How much power does a MRCOOL mini split unit use?

Mini split heating and cooling systems (sometimes called ductless heat pumps) can be an energy-efficient option for heating and cooling specific areas in a home or business without extensive ductwork. MRCOOL is a popular brand of ductless mini split system that consists of an outdoor condensing unit and one or more indoor air handling units that are connected by refrigerant lines. This gives the user flexibility in placing the indoor units.

Mini splits that provide heating and cooling can potentially save you a lot of money compared to separate AC and furnace systems. Their targeted focus can also help reduce energy waste in unused or unoccupied rooms.

If you’re interested in MRCOOL units and are thinking about installing one, it’s best to learn how much power they consume so you can plan your electrical setup accordingly.

Let’s look at the key factors that determine how much power a MRCOOL mini split draws and compare its energy usage to other types of HVAC systems.

If you need any replacement parts for your air conditioner, you can use your model number to find what you’re looking for at AppliancePartsPros.com. We also have thousands of free DIY troubleshooting and repair guides to help you fix your air conditioner yourself.

Factors that affect the power consumption of MRCOOL mini splits

The wattage and amperage draw of a MRCOOL mini split depends on the following:

British Thermal Unit (BTU) capacity

The higher the BTU rating, the more powerful the unit is at heating and cooling and the more energy it’ll use. MRCOOL offers mini splits ranging from 9,000 to 36,000 BTUs.

Model type

Energy use can vary slightly between model lines like the DIY, Do-It-For-Me, and Signature series.

Outside temperatures

Colder external temperatures in the winter or hotter external temperatures in the summer can make the unit work harder and longer, which can increase the amount of power it uses.

Average wattage use of MRCOOL mini splits

Here are the typical wattage ranges for MRCOOL mini splits by BTU capacity:

9,000 BTUs = 800-900 watts

12,000 BTUs = 1,000-1,200 watts

18,000 BTUs = 1,500-1,800 watts

24,000 BTUs = 2,000-2,400 watts

Here are the amperage draws:

9,000 BTUs = 7-8 amps

12,000 BTUs = 8-10 amps

18,000 BTUs = 12-15 amps

24,000 BTUs = 16-20 amps

For example, if you find out that an 18,000 BTU MRCOOL mini split unit runs at about 1,500-1,800 watts and pulls 12-15 amps, you’ll get a sense of what type of circuit it needs to work the best in your space.

Mini split power use vs. other heating & cooling systems

Compared to other types of cooling and heating equipment, MRCOOL mini splits are relatively energy efficient for their capacity, considering that:

• Central air conditioners are rated by tonnage rather than BTUs, but a typical 3-ton (36,000 BTU) central AC unit consumes around 3,500-5,000 watts.
• Window air conditioners in the 18,000 BTU range often use 1,400-1,850 watts.
• Electric heaters can use anywhere from 750 watts (small) up to 4,500+ watts (large 240V hardwired heater).
• Gas furnaces consume no electricity directly, but the fan and igniter circuits draw some power, which is much less than electric heating.

MRCOOL mini splits tend to fall somewhere in the middle as they provide more focused heating and cooling than central systems without the energy intensity of electric resistance heating.

Energy efficiency of MRCOOL mini splits

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures how efficiently an AC unit can cool over an entire season. MRCOOL mini splits can achieve SEER ratings from 19 to 21, which are higher than the 14 SEER minimum set by the Department of Energy.

The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures heating efficiency in the same way. MRCOOL mini splits can reach 8.5 to 10 HSPF, compared to electric furnaces which must meet a minimum HSPF of 6.8.

Many MRCOOL models also carry Energy Star Most Efficient certification, which recognizes them as the top performers in their category.

How to calculate energy cost

You can get an idea of the annual operating cost of a MRCOOL mini split by using its wattage ratings and:

• Estimate the unit’s average daily runtime per heating and cooling season (account for your climate and usage patterns)
• Multiply by the wattage range for your model’s BTU capacity
• Multiply by your electric utility rate per kWh (check your latest bill for the average)
• Add heating and cooling season totals for the approximate yearly cost

As an example, a 12,000 BTU unit in a temperate climate might average 4 hours of cooling per day for 120 days per year (480 hours) plus 3 hours of heating per day for 90 days (270 hours).

480 hours x 1,100 Watts = 528 kWh

270 hours x 1,100 Watts = 297 kWh

Total kWh = 825

At a rate of $0.12 per kWh, the annual cost would be:

$0.12 x 825 = $99 per year

Your costs may vary, but this should give you a starting point to compare units.

More information

Thanks for stopping by! We hope this guide helped you learn more about the power use and energy efficiency of MRCOOL mini split units.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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