MRCOOL® Universal 4 - 5 Ton 18 SEER Central Heat Pump Split System - Upflow/Horizontal - MDU18048060

Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Size BTU HVAC System

If you’re new to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, selecting the right size BTU (British Thermal Unit) system can seem daunting. This guide will break down the process into simple steps.

1. What is BTU?

• Definition: BTU measures the amount of energy needed to heat or cool a space. More BTUs mean more heating or cooling power.

2. Why Size Matters

• An undersized system will struggle to heat or cool your home, leading to discomfort.
• An oversized system will cycle on and off too frequently, wasting energy and causing wear and tear.

3. Measure Your Space

• Find Your Square Footage:
  • Measure the length and width of each room.
  • Multiply the length by the width for each room, then add them up for the total square footage.
• Example:
  • Living Room: 15 ft x 20 ft = 300 sq. ft.
  • Bedroom: 10 ft x 12 ft = 120 sq. ft.
  • Total = 300 + 120 = 420 sq. ft.

4. General BTU Guidelines

• A rough estimate is 20 BTUs per square foot.
• Example: For 420 sq. ft.: 420 sq. ft. × 20 BTUs/sq. ft. = 8,400 BTUs 

5. Adjusting BTU Calculations Based on Specific Factors

When determining the right BTU size for your HVAC system, it's important to consider various factors that can affect your heating and cooling needs. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

- Ceiling Height

• Standard Ceiling (8 feet): The basic BTU calculation (20 BTUs per square foot) works well.
• Higher Ceilings: For ceilings taller than 8 feet, you’ll need to increase the BTU calculation. A common rule of thumb is to add about 10% for each additional foot of height.
  • Example: If you have a 10-foot ceiling in a 400 sq. ft. room:
    • Base BTUs: $400 \times 20 = 8,000$
    • Increase for height: $8,000 \times 10\% = 800$
    • Total BTUs Needed: $8,800$

- Insulation Quality

• Well-Insulated Homes: If your home has good insulation, you can stick with the basic BTU calculation.
• Average Insulation: If your home has average insulation, consider adding 10% to your BTU needs.
• Poor Insulation: For homes with poor insulation, you may need to add 20% or more. Check for drafts, gaps, or insufficient insulation in walls and attics.
  • Example: If your calculated BTUs are 10,000 and you have poor insulation:
    • Increase by 20%: $10,000 \times 20\% = 2,000$
    • Total BTUs Needed: $12,000$

- Windows

• Standard Windows: If you have standard double-pane windows, the basic BTU estimate should suffice.
• Large or Single-Pane Windows: If you have large windows or single-pane windows (which are less efficient), add extra BTUs:
  • For each large window, add 500-1,000 BTUs.
  • For single-pane windows, consider adding 10-20% to your BTU needs.
  • Example: If your home requires 10,000 BTUs and you have two large windows:
    • Add 1,000 BTUs per window: $2 \times 1,000 = 2,000$
    • Total BTUs Needed: $12,000$

- Climate Zone

• Hot Climates: If you live in a region with extreme heat, consider increasing your BTUs by 10-20%.
• Cold Climates: In very cold areas, you might also need to add 10-20% for heating.
• Mild Climates: For areas with mild weather, the basic calculation should suffice.
  • Example: If your calculated BTUs are 10,000 and you live in a hot climate:
    • Increase by 15%: $10,000 \times 15\% = 1,500$
    • Total BTUs Needed: $11,500$

- Occupancy

• General Rule: Each additional person beyond the first two generates about 600 BTUs of heat.
• Frequent Guests or Large Families: If you regularly have guests or a large family, factor in the additional heat.
  • Example: If your home is sized for 10,000 BTUs and you expect 4 additional occupants:
    • Add $3 \times 600 = 1,800$ BTUs.
    • Total BTUs Needed: $11,800$

6. Consult Professionals

• It’s a good idea to consult an HVAC professional for an accurate assessment. They can perform a detailed analysis (often called a Manual J calculation) to determine the exact BTUs needed based on your home’s specifics.

We've also left a chart below to help you determine the right size BTU for your home or business using the above guide.

Thank you for visiting and shopping at Mini Split Systems Direct. Following are the terms and conditions that constitute our Shipping Policy.

Domestic Shipping Policy

Shipment processing time

All orders made before 2:00 PM EST are processed within 2-3 business days. Items ordered on weekends (Saturday or Sunday) start to process and ship as early as the following business day.

If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. Please allow additional days in transit for delivery. If there will be a significant delay in shipment of your order, we will contact you via email or telephone.

