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      What size heat pump do I need?

      Enter the area and a few details about your home. The calculator estimates the cooling and heating load for your climate and suggests a mini-split size in BTU and a central system size in tons.

      Your space
      Your climate
      Mini-split size
      30,000 BTU
      Central / ducted size
      2.5 ton
      Cooling load
      28,200 BTU/h
      Heating load
      22,500 BTU/h

      See 30,000 BTU mini-splitsSee 2.5-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.

      Mini-split size by room areaENERGY STAR table

      The ENERGY STAR cooling guideline for a room with average sun and two occupants. Colder climates may need more capacity for heating.

      Room areaCooling capacity
      100-150 sq ft5,000 BTU/h
      150-250 sq ft6,000 BTU/h
      250-300 sq ft7,000 BTU/h
      300-350 sq ft8,000 BTU/h
      350-400 sq ft9,000 BTU/h
      400-450 sq ft10,000 BTU/h
      450-550 sq ft12,000 BTU/h
      550-700 sq ft14,000 BTU/h
      700-1,000 sq ft18,000 BTU/h
      1,000-1,200 sq ft21,000 BTU/h
      1,200-1,400 sq ft23,000 BTU/h
      1,400-1,500 sq ft24,000 BTU/h
      1,500-2,000 sq ft30,000 BTU/h
      2,000-2,500 sq ft34,000 BTU/h

      Browse by size: 9,000 BTU · 12,000 BTU · 18,000 BTU · 24,000 BTU · 3 ton · 4 ton

      Questions4
      What size mini-split do I need for my room?
      As a starting point, about 20 BTU per square foot for cooling: 9,000 BTU for up to roughly 400 sq ft, 12,000 BTU for about 450-550 sq ft, 18,000 BTU for 700-1,000 sq ft. Add capacity for sunny rooms, kitchens, high ceilings and cold climates - the calculator does this for you.
      What size heat pump do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?
      Usually 2.5 to 4 tons. In a hot or mild climate a 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation needs about 30,000 BTU/h of cooling (2.5 tons); in a cold northern climate the heating load can reach 50,000-60,000 BTU/h, which calls for a larger or cold-climate unit. Enter your location to see the estimate for your climate.
      Is it bad to oversize a heat pump?
      Yes. An oversized unit short-cycles: it reaches the set temperature quickly, shuts off, and never runs long enough to remove humidity, which costs comfort and efficiency. Variable-speed units tolerate some oversizing, but it is better to size close to the calculated load.
      What is a Manual J calculation?
      Manual J is the ACCA standard method for calculating a home’s heating and cooling load, room by room, from insulation, windows, air leakage, orientation and local design temperatures. It is the reliable way to size a whole-house system; ask your installer for one.