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Last Revised: 1/23/2025
Mini split heating and cooling systems are becoming more commonplace among homeowners. Learn how to begin planning for your home’s mini split head installation.
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The versatility and efficiency of mini splits have made them an attractive home heating and cooling option, however many people have questions about how to get started with this new HVAC system.
One of the most common mini split questions relates to just how many indoor heads, also called air handlers, you’ll need to sufficiently maintain a comfortable home environment.
This question is more than just a matter of convenience; it involves aspects of efficiency, cost, and most importantly, the specific heating and cooling needs of your home.
The team of HVAC professionals at Mattioni have been at the forefront of helping homeowners understand this new heating and cooling option. We’ve worked with countless people to determine the correct number of indoor heads to install with their mini split system.
Taking some time before you make any mini split installation decisions to understand the significance of your indoor head configuration is essential for optimizing your home’s comfort.
In this article, we’ll provide you with all you need to know to answer the question “do you need a head installed in every room?”
How Many Heads Does Your Home Need?
If you don’t already know, heads are the indoor component of a mini split system responsible for distributing conditioned air throughout each designated space, or zone, within your home.
The number of heads needed for your home is determined by the number of rooms and layout of your home, things largely out of your control.
So, the answer to this mini split FAQ is yes, you’ll need a head installed in each room that’s divided by a door (except your bathrooms) that needs heating and cooling. This means each bedroom will need its own indoor unit.
Additionally, areas of your home such as offices, basements and any other room that’s sealed off from the general airflow of your home with a door will each need its own head, as these areas won’t have enough access for air to mix with the rest of your home.
Neglecting to install a head in a room will cut this area off from the mini split system, meaning the only heating and cooling it will get will be from the minimal amount of airflow mixing with the rest of your home.
There are, however, some considerations about the qualities of your home’s interior that should be taken into account when planning your air handler configuration.
For instance, if you have an open-concept first floor in which the kitchen, dining room, and living room flow freely between each other without any walls or other hindrances, this area may be sufficiently served by one head.
Are There Other Ways to Limit the Number of Heads Your Home Needs?
You’ll have a few different mounting options for your indoor heads, including wall mounts, ceiling mounts and floor mounts.
But there’s one less common option that can reduce how many heads you’ll need in your home: the slim-ducted mini split.
While most mini splits are ductless, a ducted system will let you install one or two air handlers where there would otherwise be four or five. They’re typically housed in your attic, which can then facilitate airflow via ductwork to multiple rooms that would otherwise need their own head.
In these systems, the blower motor in the attic-mounted head delivers conditioned air directly to vents in multiple rooms.
From a performance perspective, there isn’t a drop-off in heating and cooling capability, meaning slim-ducted mini splits can be considered a viable option to reduce the number of heads in your home.
Slim-ducted mini splits do require a more extensive and costlier installation process, especially if your home doesn’t have ductwork to begin with. This may partially offset the cost savings of reducing the number of heads, so be sure to take any questions about this option to an HVAC professional before moving forward with this system.
Planning Your Home’s Mini Split Head Configuration
When it comes to the question “do you need an indoor head in every room?” the answer remains: yes. Each room that requires heating and cooling will need a head to be comfortable.
When planning your mini split installation, it’s ultimately necessary to consult with a professional to ensure that you find the perfect number of heads for your home.
An in-home consultation with an HVAC expert will help you get set up with the right number of indoor heads without overpaying on installation costs.
You can, however, get a rough idea of how many you’ll need on your own by scouting your home for individual zones that are separated by doors.
Remember that open layout floors, such as a first floor with a kitchen, dining room and living room, may be sufficiently treated with one head.
For any questions about mini split installations, reach out to the friendly team at Mattioni by calling (610) 400-8510 or schedule an in-home consultation with one of our HVAC professionals online today.
