Mini split a/c in shop

Finally going to bit the bullet and install a/c in the shop. Had a guy look at it a couple years ago and quoted what I thought was a ridiculous price to install a 12,000 BTU unit so I took a pass. I've been looking again and see that some of these can be installed yourself and they're around $2000. However reading the specs it seemed I need a bigger unit. Anyhow, told the wife I was gonna finally bite the bullet and she mentioned she has a friend whose husband owns a heating/cooling company so what-the-hell, right ! I called the guy and he came out and looked the place over and also recommended a 12,000 BTU unit. Huh ?!?! Well then he went on to explain "why" !! If I install a bigger unit it will run less. Well an a/c removes humidity - which is a real killer in the shop 'cause I have a lot of bare steel that can rust, not to mention that mold and mildew will form on anything. So the smaller unit will have to run longer to keep the temp down BUT because its running longer its removing more moisture from the air. So now I'm comfortable with the 12,000 BTU unit. Going to have them install it - gotta support local small businesses, right !!

12,000 btu ? How big of a shop?

You can get a 12K BTU (one ton) mini ductless system at Home Depot for about a grand. Install it yourself. A "wall shaker" of the same size is a lot less.

The old 'rule of thumb' is 600 square feet per ton of AC. Is that approximately how big your shop is?

I have the dual heat/ac Mitsubishi 18,000 BTU unit for my 4 car garage. Mounted right over tool box next to hard top hanging from ceiling. Works great.

I also have a second 9,000 BTU unit for my 700 SF great room. They both run off the same out side unit. It can handle three indoor units.

864 square feet. 9-1/2' ceiling. Two experts who are familiar with the local climate tell me 12,000 will do ... I'll take their advice !! Humidity is a big issue so the near continuous operation should help resolve that. This is Canada - you don't get a 12,000 BTU mini-split for $1000 !!! Lowes was just under $2000 for a "Mr Cool" but the unit I'm getting is top of the line and because they're installing it has a one year parts and labour warranty and a ten year parts warranty. Anyhow, its a done deal.

You can do this with one or two WINDOW UNITS !!

My 3 bay is about 850 sq ft +/- with 9 ft ceilings. I put R30 in the ceiling and a poly vapor barrier in the outside walls before sheet rocking. Also ran a dedicated 220v single phase for the old school Kenmore 18,000 BTU window unit I scored on craigs for like $50. I can get 70F in the garage regardless of how hot and humid it is outside if I give it a hour or two to catch up after having the doors open. I also run a big box fan to keep the air circulating but that's more of a help in the winter when it's high mounted.

Took me a while to find the right deal because I was intentionally looking for an oldie. Ya know, back when Kenmores were built to last forever. Passed on more than a fewer newer ones in that size that were still under $400. Yeah, this thing no doubt sucks double the electricity but it's not like it's running all day every day. Biggest issue was lifting the thing in to the window myself so I built a 2x4 sling and used an engine hoist.

Then I'd have to install windows so where's the gain ?!?!

JUST cut in high on the wall one or two slots !

The GAIN ? ... initially THE HUGE COST reduction.., then any service or replacement cost would be a HUGE savings too !

I decided to read this topic since I also want heat & A/C in my garage but wanted to tell you that your garage looks great.

The Mitsubishi mini split in my shop has a "de-humidify" setting that I use sometimes that might be useful to you.

I really like mine, very efficient, I use it for heating and cooling and never can tell any difference in my electric bill even though I know it is there.

Unlike a window unit there is only a small hole in the wall for the lines to go through and that is foam insulated.

I guess it is possible for a window unit to have continuously variable compressors and fans like the Mitsubishi but I don't know if any do.

I agree, that is a nice looking garage.
That mini-split system looks to be a nice system also. I'd love to have one, good choice.
My attached garage is approx 33'x25'. Years ago I bought a dehumidifier to address the humidity. As I got older, working out in the garage with just a fan
wasn't cutting it anymore. So a couple of years ago, I got a window unit. Unfortunately the size of my double hung windows limited me to only a 12,000 BTU window unit. I may put in a larger unit thru the wall as the 12K unit struggles with the afternoon sun. If I turn it on a few hours beforehand it does OK.
My detached garage is 24'x30' and I run a dehumidifier in it also. I opened up one end of the garage for a place for my boy to park and work on his Mustang. I went with the largest window unit Menards sold, a 24,000 BTU unit. I went thru the wall with it and it flat out kicks azz. Since I'm not in the garage all the time, I let the dehumidifiers do their thing and only kick on the a/c units when I work in either garage.

Youz guyz in Canada and New York can’t fathom REAL HUMIDITY

When I walked into my workshop yesterday .. 90 degrees !

But the big central unit had been running .. it was actually pretty decent working conditions!

Much lower humidity... outside it was 97 degrees ... 88% iirc

If it is not too difficult to see what does the nameplate of your old Kenmore say for model and serial number?

Did Friedrichs manufacture those old 220v units for Sears?

I have also seen old 220v window units last an extremely long time in very harsh conditions.

I have seen a 1948 GE refrigerator that was still running in 2007 in very dirty conditions with its door opened and closed 20-30 times per day.

It's got a boilerplate on the front but dunno what kinda help that would be. I mean it's pretty likely from the 70s and probably not that many around. When shopping I searched by size and price and old ones are kinda easy to spot. Pretty sure I looked it up and found out that it's an Emerson. The Coldspot that I replaced was likely from the 60s, a bit bigger, was still blowing ice cold but the fan motor bearings were starting to make noise. Nice feature of the new one is oil ports for the bearings. Takes a full 5 minutes to pop off the front cover, slide the chassis 1/3 out of the case and put a few drops in.

I’m a buy USA guy if possible .... but I’m not aware of any newer window units so made.

But ... I personally know of very good luck with LG units

Well made ... good warranty PLUS has very good energy star rating

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Congratulations! Glad you were able to find a solution that makes it possible to better enjoy your shop...





is what people mean to say.

Fortunately, I have room for a package unit with a ceiling for the necessary ductwork. Got it for cheap as a "not energy efficient" take out.

How do they get the condensate out of it I wonder?

Kevin

I am guessing a small pump but I don't know.

I found it interested that it had a lifetime guarantee.

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Whole lot of nothing other than it's prettier and you can use an app and even less info on their website.

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An even playing field keeps everybody honest.

I have been guilty of taking threads a little off topic myself, but I don't think I have every seen one get so far off as this one!

Mini-splits to splitting atoms...

Could be a heated drip tray ala refrigerator.