Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: Kidsixpack]
#3003026
01/07/22 09:45 PM
01/07/22 09:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,348 Omaha Ne
TJP
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I Live Here
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Omaha Ne
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: redraptor]
#3003104
01/08/22 10:44 AM
01/08/22 10:44 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,713 North Dakota
6PakBee
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I Live Here
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North Dakota
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The finished part of my shop is 25' X 50' with propane floor heat and 12' walls. I've looked at a number of mini-splits and it always boils down to complexity and no need for heat capabilities. Based on my insulation, it looks like I'd need about 26,000 BTU/hr of cooling. So I've decided to go this way. Window Air ConditionerSeems to be easier to install and cheaper IF all you want is A/C. All I have to do is cut a hole and wire it and I can handle that. We'll see next summer if this was a wise choice.
"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: 6PakBee]
#3003107
01/08/22 10:54 AM
01/08/22 10:54 AM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,240 nowhere
Sniper
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master
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nowhere
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The finished part of my shop is 25' X 50' with propane floor heat and 12' walls. I've looked at a number of mini-splits and it always boils down to complexity and no need for heat capabilities. Based on my insulation, it looks like I'd need about 26,000 BTU/hr of cooling. So I've decided to go this way. Window Air ConditionerSeems to be easier to install and cheaper IF all you want is A/C. All I have to do is cut a hole and wire it and I can handle that. We'll see next summer if this was a wise choice. 25x50 is a lot of area for one unit to cool even if it has the BTU capacity simply moving the air about will be tricky. Might be wise to think about two units, or more, spread out to handle the entire building. Otherwise you will have one area nice and cool and another not so much.
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: Sniper]
#3003116
01/08/22 11:12 AM
01/08/22 11:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,348 Omaha Ne
TJP
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I Live Here
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Omaha Ne
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Maybe some that are more educated on this subject will chime in My shop is 30x40, block construction of which about 1/2 is buried into a hill. the center stall ceiling is vaulted to allow use of a lift while to other two bays are at 10 ft. Very well insulated. So far I've been able to get by with 2-4 oil filled radiant heaters. I start with 2 in the fall on low when the temps begin dropping in the bldg. As the outside temps drop I ramp them up, add a 3rd and the 4th when it starts getting down to 0 or below. Summertime is handled by a 25K? BTU window A/C unit. The existing setup works pretty well but am always open to improving things especially if there is a substantial cost reduction. And just an FYI, I am all electric with the house and shop.
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: Sniper]
#3003136
01/08/22 12:13 PM
01/08/22 12:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,713 North Dakota
6PakBee
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,713
North Dakota
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The finished part of my shop is 25' X 50' with propane floor heat and 12' walls. I've looked at a number of mini-splits and it always boils down to complexity and no need for heat capabilities. Based on my insulation, it looks like I'd need about 26,000 BTU/hr of cooling. So I've decided to go this way. Window Air ConditionerSeems to be easier to install and cheaper IF all you want is A/C. All I have to do is cut a hole and wire it and I can handle that. We'll see next summer if this was a wise choice. 25x50 is a lot of area for one unit to cool even if it has the BTU capacity simply moving the air about will be tricky. Might be wise to think about two units, or more, spread out to handle the entire building. Otherwise you will have one area nice and cool and another not so much. Absolutely legitimate concerns. I have two ceiling fans that I am planning on using to distribute the air coming off the A/C unit. But it may be more feasible to go with two smaller units spaced along the wall.
"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: 6PakBee]
#3003145
01/08/22 12:35 PM
01/08/22 12:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,870 Ontario, Canada
Stanton
Don't question me!
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Don't question me!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,870
Ontario, Canada
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Of course I only use it when I plan to be out there. The only problem with this, whether it be heating or cooling, is that everything in the shop radiates heat or cold. So in summer, everything is hot and will radiate that heat when you turn on the ac - so the ac is trying to cool the air but the shop contents are are warming it. Likewise in winter your heat source is trying to heat the air but the shop contents are radiating cold and trying to cool it. I've found it to be more efficient and pleasant just to set the thermostat and let the furnace or ac do its thing. And I can go into the shop any time without having to heat or cool an hour or so ahead of time. Does it show up on the utilities bills? I don't care!
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: Stanton]
#3003427
01/09/22 12:52 PM
01/09/22 12:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,510 Tulsa, Oklahoma
340Cuda
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Of course I only use it when I plan to be out there. The only problem with this, whether it be heating or cooling, is that everything in the shop radiates heat or cold. So in summer, everything is hot and will radiate that heat when you turn on the ac - so the ac is trying to cool the air but the shop contents are are warming it. Likewise in winter your heat source is trying to heat the air but the shop contents are radiating cold and trying to cool it. I've found it to be more efficient and pleasant just to set the thermostat and let the furnace or ac do its thing. And I can go into the shop any time without having to heat or cool an hour or so ahead of time. Does it show up on the utilities bills? I don't care! No disagreement. Depending on the shop temp I try to turn the unit on before I go out there. Also, since the shop is so well insulated I don't face quite the extremes that I would otherwise.
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: TJP]
#3003701
01/10/22 08:11 AM
01/10/22 08:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,391 Abilene, Texas
fastmark
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master
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Abilene, Texas
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Spare no expense on insulation. The spray foam is unbelievable and worth every penny. It seals every crack. The thicker you spray it, the better it is. I wish I would have went 2” plus maybe to three. I got an unusual deal on mine by a tenant learning how to spray his first couple of jobs. It looks ok but he could have done better and I could have prepared the walls better.
Last edited by fastmark; 01/10/22 08:12 AM.
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: fastmark]
#3003734
01/10/22 10:28 AM
01/10/22 10:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,071 Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,071
Niles , Ohio
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My son runs one in the new shop he built.Its like 900 sq ft.Works pretty good unless its real cold.He does have good insulation in the shop.He runs a wood burned at times but not often.His shop is mostly for wood working as he makes custom bows.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: anyone using a mini split system to heat/cool the garage?
[Re: Kidsixpack]
#3003798
01/10/22 01:12 PM
01/10/22 01:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,705 central il.
second 70
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,705
central il.
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A lot of great information here guys THANKS! I'm planning to heat/cool about 2,000 sq ft. I'm not finished insulating yet but it will be well insulated. I'm planning to leave it on in the winter probably around 50degrees. Just want to maintain a decent temp. I've installed a couple of ceiling fans to keep the air moving and it seems better than nothing at all. Cooling is secondary. I'll line up a couple of quotes.
KID Ceilings fans help a bunch. Staying at 50 shouldn't be a problem. They measure the temp of the incoming air into the top of unit not like a thermostat on the wall. Mine puts out 115 degree air which heats the intake air over the unit so to keep it 50 it'll probably be set at 60. Get ready to be shocked at 2000 sf you'll a need a mutizone unit with probably 3 indoor units. Friend just bought a single zone 18,000 BTU for his new 700 sf garage. $7,000. It is a good cold weather unit and a bit oversized which means it heats above average but in summer sometimes it doesn't run long enough to take out the humidity so he uses a dehumidifier. A trade off.
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