A 12,000 BTU (1 ton) mini split cools about 520 sq ft of an average house in a mixed climate, around 430 sq ft in a hot one and 620 sq ft in a cold one, with 8 ft ceilings. That area has to be one open space: a mini split head cannot cool the room next door.
About 23 BTU per square foot for cooling and 34 for heating in a mixed climate such as Washington DC or St Louis, for an average house with 8 ft ceilings. Cooling runs from about 35 in the hottest zone to 15 in the coldest; heating runs the other way, from about 20 to 60.
One zone, meaning one indoor head, for every room you want heated or cooled that can be closed off, because a head only reaches the space it blows into. A three-bedroom house in a mixed climate usually needs 5 heads, one each for the bedrooms, living room and kitchen, on an outdoor unit of about 30,000 BTU.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a 12000 BTU mini split cool?
A 12,000 BTU (1 ton) mini split cools about 520 sq ft of an average house in a mixed climate, around 430 sq ft in a hot one and 620 sq ft in a cold one, with 8 ft ceilings. That area has to be one open space: a mini split head cannot cool the room next door.
How many BTU per square foot do I need?
About 23 BTU per square foot for cooling and 34 for heating in a mixed climate such as Washington DC or St Louis, for an average house with 8 ft ceilings. Cooling runs from about 35 in the hottest zone to 15 in the coldest; heating runs the other way, from about 20 to 60.
How many mini split zones do I need?
One zone, meaning one indoor head, for every room you want heated or cooled that can be closed off, because a head only reaches the space it blows into. A three-bedroom house in a mixed climate usually needs 5 heads, one each for the bedrooms, living room and kitchen, on an outdoor unit of about 30,000 BTU.
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