New here, A/C opinions please

[TxAg]

Hi all, I'm new here to the Garage Journal and looking for some opinions. I am in the heart of Texas and our Summers can be scorching. I have a 30x30x12 metal building that I had put up a couple of years ago. Its insulated and has 2 10x10 rollup doors facing the west, and 1 8x8 rollup door facing the north. I have a propane patio heater that works pretty well for the winter. The hot Summer is what I am looking to combat.

I just replaced my old 5 ton all electric A/C unit in my house with a heat pump. I kept the old unit, that was still working fine, with the intent to install it in my shop and use for A/C only. I am wondering if it would be worth it to sell the old 5 ton unit and get a 2-2.5 ton mini-split to install. I know the 5 ton will cool very well, but not quite be as efficient and take up more real estate in the building. I don't need it 65 degrees in the shop during the heat of Summer, but cool enough to be comfortable.

Just looking for some opinions on what others think before I get something installed before the heat of Summer this year.

Thoughts?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I just replaced my old 5 ton all electric A/C unit in my house with a heat pump. I kept the old unit, that was still working fine, with the intent to install it in my shop and use for A/C only. I am wondering if it would be worth it to sell the old 5 ton unit and get a 2-2.5 ton mini-split to install.

This is hard one to call. A lot of it depends on how many hours per year you are planning on running it.

My gut says, go with the mini-split. Easier to install and it will pay you back, just how many years it will take is the unknown ! Also, you will enjoy lower heating costs !

For your size of building, I would step up to a 3 ton unit with 2 air handlers. You still may need some fans to help out.

 

[DC73]

Your location implies fairly high humidity in the summer. You have 900 sq. ft. of insulated space with high ceilings plus 3 overhead doors. Not sure of the heat gain but it is possible the 5 ton unit could be too large for the space. If it is too large, it will still cool your building and do it fairly rapidly. The problem will be if you want humidity control. That large of a unit may not run long enough to extract enough humidity from the air for your desired comfort level. You'll get to the temperature you want but it won't feel as comfortable which generally means turning the thermostat down even more. But, it may be possible to set the fan speed or adjust other settings on the unit to force it to run longer.

Good luck with it.

DC

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Id say a 2-2 1/2t mini split would work fine,maybe do a heat pump since it doesn't cost that much more and should have no problem heating the shop in winter.

 

[rburke65]

Hello and welcome from Ohio! No expert here but I think I would Boyer for the two 2 1/2 ton mini splits. Good luck. And yes it does get hot in Texas!

 

[TxAg]

Thanks for all the opinions. I am getting some pricing on a mini split. I appreciate it guys.

 

[MrV]

I am in central texas too. I installed a 1.5 ton heat pump minisplit in my 25X30 shop last year. It is pretty well insulated. But it is probably a little undersized. On a 95F day, i only get down to about 80F (and dry). Which feels quite nice actually so overall i am happy with it.

dean