How Many Amps Does A Mini Split Use? (2.3 To 27.3 Amps)

Amps matter. If you have a mini split and need to know how many amps they draw, you have a problem. It’s not all that easy to figure out exactly how many amps does a mini split use. We are going to show you how to answer questions like these quite easily

• “How many amps does a 12,000 BTU mini split use?”
• “How many amps does a 3-ton mini split use?

We have many different sizes of mini splits. Obviously, the amps they draw differ as well. Namely, a 12,000 BTU mini split (1-ton unit) will draw fewer amps than a 3-ton unit.

In general, we can say that mini splits draw anywhere between 2.3 amps and 27.3 amps. This is the smallest 6,000 BTU vs the biggest 6-ton mini split.

Here is are 3 ways how you can figure out how many amps does your mini split use (we will use the 3rd method for Mini Split Amps Calculator and chart below):

1. Just check the amps on the specification sheet. All mini split specs sheets listed rated amps under the ‘Electrical Requirements’ section. Of course, we usually misplace these specs sheets.
2. You can calculate the amps if you know the wattage and voltage. Here you use the basic electrical power equation: P = I×V; in unit terms, this is Amps = Watts / Volts. Example: You have a 2,000-watt mini split running on 220V voltage. Here is how to calculate the amps: 2,000W / 220V = 9.1 Amps. It’s rather hard to get the wattage, however.
3. You can calculate the amps if you know the cooling capacity (BTUs or tons). Here we will have to presume the EER rating to do this but you can easily calculate amps for 9,000 BTU, 12,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, 2-ton, 3-ton mini split and so on. Example: An average 3-ton mini splits on 220V circuit will draw about 13.6 amps.

Examples of mini splits and their amps, wattages, and EER ratings (do notice that the average EER rating is about 12):

1. Mitsubishi MZ-HM12NA mini split has a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU (1-ton unit). It runs on 1,210 watts on 220V and draws 5.5 amps. EER rating = 9.9.
2. Senville SENA-48HF-MOQ dual-zone mini split has a combined cooling capacity of 48,000 BTU (4-ton unit). It runs on 3,910 watts on 230V and draws 17 amps. EER rating = 12.3.
3. Mr Cool DIY 12k mini split has a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU (1-ton unit). It runs on 960 watts on 220V and draws 4.4 amps. EER rating = 12.5.
4. Carrier 40MBFQ24 Performance Series mini split has a cooling capacity of 24,000 BTU (2-ton unit). It runs on 2,090 watts on 230V and draws 9.1 amps. EER rating = 11.5.

To adequately answer how many amps does this or that mini split draw, can use a 12 EER rating as the guideline. Namely, EER rating is defined as:

EER Rating = BTU Output / Wattage

As you can see, we have wattage there. From wattage, we can calculate the amps using the basic electrical power equation:

I = P / V or (in units) Amps = Watts / Voltage

Because most mini splits operate on a 220V circuit, we have the voltage. Based on this principle, we can calculate how many amps do different sizes of mini splits use:

Mini Split Amp Draw Calculator

Here are two calculators. In the 1st one, you can insert mini split BTUs and the calculator will give you an estimate of how many amps does a mini split use. In the 2nd, you can insert mini split tons (Example: 2 tons), and you will get the amps.

In both calculators, we presume you are using a 220V circuit and 12 EER rated mini split:

Here is the 2nd Calculator where you start with the mini split tonnage:

Basically, you just input BTU or tons, and you will get the amps such a mini split draws. To help you out, we have calculate how many amps different BTU and different ton mini splits draw:

Mini Split Amp Draw Chart (For BTUs)

Example: One of the most common questions is how many amps does a 12,000 BTU mini split operates at. We can see from the chart that 12,000 BTU mini split draws an estimated 4.5 amps.

Mini Split Amp Draw Chart (For Tonnage)

Example: Let’s say we want to find out how many amps does a 3-ton mini split uses. Just check the table and you will see that a 3-ton mini split uses an estimated 13.6 amps.

Using the calculators and the charts, you will likely be able to estimate what amount of amps does your mini split operates on. If you can’t find the answer here, you can use the comment section below, describe your mini split a bit, and we’ll try to help you out.

Thank you.