Shipping rates & delivery estimates

We offer standard free shipping via UPS Ground, FedEx Ground, and Freight for all orders in the United States. We do not currently ship to international locations. 

Delivery delays can occasionally occur.

Shipment confirmation & Order tracking

You will receive a Shipment Confirmation email once your order has shipped containing your tracking number(s). The tracking number will be active within 24 hours.

Customs, Duties and Taxes

Mini Split Systems Direct is not responsible for any customs and taxes applied to your order. All fees imposed during or after shipping are the responsibility of the customer (tariffs, taxes, etc.).

Damages & Missing Items

Please inspect all packages for damaged or missing items before accepting your shipment. If any of the items are missing or appear to have any type of damage; Mark the Receipt Damaged and/or missing (write which items are missing, or damaged and describe the damage).

Only refuse the items that are damaged, keep and sign for the items that are in good condition and be sure to notate the items that are being refused for damages clearly on the delivery receipt. You must contact our Customer Service Department at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com to report which product(s) were missing and/or refused for damages and which product(s) were accepted at the time of delivery. After our Shipping Department receives confirmation from the Freight LTL Company we will promptly ship out the replacement product(s) to you.

Although Mini Split Systems Direct is NOT responsible for shipping damage, if your item(s) do arrive damaged, please send photos to info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com  and we can assist with filing a claim against the shipping carrier to cover the cost of damages.

Any damages or missing items have to be noted on the delivery receipt prior to signing for and accepting your shipment in order to file a claim. Do not let the delivery driver rush you. It is your right to inspect each and every item.

Pre-Orders, Backorders, and Out-of-Stock Items:

Mini Split Systems Direct is dedicated to sourcing any item you may need and getting it to you as quickly as possible. Any items that are out of stock, or available for Pre-Order will be noted on the product page. You are welcome to place an order for Pre-Order items, backorder items, and for items that are out of stock, and will ship them the second they become available from the manufacturer, ensuring you get the item before anyone else. If you have questions about lead times, please refer to the product page or contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com or give a call or text at 1-800-315-4345

Returns

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unused and in its original packaging.

All returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee, and the purchaser is responsible for the cost of return shipping.

To start a return, you can contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com or call us at 1-800-315-4345. If your return is accepted, we will either schedule a pickup or send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back without first requesting a return will not be accepted.

You can always contact us for any return questions at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com, or call us at 1-800-315-4345.

Refunds

We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. A 15% restocking fee and the cost of return shipping will be deducted from the refund. Please allow up to 10 business days for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund to your account. If you have any questions regarding your refund, please contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com or call us at 1-800-315-4345.

Cancellations

All orders canceled after 24 hours are subject to a 5% administration fee, If your order has not been shipped yet, this is the only fee you will incur. This is a fee that covers administrative and personnel fees.

If your order has been shipped, you will not be charged a 5% administration fee, the standard return procedures will apply and you will be responsible for the cost of return shipping, and a 15% restocking fee will be ducted from your refund. Refunds will only be issued to the original payment method that you used when placing your order.

Damages and issues

Please inspect all packages for damaged or missing items before accepting your shipment. If any of the items are missing or appear to have any type of damage; Mark the Receipt Damaged and/or missing (write which items are missing, or damaged and describe the damage).

Only refuse the items that are damaged, keep and sign for the items that are in good condition and be sure to notate the items that are being refused for damages clearly on the delivery receipt. You must contact our Customer Service Department at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com to report which product(s) were missing and/or refused for damages and which product(s) were accepted at the time of delivery. After our Shipping Department receives confirmation from the Freight LTL Company we will promptly ship out the replacement product(s) to you.

Although Mini Split Systems Direct is NOT responsible for shipping damage, if your item(s) do arrive damaged, please send photos to info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com  and we can assist with filing a claim against the shipping carrier to cover the cost of damages.

Any damages or missing items have to be noted on the delivery receipt prior to signing for and accepting your shipment in order to file a claim. Do not let the delivery driver rush you. It is your right to inspect each and every item. 

Exchanges

The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have (see return process above), and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.

Our goal is to consistently provide the best pricing in the marketplace online and we work very diligently to do so. If you happen to see another online shop that offers a lower price than us within six months of your date please let us know and we’ll be happy to refund the difference on your original payment method. Moreover, because we are consistently working with our suppliers to get better rates we know that you can feel very comfortable and confident that you are seeing the best prices that can be provided for the products listed on our site.

Moving forward if you find the same item that we carry on another website that has a lower price please submit that to us within six months of your purchase date and we will refund you the difference.

