Mini Split Placement For Comfort, Efficiency & Aesthetics
An often-overlooked step when installing a ductless mini split is deciding on where to mount your air handlers and heat pump. You’ll want to strike a balance between your home’s decor and how your mini split placement will affect its performance and energy efficiency.
In this article, I’ll cover all the factors you need to consider when placing your indoor and outdoor units.
I’ve worked as a product manager for Peirce Phelps, a national HVAC distributor, for over a decade. I collaborate with dozens of HVAC installers in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to optimize home comfort, performance, and aesthetic appearance.
To learn more about how a ductless mini split system can improve your home’s heating and cooling without compromising its aesthetics, use the dealer locator to find a certified installer near you. They’ll provide a free consultation to address all your questions.
How And Where To Place A Mini Split Indoor Unit
Here’s how to consider visual appeal with performance when deciding where to place mini split indoor units:
Symmetry
Symmetry is key to installing indoor air handlers that are aesthetically pleasing while providing balanced circulation.
Position a wall-mounted indoor unit in the center of the room or above a piece of furniture to create a sense of harmony while ensuring equal air distribution
Easy Access
Install a unit at a comfortable height on a wall and in a place where you or a service tech can easily reach it.
You’ll need to clean the filter every month, and a tech may charge more if they need to do extra work to access a wall-mounted unit.
Space For Circulation
A high-wall mount should be 90 inches from the floor with six inches between it ans ceiling and five inches of clearance on either side.
This means avoiding placing the unit near obstacles like plants, wall decorations, or furniture that can obstruct airflow.
Mini Split Placement Factors To Consider
Here’s what to consider when placing the indoor units for a ductless heating and cooling system:
Layout
A large room or open-space floor plan may require a stronger unit or recessed ceiling cassette. And, any wall-mounted unit should be installed on an exterior wall so the lines can run directly outside and not across a wall.
Room Sizes
The size of a room plays a crucial role in determining the type and size of the mini split unit needed. Large rooms will require a more powerful system to maintain comfortable temperatures and humidity levels.
Windows and Insulation
Insulated rooms maintain temperature better than drafty ones. But, windows provide no insulation. So, keep your air handlers away from windows, where the air temperature can affect air distribution inside.
Tips For Mini Split Outdoor Unit Placement
Here are some tips to help you choose the best location for your mini split’s outdoor unit:
Distance From House
Place the heat pump, or outdoor mini split, at least a foot away from the house, but not much further than that. You want to keep the refrigerant lines as short as possible to maximize efficiency.
Nearby Obstacles
Keep the outdoor unit free from obstacles that may obstruct airflow, such as plants, trees, or walls. This prevents air or heat energy from getting trapped around the unit.
Covering And Protection
Don’t cover a heat pump directly, as it will inhibit airflow. But, you can place it near an awning or terrace, or under a deck,to protect it from the elements. Just make sure the fan faces away from the house with three feet of clearance.
Where Should You Not Install A Mini Split?
Here are situations to avoid when installing a mini split:
Outdoor Unit Above An Indoor Unit
The cooling process requires the air handler to be higher than the outdoor unit so moisture form the condensate line flows down and out of the house.
Areas Prone To Vibrations
Vibrations can cause pipes to rub against each other, leading to leaks, rattles or other problems. Other components may come loose or break from too much jostling.
In Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause a mini split to overheat. Keep indoor units away from where the sun shines in a room. Avoid installing the heat pump on the north side of your home if possible.
In Cramped or Covered Spaces
Cramped or covered spaces hinder proper airflow and reduce efficiency. Make sure each unit has the proper clearance.
Mini Split Placement FAQs
Here are some answers to a few more frequently-asked questions about mini split placement. If you’d like to learn more about installing a mini split in your home, schedule a free consultation with one of our certified dealers.
Can I run my mini split lines in the attic?
Running mini split lines in an attic is not ideal. Attics tend to get much hotter or colder than the rest of the house. This reduces your system’s efficiency because the temperature changes affect the refrigerant. The extreme temperature can also damage the copper tubing.
Can you put a mini split above a TV?
Although a wall-mounted air handler is quiet, mounting one above a TV is not a good idea. Sound vibrations can affect its performance by jostling the inner components. They can also possibly loosen the mounting brackets. The unit can damage the TV if it falls.
How far from the ceiling should a mini split be?
Mini splits should be installed at least six inches from the ceiling to ensure proper airflow and circulation. This way, the unit can distribute treated air throughout the room effectively. The unit should also be level to avoid any potential issues with condensate line drainage.
