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Can You Add More Zones to an Existing MRCOOL System Later?

So you installed a MRCOOL multi-zone system a year or two ago, and now you're thinking about finishing that bonus room over the garage or finally doing something with the basement. The big question: can you just add another zone to your existing system?

The good news: Yes, you absolutely can - as long as you have unused ports on your outdoor unit and people do it all the time.

And even if you don't, you've still got some solid options that aren't nearly as bad as you might think.

If You Planned Ahead, You're Golden

Here's the best-case scenario: you bought a multi-zone outdoor unit with more capacity than you initially needed, and you've got empty ports just waiting to be used.

MRCOOL makes several multi-zone outdoor units:

18,000 BTU (3-zone capable)
27,000 BTU (4-zone capable)
36,000 BTU (5-zone capable)
48,000 BTU (6-zone capable)
55,000 BTU (6-zone capable)

If you bought, say, the 36,000 BTU 5-zone unit but only installed 3 indoor units at first - congratulations! You've got room to grow. Same deal if you went with the 27,000 BTU 4-zone system but only hooked up 2 or 3 zones initially.

Adding That Extra Zone is Actually Pretty Straightforward

When you're ready to expand, here's all you need to do:

Run new pre-charged line sets from the outdoor unit to your new indoor unit location
Connect them to the unused port on your outdoor unit (just like you did with the first zones)
Run the control wiring for the new zone
Configure the system to recognize the additional zone

It's basically the same process you already went through when you installed the system the first time. If you did it once, you can definitely do it again. And since you already know your way around MRCOOL installations, this one will probably go even smoother.

Even If You Maxed Out Your System, You've Got Options

Okay, so what if you bought the 18,000 BTU 3-zone unit and used all 3 ports? Or got the 27,000 BTU 4-zone and connected all 4 indoor units?

The outdoor unit can't handle additional zones beyond what it was designed for - those ports are it. But here's why that's actually not a big deal:

Just Add a Second System (It's Easier Than You Think!)

The most practical solution is to install another MRCOOL system for your new space. And honestly, this approach has some real advantages:

It's actually pretty affordable: MRCOOL's single-zone DIY systems are reasonably priced, especially compared to paying an HVAC contractor. You already know how to install these things, so you're just buying the equipment.

You get redundancy: If one outdoor unit ever needs service or has an issue, you don't lose climate control to your entire house. Your other system keeps running. That's actually a huge benefit.

Better control and flexibility: Two independent systems mean you can run them on different schedules, different temperatures, whatever works best for each area of your house.

Less strain on each system: Two systems sharing the load often run more efficiently than one giant system working at max capacity all the time.

Simpler troubleshooting: If something goes wrong, you know exactly which system has the problem. Everything's isolated and easier to diagnose.

Two Outdoor Units? Not a Problem

I know what you're thinking - "But I'll have two outdoor units sitting outside my house!"

Here's the thing, once they're mounted and you've been living with them for a week, you literally forget they're there. Plenty of homes have multiple mini-split systems. It's totally normal, and it actually makes a lot of sense for how people expand their homes over time.

Plus, MRCOOL's outdoor units are pretty compact. Mounting a second one nearby isn't a big aesthetic issue.

The Smart Move: Think Ahead When You First Buy

Now, if you're reading this and you haven't bought your MRCOOL system yet - this is valuable intel for you.

Go bigger than you think you need. Seriously.

Take a minute and think about every space you might want to heat or cool in the next 5-10 years:

That unfinished basement
The garage you keep saying you'll convert to a workshop or gym
The bonus room over the garage
A future sunroom or screened porch
That detached shed or she-shed you've been planning

If there's even a decent chance you'll want climate control in any of those spaces, buy the multi-zone unit with extra capacity NOW. Yes, the 36,000 BTU 5-zone costs more than the 27,000 BTU 4-zone upfront. But it's way, way cheaper than buying an entire second system later.

You can leave those extra ports capped and unused for years - it doesn't hurt anything. And when you're ready to expand, you've already got the capacity waiting for you.

You've Got This Either Way

If you have unused ports, awesome! Adding zones later is straightforward, and you already know how to do the installation.

If you maxed out your system, no worries! Adding a second independent MRCOOL system is affordable, gives you better redundancy, and honestly makes a lot of practical sense. You've already proven you can DIY these installations.

Either way, you're not stuck. MRCOOL's modular approach and DIY-friendly design mean you can adapt your climate control as your needs change. That's actually one of the best things about these systems - they grow with you, whether that's through unused ports or adding complementary systems.

So go ahead and finish that bonus room. You've got options, and they're all pretty good ones.

If you have any questions or want to talk this through with someone, just give us a call at 888-231-8920.