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      Best mini-split for a sunroom

      Usually a 9,000 BTU mini-split for a medium sunroom of about 250 sq ft in a mixed climate. Glass walls let in a lot of heat in summer and lose a lot in winter. A sunroom needs much more capacity per square foot than an ordinary room.

      What size for a sunroom?

      Small sunroom ~150 sq ft

      Medium sunroom ~250 sq ft

      Large sunroom ~400 sq ft

      Assumes poor insulation and a 9 ft ceiling, typical for a sunroom.

      Best 9,000 BTU mini-splits for a sunroom

      What to look for

      Size it for your sunroom

      Pre-filled for a medium sunroom. Adjust the area and pick your city.

      Your space
      Your climate
      Mini-split size
      9,000 BTU
      Central / ducted size
      1.5 ton
      Cooling load
      9,400 BTU/h
      Heating load
      5,500 BTU/h

      See 9,000 BTU mini-splitsSee 1.5-ton central heat pumps

      Rule-of-thumb estimate: cooling follows the ENERGY STAR room sizing table, heating uses typical BTU per square foot for the climate (NOAA 1991-2020 heating degree days). For a whole-house system, ask your installer for a Manual J load calculation.

      More detail

      Top 5: best for hot summersRanked by EER2, the efficiency at 95°F
      #ModelSEER2EER2HSPF2COP at 5°F
      1Fujitsu AOUH09KTAP133.519.114.02.48
      2Fujitsu AOUH09KZAH133.118.813.32.26
      3Mitsubishi Electric MUZ-FX09NLHZalso sold as 1 other model number33.118.413.32.20
      4Hisense AO-09U3T25Palso sold as 1 other model number32.018.411.82.25
      5Hisense AS-09UW3TBW0032.018.411.82.25
      Top 5: most efficient overallHighest seasonal cooling efficiency (SEER2), then heating (HSPF2)
      #ModelSEER2EER2HSPF2COP at 5°F
      1Carrier 37MPRAQ09AA333.517.014.62.00
      2MDV MOX430-09HFN10-M1H33.517.014.62.00
      3Fujitsu AOUH09KTAP133.519.114.02.48
      4Mainline ML09HP230CALH-Oalso sold as 2 other model numbers33.317.014.62.00
      5Midea MO1SS-H09B-2Aalso sold as 10 other model numbers33.317.014.62.00
      Top 5: best for cold wintersCold-climate certified, ranked by efficiency at 5°F
      #ModelSEER2EER2HSPF2COP at 5°F
      1York YRACGJ09WHAAalso sold as 1 other model number23.015.011.42.57
      2AUX AFEB09HP115V1CO22.013.09.52.52
      3Fujitsu AOUH09KTAP133.519.114.02.48
      4American Standard / Mitsubishi Electric NAXSPH09B112A29.816.110.92.40
      5Mitsubishi Electric MUZ-FS09NAalso sold as 1 other model number29.816.110.92.40
      Running cost of a typical 9,000 BTU unit$202-$408/yr

      If used like living space all year; part-time use costs proportionally less.

      Questions3
      What size mini-split do I need for a sunroom?
      For a medium sunroom of about 250 sq ft, around 9,000 BTU in a mixed climate like Atlanta. Small sunroom: 9,000 BTU; Medium sunroom: 9,000 BTU; Large sunroom: 15,000 BTU. The table above shows how this changes in hot and very cold climates.
      How much does it cost to run a mini-split in a sunroom?
      A typical 9,000 BTU unit costs about $220 a year in Phoenix, $202 a year in Atlanta, $408 a year in Minneapolis if used like a living space all year. Part-time use costs proportionally less.
      What is the best mini-split for a sunroom?
      For a 9,000 BTU unit, the Fujitsu AOUH09KTAP1 ranks first on hot summers. The most efficient overall is the Carrier 37MPRAQ09AA3. All rankings use ENERGY STAR certified ratings.

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