Once you decide on a mini-split, you have a few more decisions to make. You’ll need to narrow in on the right capacity, choose your efficiency ratings, and decide which extra features you want. One of the biggest decisions you need to make is between floor, wall, or ceiling-mounted units.
To help you out, this post specifically looks at the differences between floor and wall-mounted ductless units. Here’s what you need to know.
Installation Location
Both wall and floor-mounted ductless units go on the wall. Despite their name, floor-mounted units aren’t recessed into your floor. Instead, they are mounted low on the wall, near the floor. Wall-mounted units are usually installed about three-quarters of the way up your wall.
Efficiency
Both wall and floor-mounted mini splits offer a lot of efficiency. They don’t use ductwork so you don’t have to worry about losing warm or cool air in the ducts. Additionally, they come with zone controls so you can customize the temperature setting of each unit. This allows you to reduce energy consumption in areas of your home that you aren’t using.
Although all ductless units are efficient, some are more efficient than others. Compare SEER and HSPF ratings to ensure you get the most efficient option for your home. With both of these ratings, you want the highest number possible.
Wall-mounted units tend to be slightly more efficient than floor-mounted units. This is simply due to their location on the wall. By being higher up, they provide a more even distribution of air. For that reason, most people only choose floor-mounted units if the design of their home requires them to do so.
Capacity and Features
With both types of units, you can choose from a range of capacities and features. To ensure you choose the optimal capacity, work with a certified HVAC technician. Whether you opt for a floor or wall-mounted unit, you can’t just consider the size of the room. You also need to consider the number of windows, insulation, and other factors that affect the temperature of your home.
Then, you get to choose from a variety of features such as built-in swing fans, occupant sensors, and other energy-saving features. Because wall-mounted units are more popular, they often offer more advanced features than floor-mounted units.
Installation Requirements
Generally, when people are trying to decide between floor vs. wall-mounted units, the choice boils down to installation requirements. For a wall-mounted unit, you need at least an eight-foot wall, and then, of course, you need space on the wall to install the unit. For optimal operation, there should be a few inches between the unit and the ceiling.
If you don’t have a high enough wall or if your wall can’t accommodate a wall-mounted unit, you may need to choose a floor-mounted design. This happens in attics with sloped walls or other rooms with half walls. If you’re trying to put a unit in a sunroom where the windows fill most of the walls, you may also need a floor mount.
Convenience
One significant drawback of a floor mount is that you will need to organize your furniture around it. For example, if you put your couch in front of a floor-mounted unit, it won’t be able to circulate the air through the room very effectively.
In contrast, a wall-mounted unit doesn’t get in the way of most furniture. You will have to consider the placement of wall-mounted TVs, art, bookshelves, and other items that are high on the wall, but in general, the wall mount doesn’t affect the position of most furnishings.
Contact Us to Get the Right Choice for Your Home
Making choices about HVAC equipment can be overwhelming, but luckily, you don’t have to do it on your own. We can help. At N.E.T.R., Inc, our technicians are very experienced, and they’ve completed expensive dealer training with the top ductless brands such as Mitsubishi and LG.
We can help you select and install the best equipment for your unique space. Trying to decide between a wall and a floor-mounted AC? Want guidance for other shopping decisions? Then contact us today. We’ll send a comfort consultant to your home to help you choose the best ductless HVAC equipment for your unique needs.