If it is a case of seeing a lower price on another website and we need to send a partial refund simply email us the link to the exact product and brand from our site and also the link from our competitors site so we can inspect the pricing. Again this needs to be within six months from the date of your order and we will review your submission and apply a credit if necessary.

Our Price Match Policy has some limitations:

• The item must have already been purchased from our site prior to asking for this to be reviewed and submitted.

• This does not include rebate programs or specific retailer programs such as buy three get one free type offers or any combination such as that are not eligible.

• The item will need to be in stock from the competitors site that you’re submitting the information from.

• The competitor must be an online store, they may not have a retail location, warehouse, showroom, or physical location.

• The website cannot be a wholesaler, liquidator, distributor, or auction website. Examples are eBay, Liquadation.com, Via Trading, Overstock, Wayfair, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

• The competitor must also be someone who has been authorized by the supplier and/or manufacturer to resell the product you are inquiring about.

• The price match will include the product listing price, but will exclude any sales tax.

Can I add a discount code to my order post-purchase?

Unfortunately were unable to add a discount code to your order after you've checked out, but, were happy to provide you with discount for your next purchase.

Can I add items to my order?

Yes, please contact us a soon as possible if you need to make changes to your order and will send an invoice for the remaining amount due. Please note this may result in you receiving your order in multiple packages, and yes, you will receive a tracking number for each package.

Can I change or modify my order?

Yes, you can change or modify your order within the first 24 hours after placing your order, after that, it will depend on the status of your order. If you need to change or modify your order, please contact us as soon as possible at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com. If your order has already been processed and shipped, then we may be unable to change or modify your order.

Can I place my order to be delivered outside the United States?

At this time we do not ship internationally, but please contact us we may be able to accommodate you.

How can I remove items from my order?

If you need to remove items from your order, please contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com within the first 24 hours after you placed your order. After 24 hours, you are subject to a 5% fee for the item that is cancelled to cover incurred credit card processing fees. If your order has not been shipped yet, this is the only fee you will incur.

If your order has been shipped, you will not be charged a 5% administration fee, the standard return procedures will apply and you will be responsible for the cost of return shipping, and a 15% restocking fee will be ducted from your refund. Refunds will only be issued to the original payment method that you used when placing your order. For more information, please see our return & refund policy here.

Do all the products you carry come with a warranty?

Yes, every product we carry includes a manufacturer warranty. If you need help with a warranty claim, please contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com and will help you resolve any issues you are experiencing with your product.

Do you have a storefront?

At this time we do not have a storefront, we're an online only Authorized Dealer for all the brand we carry. We do have plans to open a storefront in the future.

How do I check the status of my order?

After placing your order you'll receive a confirmation email, and after a Shipment Confirmation email once your order has shipped which will contain your tracking number(s). The tracking number will be active within 24 hours. If you have any other questions regarding the status of your order please contact us at  info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com or message us by live chat.

How long is shipping and delivery?

All orders made before 2:00 PM EST are processed within 2 - 3 business days. Items ordered on weekends (Saturday or Sunday) start to process and ship as early as the following business day. Estimated delivery time is 3 - 7 days.

If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. Please allow additional days in transit for delivery. If there will be a significant delay in shipment of your order, we will contact you via email or telephone.

Who do you ship with?

We offer standard free shipping via UPS Ground, FedEx Ground, and Freight for all orders in the United States.

How long will it take to receive my refund?

Please allow up to 10 business days for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund to your account. If you have any questions regarding your refund, please contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com or call us at 1-800-315-4345.

What is your return policy?

We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unused and in its original packaging.

All returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee, and the purchaser is responsible for the cost of return shipping.

To start a return, you can contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com or call us at 1-800-315-4345. If your return is accepted, we will either schedule a pickup or send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back without first requesting a return will not be accepted. Please see our full return & refund policy here.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept all credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and you can pay in installments with Sezzle at checkout.

What should I do if my order is damaged or I'm missing items?

Please contact us within 48 hours of receiving your order at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com and we'll resolve the issue ASAP.

What should I do if my order was marked as delivered but I haven't received it?

Although we cannot control what happens once your order leaves the warehouse and is in the hands of the shipping carrier, we will do everything we can to make sure you receive your order. If you have not received your order, please contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com with your order number, and provide us with any details that may help and rest assured, we will resolve the issue.

I’m having trouble tracking my order. What should I do?

If your order has just been shipped, please wait 24 hours for your tracking number to be updated properly with your latest tracking information. If after 24 hours your tracking information is not populating, please contact us at info@minisplitsystemsdirect.com and we will be more than happy to assist you.