Mini Split Single Zone - Ranch Home

5 years ago

Hello!

So we're currently getting some quotes for a mini-split system in our ranch home. Everything is separated (Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Hallway, 3 Bedrooms, Baths) thus separating everything a bit.

We prefer ceiling cassettes, which of course is more costly but the first company that's quoted us so far has suggested a single zone ceiling cassette in the living room (near the hallway / entry to dining room). It's an 18,000 BTU so it's capable of 700-1000 sq ft. He said by having this and using fans in the other rooms to push the hot air, we'd be able to cool the whole house effectively.

Can anyone tell me if this is true? We're concerned we'll still need our wall AC for the bedroom in the heat of summer, which really defeats the purpose of this system! He did also quote us 2 wall units for about $900 more (because there's no rebates) but if we can get away with the one ceiling one I just prefer that look.

We have 2 other companies coming out this week so we have price comparison but looking for some people's experiences with these that aren't trying to sell us on a system :)

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Comments (3)

User
5 years ago
I use a Mitsubishi minisplit for AC in New York. I have one wall unit on the far end of my home on the 1400 sq foot first floor. It does a reasonably acceptable job - however the far other end of the house is probably a degree or two hotter than the end which has the minisplit.

Fans on that far end do make it feel cooler, but I don't see where it actually lowers the temp in those far end rooms.

If your single unit is in the middle of the house, I can see where it may cool more evenly.

To state the obvious, it only works if you keep all the doors open too. :)
Briana Gosselin
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you! This is very helpful. A degree or two is not too bad all things considered. We currently only have 2 window ACs and our Kitchen or spare bedrooms are 10+ degrees hotter than the cooled rooms.
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Austin Air Companie
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
He said by having this and using fans in the other rooms to push the hot air, we'd be able to cool the whole house effectively. Can anyone tell me if this is true? We're concerned we'll still need our wall AC for the bedroom in the heat of summer, which really defeats the purpose of this system!

I grew up without air conditioning. Living in a suburb of Chicago an area not really known for hot summers we put box fans in the windows. There were times this was perfectly comfortable.

But the sleepless nights it was not comfortable? What is that worth?

This is why people want "real" air conditioning and not just a fan blowing things around.

The person chiming in is from NY area another area not known for being hot. The US climate varies from one location to another.

Comfort means different things to different people. What does it mean to you? What one thinks is comfortable another thinks it's too warm or too cold.

If all you have is a fan blowing things around: that doesn't spell comfort in 2021. Maybe 1970, not now. Besides all that mini splits however they are configured have drawbacks. The more equipment the more it costs to maintain, repair and eventually replace. If you don't maintain it I wouldn't expect it to last very long depending on the climate you live in an how much you operate it.

I service the Katy, Texas area.