How to Zone a Larger Home with Ductless HVAC

Ductless HVAC isn’t just great for small spaces – you can install mini-splits in larger homes as well to create individual temperature zones. Each of these areas can be controlled separately from one another, so you can customize your comfort based on how you use the space.

Learn more about heat pump zoning below and how N.E.T.R., Inc. can help you get the reliable heating and cooling you need in every season for less. 

Choose the Right Ductless System

With an expansive home, you’ll need to choose a system that can handle the heating and cooling needs of each zone. This is generally done by measuring the space and accounting for factors like insulation and drafts to calculate how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) a system will need to have.

You may also want to choose units that incorporate smart technology that allows you to control each of your units remotely from your mobile phone.

Decide How Many Units You’ll Need

Big houses tend to need several ductless units to heat and cool every space. Depending on how large your home is, you may only need one outdoor condenser since it can accommodate up to 8 indoor air handlers.

However, it’s possible that you will need two outdoor units if you have more than 8 zones that you want to create. For example, if you have a 7 bedroom home with a den, you might need 10 air handlers – one for each bedroom, one for the den and living space, and one for the kitchen.

In a case like this, your HVAC technician will likely connect half the indoor cassettes to one condenser and the other half to the second unit.

Address Your Electrical System If Needed

If you have an older house or your electric panel is small, you may need a replacement in order to accommodate multiple new ductless units. At N.E.T.R., Inc. we can help with both. When our technician comes to your home, we’ll assess your panel to make sure it can handle the increased power load. If not, we’ll go over what your electrical system needs first and create a step-by-step plan of action.

Determine the Placement of Each Indoor Unit 

Next, you’ll need to figure out the placement of each indoor air handler within its zone. Most homeowners have wall-mounted mini-splits, but you can also choose floor or ceiling mounts depending on your needs and the configuration of your space. Some rooms can even have wall-mounted units while others have a different setup.

Typically, you’ll want to place each mini-split in the center of the zone, away from any doors or windows that might create drafts. This can change the temperature your ductless system senses, which will throw off its heating and cooling output.

Determine the Placement of Your Outdoor Condensers

Your ductless system’s outdoor condensers should be placed on a flat, hard surface like concrete or bricks to keep it stable during operation. It’s also important to make sure it’s not under any trees where leaves and sap can fall. Make sure there aren’t any large objects within 3 to 4 feet of all sides of your condenser and if you have two or more units, make sure they are far enough away from one another that they can’t impact each other’s air flow.

However, it’s key to keep the distance between the indoor and outdoor units as short as possible to optimize the circulation of refrigerant. Ideally, each indoor unit should be no more than 15 meters away from its corresponding outdoor unit.

Get In Touch With a Qualified Boston Heating and Cooling Expert at N.E.T.R., Inc. Today 

If you have a large home and are interested in upgrading to ductless HVAC, we can help. N.E.T.R., Inc.’s experienced Mitsubishi Electric Elite Diamond contractors will come to your house to conduct an installation and cost assessment so you know exactly how much to budget for your new system. Plus, we can help you with Mass Save rebates, which can save you thousands on a new mini-split installation.

Contact us today to learn more about ductless for large homes or to schedule your quote by calling (781) 933-6387.