getting another one. Keep the coils clean because you can’t just take it outside to wash it out.
“Mini splits” as you call them are call “split systems” in Australia and are the main type of AC used in most houses because they’re easy to retrofit to existing homes. However they have to be installed by professionals, and all electrical work done by electricians (240v systems). The thing that was missed by this article is how efficient they are. In the current days of greenhouse gas emissions and high energy prices, emphasising the cost benefits should be important. We replaced gas heating with the split systems in various rooms, which are powered by day by solar panels. Free heating and cooling during the day, and they barely use any electricity.