How to Pick the Perfect Mitsubishi Mini Split Multi Zone for Your Home

Keeping your home at the perfect temperature year-round isn’t easy if you’re relying on an outdated system. AC window units are noisy and inefficient, and space heaters can pose a serious safety hazard in the winter.

Ductless mini split units come in various styles, and many can heat and cool your home. Mitsubishi is a leading manufacturer of a vast range of electronics and more, and their ductless mini splits are an excellent addition to their product line.

The number of options available can seem overwhelming at first glance, but there’s science behind each of these systems that make some of them a better choice for you than others. Here’s what you need to know to pick the perfect Mitsubishi mini split multi zone for your home, even if you’re new to working with ductless systems.

Understanding Capacity

Heating and cooling units measure their capacity in British Thermal Units (BTUs), an uncommon unit of measurement in everyday life. Most product listings translate this into an approximate square footage capacity to better estimate the size you need.

As a rough guide, a basic 350 ft² space needs at least 9,000 BTUs to stay consistently comfortable. This may mean a small living room and a kitchen, or it can mean two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a hallway. A 1,500 ft² space needs at least 36,000 BTUs, which is too much for just one indoor unit to handle alone.

However, keep in mind that the exact number of BTUs you need partly depends on your home’s insulation, as well as the intensity of the temperatures outdoors. Even though ductless mini splits are highly efficient, older homes with poor insulation may need a little more power to maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature.

If the area you’re trying to heat or cool is at the high end of the square footage listed for a given model, consider upgrading to a larger Mitsubishi mini split model. That way, you’ll be prepared for extreme outdoor temperatures year-round.

Choosing an Outdoor Unit

The outdoor unit for your mini split is what gives the system its full cooling and heating power. Most homes only need one outdoor unit, although very large homes may find a second one helpful.

Your outdoor unit will need to have an overall capacity that supports all of the rooms that use the multi zone mini split system. Most outdoor units are compatible with various indoor units, but not necessarily with all of the indoor units made by a specific manufacturer.

Choosing Indoor Units

The goal of a multi zone unit is to customize the temperature in different areas of your home. Although it’s impractical to customize every room, you can at least create zones for living areas, the master bedroom, and the second floor. You can make up to eight zones if you have a very large home.

You need the estimated square footage of each area you are planning to designate as a zone. You may need to include height measurements for rooms with high, vaulted ceilings, such as living rooms. Kitchens may also need some extra BTUs to compensate for the heat produced by cooking appliances.

Keep in mind that your indoor units should ideally be on an outside wall as close to the outdoor unit as possible. Also, remember that open floor plans need to have one large zone, and even separated living rooms and kitchens may be difficult to maintain separate zones for. Although all of this seems like a lot to consider, you can take advantage of our handy guide to consider your options.

Basic features like timers, multiple fan modes, and remote controls are offered with almost all  Mitsubishi mini split systems. However, keep in mind that mini split systems are also available without heat pumps, which can save you money on many models, and they are ideal for warm climates.

Your Destination for Mini Splits

Navigating the choices available for Mitsubishi mini splits seems intimidating, especially since you can get up to eight zones in your system. However, the options are simple when you shop online and work with a licensed HVAC professional to complete installation in your home.