Mini Split Placement For Comfort, Efficiency & Aesthetics
An often-overlooked step when installing a ductless mini split is deciding on where to mount your air handlers and heat pump. You’ll want to strike a balance between your home’s decor and how your mini split placement will affect its performance and energy efficiency.
In this article, I’ll cover all the factors you need to consider when placing your indoor and outdoor units.
I’ve worked as a product manager for Peirce Phelps, a national HVAC distributor, for over a decade. I collaborate with dozens of HVAC installers in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to optimize home comfort, performance, and aesthetic appearance.
To learn more about how a ductless mini split system can improve your home’s heating and cooling without compromising its aesthetics, use the dealer locator to find a certified installer near you. They’ll provide a free consultation to address all your questions.
How And Where To Place A Mini Split Indoor Unit
Here’s how to consider visual appeal with performance when deciding where to place mini split indoor units:
Symmetry
Symmetry is key to installing indoor air handlers that are aesthetically pleasing while providing balanced circulation.
Position a wall-mounted indoor unit in the center of the room or above a piece of furniture to create a sense of harmony while ensuring equal air distribution
Easy Access
Install a unit at a comfortable height on a wall and in a place where you or a service tech can easily reach it.
You’ll need to clean the filter every month, and a tech may charge more if they need to do extra work to access a wall-mounted unit.
Space For Circulation
A high-wall mount should be 90 inches from the floor with six inches between it ans ceiling and five inches of clearance on either side.
This means avoiding placing the unit near obstacles like plants, wall decorations, or furniture that can obstruct airflow.
Mini Split Placement Factors To Consider
Here’s what to consider when placing the indoor units for a ductless heating and cooling system:
Layout
A large room or open-space floor plan may require a stronger unit or recessed ceiling cassette. And, any wall-mounted unit should be installed on an exterior wall so the lines can run directly outside and not across a wall.
Room Sizes
The size of a room plays a crucial role in determining the type and size of the mini split unit needed. Large rooms will require a more powerful system to maintain comfortable temperatures and humidity levels.
Windows and Insulation
Insulated rooms maintain temperature better than drafty ones. But, windows provide no insulation. So, keep your air handlers away from windows, where the air temperature can affect air distribution inside.
Tips For Mini Split Outdoor Unit Placement
Here are some tips to help you choose the best location for your mini split’s outdoor unit:
Distance From House
Place the heat pump, or outdoor mini split, at least a foot away from the house, but not much further than that. You want to keep the refrigerant lines as short as possible to maximize efficiency.
Nearby Obstacles
Keep the outdoor unit free from obstacles that may obstruct airflow, such as plants, trees, or walls. This prevents air or heat energy from getting trapped around the unit.
Covering And Protection
Don’t cover a heat pump directly, as it will inhibit airflow. But, you can place it near an awning or terrace, or under a deck, to protect it from the elements. Just make sure the fan faces away from the house with three feet of clearance.
Where Should You Not Install A Mini Split?
Here are situations to avoid when installing a mini split:
Outdoor Unit Above An Indoor Unit
The cooling process requires the air handler to be higher than the outdoor unit so moisture form the condensate line flows down and out of the house.
Areas Prone To Vibrations
Vibrations can cause pipes to rub against each other, leading to leaks, rattles or other problems. Other components may come loose or break from too much jostling.
In Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause a mini split to overheat. Keep indoor units away from where the sun shines in a room. Avoid installing the heat pump on the north side of your home if possible.
In Cramped or Covered Spaces
Cramped or covered spaces hinder proper airflow and reduce efficiency. Make sure each unit has the proper clearance.
Mini Split Placement FAQs
Here are some answers to a few more frequently-asked questions about mini split placement. If you’d like to learn more about installing a mini split in your home, schedule a free consultation with one of our certified dealers.
Can I run my mini split lines in the attic?
Running mini split lines in an attic is not ideal. Attics tend to get much hotter or colder than the rest of the house. This reduces your system’s efficiency because the temperature changes affect the refrigerant. The extreme temperature can also damage the copper tubing.
Can you put a mini split above a TV?
Although a wall-mounted air handler is quiet, mounting one above a TV is not a good idea. Sound vibrations can affect its performance by jostling the inner components. They can also possibly loosen the mounting brackets. The unit can damage the TV if it falls.
How far from the ceiling should a mini split be?
Mini splits should be installed at least six inches from the ceiling to ensure proper airflow and circulation. This way, the unit can distribute treated air throughout the room effectively. The unit should also be level to avoid any potential issues with condensate line drainage.