Mini Split and HVAC Sizing Calculator

Mini Split and HVAC Sizing Calculator

What Size Mini Split Should You Buy

Ken, the eComfort Product Expert
By 
Product Expert

When upgrading your home's HVAC equipment or purchasing a new system, the most crucial step is getting the right size for the space.

To help you, we've created this quick and easy sizing calculator. After you've entered your room information, you'll be armed with the power to build the perfect mini split system for optimal comfort and efficiency.

 

Step 1. Basic Info
Step 2. Room Info
Step 3. Construction
Step 4. Results
Total Load Calculations
Cooling Load:
Heating Load:
Basic Room & Home Information
Room Size:
Zip Code:
Room Type:
Building Age:
Download As PDF
Print
* For more accurate load calculations, you can edit the detailed information below.
Skip To Results
Tell Us About Your Home
Fill out all of the fields provided to calculate your heating and cooling loads. We'll use that information to help you find the right mini split system for your home.
Select the approximate age range of your home. We will use this to make an estimate of the quality of insulation of your home.
Because different types of rooms are used differently, they have different heating and cooling needs.
Calculate Load Estimates
Temperature Information
High: 90°F | Low: 10°F
Outdoor Design Temp. determined by ZIP Code.
Next: To Wall Details
Wall Details
Select 'Yes' if this wall separates the space being conditioned from the outdoors or an unconditioned space like a garage. Otherwise, if this wall is adjacent to another conditioned space, select 'No'.
Enter the width of the wall. If only a portion of the wall is "Exposed", enter this width.
Select 'Yes' if this wall separates the space being conditioned from the outdoors or an unconditioned space like a garage. Otherwise, if this wall is adjacent to another conditioned space, select 'No'.
Enter the width of the wall. If only a portion of the wall is "Exposed", enter this width.
Select 'Yes' if this wall separates the space being conditioned from the outdoors or an unconditioned space like a garage. Otherwise, if this wall is adjacent to another conditioned space, select 'No'.
Enter the width of the wall. If only a portion of the wall is "Exposed", enter this width.
Select 'Yes' if this wall separates the space being conditioned from the outdoors or an unconditioned space like a garage. Otherwise, if this wall is adjacent to another conditioned space, select 'No'.
Enter the width of the wall. If only a portion of the wall is "Exposed", enter this width.
Window Details
North
We assume Windows are 3'x4'. If your windows are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
We assume French Doors are 3'x7'. Each half of a double door should be counted separately.
We assume Sliding Doors are 6'x7'. If your doors are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
East
We assume Windows are 3'x4'. If your windows are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
We assume French Doors are 3'x7'. Each half of a double door should be counted separately.
We assume Sliding Doors are 6'x7'. If your doors are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
South
We assume Windows are 3'x4'. If your windows are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
We assume French Doors are 3'x7'. Each half of a double door should be counted separately.
We assume Sliding Doors are 6'x7'. If your doors are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
West
We assume Windows are 3'x4'. If your windows are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
We assume French Doors are 3'x7'. Each half of a double door should be counted separately.
We assume Sliding Doors are 6'x7'. If your doors are larger or smaller, please adjust accordingly.
Garage Door Details
Each single garage door should be counted as 1 and each double garage door should be counted as 2.
Next: To Ceiling Details
Ceiling Details
Select 'Yes' if the ceiling separates your space from the outdoors, an attic, or any other unconditioned space. Otherwise, if there is another conditioned room above your space, select 'No'.
Enter the height of your ceiling. If you have a sloped, vaulted, or any other type of non-flat ceiling, enter the approximate average ceiling height.
Next: To Floor Details
Floor Details
Select 'Yes' if the floor separates your space from the outdoors, an unconditioned crawlspace or basment, or is a slab on grade. Otherwise, if your space is over a conditioned room, select 'No'.
Continue to Construction
Wall & Window Details
Garage Door Details
Ceiling Details
Floor Details
Previous
Submit & View Results
Basic Room & Home
Room Type
Room Size
ZIP Code
Building Age
Temperature
Edit
Avg. Outdoor Temp. High
°F
Avg. Outdoor Temp. Low
°F
Desired Indoor Cooling
°F
Desired Indoor Heating
°F
Walls
Edit
Wall Type
Wall Insulation Quality
North Wall Exposed Area
East Wall Exposed Area
South Wall Exposed Area
West Wall Exposed Area
Garage Door
Edit
# of Garage Doors
Garage Door Insulation Quality
Windows
Edit
Window Type
North Wall
East Wall
South Wall
West Wall
Ceiling
Edit
Ceiling Exposed
Ceiling Insulation Quality
Ceiling Type
Floor
Edit
Floor Exposed
Floor Insulation Quality
Floor Type
Load Results (BTU/hr)
Cooling load
Wall
Window
Ceiling
Floor
Bay
Infiltration
Internal
MRA ?
Moisture Removal Allowance: It is typical for roughly 30% of your air conditioner's capacity to be used to reduce the humidity in your home.
Total
Heating load
Wall
Window
Ceiling
Floor
Bay
Infiltration
Total
Print
Shop Mini Splits
Disclaimer: This sizing tool, although based on a version of the ACCA Manual J, is for informational use and is intended only as a guide to assist with finding the best product for your needs. Since the calculations are based on the information provided, Power Equipment Direct, Inc. assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies resulting from improperly sized equipment. For a complete, professional sizing estimate, please call us at 866-554-HEAT (4328).
+
Email My Results
Enter your email address to receive your mini split sizing results directly in your inbox.
Thank you! We will send your results shortly.
+
If you choose to start over, all of your entered information will be lost. Do you wish to continue?

