The popularity of ductless mini-split units has been gaining for many decades. They’re a great way to help transform many older homes into a more comfortable environment. However, one of the more common questions homeowners wonder about mini-split units is whether they can be installed in just any room or not.
What Are Ductless Mini-split Units?
Ductless mini-split units are indoor air handler units that are designed to heat and cool one particular room or area. Each unit will have a particular square footage that it can cover. Each mini-split unit will connect to an outdoor condenser unit where refrigerant and power will pass between the units.
What Rooms Are Best For Mini-split Units?
When your home gets outfitted with a ductless mini-split system, your HVAC contractor in Commerce will be able to determine what specific rooms should get a unit. In general, the most common spaces are bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, offices, basements, and walk-in attics. These rooms are chosen because they’re highly trafficked and can easily benefit from having individual temperature control.
Why You Shouldn’t Have Mini-splits Put in All Rooms?
It isn’t advisable to have a mini-split unit put in every room of your Commerce home. Rather, doing so will waste energy, time, and your hard-earned money. In general, the smallest size mini-split unit that’s commonly available covers around 250 square feet of space. If you have a small hallway or foyer that’s much less than this, it doesn’t make sense to install a mini-split there.
The unit will simply short cycle because it will be too large for the space. This is inefficient and the upfront cost of the unit won’t be a worthwhile investment. There are various rooms that you should avoid putting mini-splits in. These include rooms that rarely get used and rooms that you won’t remain in for long periods of time, such as bathrooms, corridors, closets, and storage rooms.
Tips on The Best Placement for Mini-Split Units
When getting a mini-split unit installed in one of your rooms, there are a few key placement tips that you’ll want to follow to ensure optimal placement. First and most importantly, your mini-split unit will ideally be placed on an exterior wall. This is because refrigerant and power lines need to run from the back of the unit, out of the exterior wall, and to the outdoor condenser unit. Interior wall mounting can be done if the wall is strong enough to hold the unit and there’s adequate area behind the wall to run the necessary lines. This requires more intensive labor.
Avoid placement near other big objects in the room. Furniture, shelving, and other larger features can affect the air flowing out of the unit, which can lead to uneven temperatures throughout the entire room. Also, avoid placing your unit near electronic devices like televisions, light fixtures, and computers. All of these devices can emit an excessive amount of heat that can cause inaccuracy in your mini-split’s temperature reading.
Another big factor to consider is direct sunlight. If you place a mini-split unit where natural light from the outdoors enters your Commerce home, it can cause the thermostat in your mini-split unit to read a higher temperature than your room actually is. It’s important to note that some mini-split units may have their thermostat inside their remote control. Keep this in mind when considering optimal placement.
Wall-mounted mini-split units must be installed flat on a vertical wall surface; they can’t be mounted on ceilings or angled walls. All wall-mounted units should be placed in an easily accessible location. This will give the unit the best possibility of receiving regular maintenance and filter cleaning. Additionally, these units are best in a location where they can disperse treated air to the entire room. For example, wall-mounted units are best at 6 to 7 feet above the floor.
However, if you have low ceilings, they may need to be placed lower so that the ceiling doesn’t interfere with their treated air dispersion. Each mini-split manufacturer will have its own mounting height recommendation. However, most suggest placement at least 6 inches lower than the room’s ceiling.
There are mini-split units that can be mounted on the ceiling, too. However, these must be in rooms with drop ceilings or with adequate overhead attic clearance for best results.
Lastly, aesthetic appearance is also something that needs to be taken into consideration. Ideally, you want to place your unit so that it blends into the room’s aesthetic if possible. Taking some extra time when considering ultimate placement will ensure that you have a well-functioning and minimally invasive unit for the room that it’s in.
Placement Tips For Outdoor Condenser Units
Apart from getting an adequate placement for all your indoor mini-split units, you’ll also need to ensure optimal placement for your outdoor condenser unit. Ideally, choose a location that is free from shrubbery or other obstacles that could restrict airflow around the unit. There should be at least three feet of open airspace around the unit for optimal performance.
Each condenser unit needs to be completely level to function correctly. This means installing a leveled concrete or composite pad for the unit to sit on. There are specialized mounting brackets that can allow your condenser unit to be installed on the wall or on the roof if necessary. Keep in mind that the closer your condenser unit is to your indoor mini-split units, the more efficiently your entire HVAC system will operate.
Sunlight exposure is another thing to consider, as it can cause your condenser unit to unnecessarily overheat and malfunction. Try to choose a shady location that will keep the unit at a reasonable temperature. Unit noise is also a factor. Opting for a location that isn’t near one of your windows or doors can be exceedingly helpful to minimize the noise you may hear from the unit as it’s running. Additionally, be sure to follow any local zoning ordinances about placement. Some homeowner’s associations may place restrictions on where these units can be placed at your home.
Choosing the Right Size Mini-split Unit
Mini-split units come in different sizes and styles to cover various aesthetic preferences and needs. Each unit will have a recommended square footage that it can adequately cover. It’s imperative that you choose a unit that fits closest to the square footage of each room you’re installing one in. If you choose a unit that is too big, it can run repeated short cycles that will be inefficient for cooling and will drive up your energy bills.
If you get a unit that’s undersized, it won’t be able to adequately control the temperature in the room. Individual mini-split units for residential use are typically available ranging from 250 square feet all the way up to 550 square feet. If you have a room that’s larger than 550 square feet, you may need to have multiple mini-split units installed to adequately control the temperature in that larger room.
Reliable Ductless Mini-split Services
Matheson Heating Air & Plumbing offers reliable ductless mini-split service for the whole Commerce, MI area. We can help with all your air conditioning, heating, plumbing, and indoor air quality needs. Simply give us a call today to book your next appointment.