Sorry to hear this. I'm the OP of this thread and my ceiling was finally done today so electrical and a heat source is my next step. Guys at work tell me how easy the Mr. Cool DIY mini-splits are but I sure read a lot of cautionary tales regarding them. I'm still undecided.
Hey, maybe my diy installation experience is unusual. All of my friends think so, and yours may turn out to be a piece of cake. But let me toss this out for your consideration. What problem are you attempting to solve? I worked at Milford one year, and I got to experience Michigan winters and Michigan "summers". You are going to need heat like 6 months out of the year, and a/c for a couple of weeks. The mini-split will provide reliable dehumidification to help keep tools from rusting, which is a big bonus. But your major need is for heat. I am in basically the same situation (NE Ohio), and that and my installation challenges are why I am starting to think I may have made a mistake with the mini-split. But maybe I will post in 2 weeks that this LG mini works fantastic. Maybe.
I don’t really need it for the air conditioning. It would be nice on occasion but it’s mainly for heat. The thing is I have a 5kw electric heater in my current garage and it’s quite noisy. I would like something a bit quieter and I don’t want to use gas. The mini splits are supposed to be like 300 to 400% efficient I figure I could just leave it set at 60 all the time and that way I could keep all my cordless stuff out in the garage during the winter instead of having to bring the batteries inside. It would also be better for the dirt bikes and other things. if I keep a regular electric heater out there and keep the same temperature, it would cost a lot more.
James, I am also in Michigan, but in South Haven on the west side of the state. My well insulated garage is 24x40 and I am using a Pioneer mini split. My unit will heat the garage to 60+ degrees at 0f. I like using the app to turn on the unit about an hour before I head to my garage. The AC is more useful and very much appreciated when needed. No windows open, low humidity and no mosquitoes! I bought a unit one size larger and it is very quiet and efficient. Treat yourself to as good an environment as you can. It is well worth it.
The non DIY direct to consumer models like Blueridge and Pioneer are not really much harder to install than the Mr Cool 'DIY' units and are available with hyper heat. The only real difference is that you need a vacuum pump and gauge set, which can be had for < $200. You can also do a pressurized leak test with dry nitrogen if you want to, but this is not entirely necessary if you have time to do a longer vacuum leak test. I just purchased a Blueridge 'S5' 24 kBTU system, which is a rebranded Gree Saphire for about $2500 - it is has very impressive low temperature heating performance.
Surprised you say this: I am in central Michigan and it gets pretty hot and humid for a few solid weeks out of the year. An AC would also serve to control humidity to make more comfortable and control rusting etc. My garage can get like an oven and it is very uncomfortable some weeks doing car maintenance etc. In my case the roof is not insulated so I am getting extra heat on hot days ... but even outside the garage can be 90s at high humidity. For me I have a lot going on so I cannot usually choose to avoid work when I have time to do it. So it is often comfort be damned!
I guess I don't mind heat. I have windows and ceiling fans and very good insulation above and haven't noticed and excessive humidity.
Some people have never wished for power windows or cruise control either. But there's still a market for both, it seems. If something has to get done, I get it done. But I noticed a lot of stuff that didn't "have to" get done and was set aside for better weather with no AC or heat in the shop got done sooner when that wasn't an reason not to work on it.
I am not trying to influence anyone, it's simply my honest experience and opinion.
Depending on the number of hours of usage per year, a heat pump will pay for itself and save you money within a few years compared to NG heater.
Good call - the Mr Cool DIY units are good air conditioners, but not great heat pumps for a cold climate.
DIY install of 5 units and used the following on all to basically guarantee no leaks.
Perfect, if you have a perfectly dry garage you could get away with 50° if yyou setback in off hours but if any water is used in the garage (like a spill or sink overflow) you could get areas which allow rust. Had that situation in mine as I had washer hose come out of the drain. After that situation I brought the temp up to 62° for night set back. The Fujitsu units cost so little to run. In the garage I keep the front plastic cover off, you can then see when to clean the easy to remove/reinstall filter.
The Mr Cool Gen5s are rated for good output even at single digits
I couldn't find a spec sheet from Mr Cool that shows the output and COP vs temperature, which is kind of a red flag. The only thing I did find was their entry on the NEEEP list (linked above) which is where I got the numbers.
ashp.neep.org
.....because the heat pump offered is older technology that no body would buy if they have any knowledge of heat pumps, great for the company selling/installing's profit margin. If offered, your getting screwed.
