What does the BTU rating on a mini split mean and how does it apply in practice?

The acronym BTU stands for "British Thermal Unit." A BTU measures the amount of heat an air conditioning unit can extract from a room.

As the BTU rating increases, so do the size, weight, and cost of the air conditioning unit. In practice, this means that the size of the room or space you want to cool is directly related to the number of BTUs needed.

Guide to Selecting the Appropriate BTU Rating Based on Room Size:

- 9,000 BTU: Up to 400 square feet (37 square meters)
- 12,000 BTU: Up to 500 square feet (46 square meters)
- 18,000 BTU: Up to 750 square feet (70 square meters)
- 24,000 BTU: Up to 1,000 square feet (93 square meters)
- 36,000 BTU: Up to 1,500 square feet (139 square meters)

It's important to note that this is only a general guideline and the appropriate BTU rating for a given space may vary depending on factors such as ceiling height, number of windows, room orientation, and more.