Thoughts On A Heat Pump Split Type System

[04 Navi]

Our new garage will be about 1400sq ft. We live in an area that sees the upper 90's in the summer with as low as the teens in the winter. I would say almost 50/50 heat cool. I was looking at a 3 ton ductless split heat pump system. The reason is hopefully it would perform adequately for the climates and be a little more asthetically pleasing.

I could always add a Hot Dawg later if I need it but would this work? Opinions please.

[CraigFL]

I'm a believer in heat pumps but I caution people about two things:

1. They have a low recovery rate. This means if you open an overhead door in the middle of the winter and let most of your heat out, it will take a long time to bring it back to temperature. Typically in homes, you compensate for this with some kind of aux. heat when the temperature difference is beyond a set point.

2. Some people complain of being cold all the time. The output temperature from a heat pump can be about 90 degrees which is certainly enough temperature difference to heat the space but 90 degrees with the blower on feels like cool air.

[04 Navi]

Thanks. I'll probably have it wired for the heat pump and even have a aux forced air heat wired in. Might as well do it now. Thanks again.

[JohnZ]

Heat pumps don't work very well in a typical Michigan winter (they wind up using a LOT of auxiliary electric heat), and the recovery issue is significant, especially with a 2500 sq. ft. garage with two 18' doors. I installed a 3-1/2 ton ductless split system last summer for A/C, and it has no trouble keeping my super-insulated garage in the 70's when it's 90+ outside; also makes virtually no noise at all.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?folder_id=1411059

I use a Reznor ceiling-hung power-vented forced-air gas unit heater with electronic ignition (no pilot flame) for heat; no way a heat pump would handle it, so I just went with the A/C-only ductless split system (they're also available with integrated heat-pump heat where the climate makes that practical).

[04 Navi]

Thanks. That's probably what I will end up doing.

[mike944]

I assume your looking at an air-source heat pump. The kind with a compressor/condenser outdoor unit. If you can afford the additional installation cost, a ground-source heat pump(also called geothermal) heat pump is significantly more economical to operate, and should not require an auxilary heater. In fact, from an operating cost standpoint, a geothermal heat pump is the least expensive way to heat a space. Unfortunately, from an installation cost standpoint, it's one of the most expensive to install. I guess it depends on wether you plan on staying in this place long enough to make up for the extra installation cost or not.

You will still have the same slow recovery and relatively cool (90F) air circulation issues as you will with any heat pump, but a geothermal isn't nearly as bad.

[BoostAddiction]

I use a very efficient (15 SEER) mini split from Daikin and love it. Very quiet, operated by remote control, and complete control in a similar climate (MidAtlantic).

I have used a small propane heater to give the unit a boost to get to temp when it is very cold. Turned it off and the mini split kept it perfect.

Good insulation helps- my garage, even with the unit turned off is always 10-20 degrees to the good of whatever temp is outside.

You can see a pic of the unit in the "Garagenous ZOne" thread in the garages gallery.

I agree with the comment from Mike re ground loop. We wish we had done that to the house when we built it. I'm pretty sure it won't have a payback for the garage, though, as you will only be using it for a few hours a day at most.


-Will

[Paradise Ridge]

I use a very efficient (15 SEER) mini split from Daikin and love it. Very quiet, operated by remote control, and complete control in a similar climate (MidAtlantic).

I have used a small propane heater to give the unit a boost to get to temp when it is very cold. Turned it off and the mini split kept it perfect.

Good insulation helps- my garage, even with the unit turned off is always 10-20 degrees to the good of whatever temp is outside.

You can see a pic of the unit in the "Garagenous ZOne" thread in the garages gallery.

I agree with the comment from Mike re ground loop. We wish we had done that to the house when we built it. I'm pretty sure it won't have a payback for the garage, though, as you will only be using it for a few hours a day at most.


-Will
Boost,

I'm currently shopping for a split air system (cool only) for my new shop and really like the Seer and looks of the Daikin unit.

question is, where online can I find them? I've Googled it and only find dist. in th UK. 2 Ton would do me quite nicely. What did yours run you?

Thanks!

Scott

[BoostAddiction]

I gpt mine at www.smarterway.com. Forgot the price.

-Will

[04 Navi]

I gpt mine at www.smarterway.com. Forgot the price.

-Will

I appreciate the link, but I don't have ADHD. Although if the above mentioned website does sell heaters then maybe they have a hard time concentrating. :bounce:

[BoostAddiction]

Well, my memory is the second thing to go (what was the first one, anyway?) :willy_nil

The correct (and verified) is:here. (http://ip.smarterwayinc.com:8080/res_systems/ductless/ductless.asp)

I was pretty close!

-Will

[thermodix]

Our new garage will be about 1400sq ft. We live in an area that sees the upper 90's in the summer with as low as the teens in the winter. I would say almost 50/50 heat cool. I was looking at a 3 ton ductless split heat pump system. The reason is hopefully it would perform adequately for the climates and be a little more asthetically pleasing.

I could always add a Hot Dawg later if I need it but would this work? Opinions please.

I think you may try to look at this heat pumps guys... for more options to choose from... http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=9&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshopping.yahoo.com%2Ft-Air-Conditioners%2Fsplit-system-heat-pumps&ei=UA6kSd6eEtXLkAXYzOGuBQ&usg=AFQjCNFX-tigIGmCO8O1lFejBsfmReg_rQ&sig2=whu-XxMOlRFhG4L7eBzr4w hoe this help you a little guys...



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[seatec]

I have a Daikin 18,000 btus in my garage, works very well here in Nova Scotia. At -27c it is a bit slow, but will keep my shop at 50 f at night. Heat comming out at -27c outside is about 75 f, when sun comes up it puts heat out at 90- 100f during day. Putting one in my house next it works so well, was never cold enough for it not to work and we had some record cold nights here. Wayne

[autoist]

What/where is "PNW"?