 

Shop Mini Split Systems

 

How to Use the Mini Split Sizing Calculator

Our free mini split calculator tool will ask you for the information needed to produce a general sizing estimate. It provides recommended BTUs for one room at a time, so if you are considering a multi-zone application, you can fill out the calculator for each room and add your load requirements together.

Step 1: Basic Info
In step one, the calculator will ask you to fill out basic info about your room, including its size, age, and type (bedroom, kitchen, office, etc.). This information will set the general parameters of your application. For example, knowing your building age helps the calculator understand the quality of insulation inside your home.

When you complete “Step 1,” click “Calculate Load Estimates,” and you’ll have the option to skip straight to preliminary results or to continue filling out information in “Step 2.” We recommend providing more information to allow the calculator to produce a more accurate recommendation.

Step 2: Room Info
In “Step 2,” you’ll fill out more details about the room for which you’re sizing the mini split. First, set your desired indoor cooling and heating temperatures. Next, provide details about the number of windows and how exposed your walls, ceiling, and floor are. All this information is critical for the calculator to determine your room’s heat gain/loss and how many BTUs you need your mini split to provide.

Step 3: Construction
In the final step, you will expand on the information in “Step 2” regarding wall, window, ceiling, and floor details. You’ll provide information about your wall materials, floor construction, and ceiling shape. The purpose, again, is to help the calculator determine your heat gains/losses.

Step 4: Results
Once you’ve finished filling out the calculator steps (or if you skipped ahead in Step 1), you’ll be taken to your results page, which will display total load calculations and allow you to download, print, or email your results.

You’ll see both a cooling load estimate and a heating load estimate. If you click on the estimates or on “Shop Mini Splits” you’ll be navigated to a page listing out systems that fit those needs. Remember, these are good faith estimates that can help get you started in picking the right mini split, but they’re not a replacement for professional sizing. 

 

Why is Mini Split Sizing Important?

The size of a mini split refers to its capacity or ability to condition a given area usually measured in BTUs.

Getting the wrong capacity can be a costly mistake. Even though mini splits use efficient inverter technology, you'll still need to make sure it will be able to handle the load requirements based on factors like: size and construction of your room, outdoor temperature range, etc.

If the system is too small, you'll find yourself wasting energy while your unit runs continuously, all the while failing to keep you comfortable in extreme conditions. This lack of performance will leave you on the hunt, yet again, for a better solution.

If the system is too large, you'll spend more on equipment and throw any energy savings out the window. Oversized equipment will also fail prematurely due to short cycling (turning on and off frequently).

 

View Our Best Mini Splits

 

Mini Split Buyer's Guide Navigation
Home | Inverter Technology | Efficiency | Dehumidification | Heat Pumps vs A/C | Winterizing | Single-Zone vs Multi-Zone | How To Zone | Indoor Units | Accessories | Find an Installer | Mini Split Sizing Calculator | System Builder

Ken, the eComfort Product Expert
By 
Product Expert
Was this article helpful?