Am I underselling myself on a portable?

[MrBalll]

***EDIT: Check post 8***


I have searched and just can't find what I'm looking for.
I have an interior space of 24'w x 28'l x 14'h garage/shop that will have an 18' garage door, two typical windows, and a man door and it will be well insulated.

After using a calculator is shows that I need around 16,000 BTU. I don't know for sure how all this works, but would that number go down after cabinets, shelving and a vehicle were placed into the garage?

If that's the case would I be able to survive with something like this? It is the LG 14,000 BTU AC and heater combo portable with a window vent. I don't need it to be extremely hot or cold when I'm working.

I don't plan to 'live' in the shop working, just a few days here and there. That's why I don't want to do a full HVAC system. I will have a natural gas run so I can use that, was just hoping for an AIO system if possible.

Do you guys think that will work for me or will I need to use a gas heater as well as some sort of standalone AC unit?

Thanks,

MrBalll

 

[themiller]

Your link doesn't work. But - the portable units are undersized. I use them in small maint. closets to cool a few pieces of pc/network equipment and they do great. Every now and again I'll be in an old conference room with one sitting in the corner. Usually they're in individual offices (8x8 or so) and they work OK for that. I'd say 10x20x10 room AT MOST can be taken down 10-15 degrees. There is no way 1 of these units is going to noticeably cool your area. Maybe, maybe, if you get two of them. Also - they need to be vented outside, or at least to a non-conditioned space. They don't work nearly as well as thru-wall units from what I have seen, I think the portable units are incredibly optimistic in their ratings but then again I am NOT an expert, just btdt... An 18k BTU thru-wall would probably work just fine.

 

[James-W]

I think you would be better off with a "thru the wall or window" 24,000 BTU air-conditioner. My reasoning is that since you only work out there on occasion you won't be running it all the time. So when you turn it on to do some work, the smaller the unit the longer it will take to cool the space down. Also, every time you open up that overhead door to bring something inside, or to take something outside, you are letting the cool air out and the warm air in and the air-conditioner has to cool the space all over again.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

X2 on a window heat pump. More bang for your buck. longer lasting, no condensate to drain, better security...

Tommy

 

[theoldwizard1]

X2 on a window heat pump. More bang for your buck. longer lasting, no condensate to drain, better security...

Tommy

Now I think we have some salesmenship going on ! Initial cost is less.

It is a big step up on the initial cost, but I think you will be happier with a mini-split. Lower operating cost.

If you are in TX and expect to be able to walk in the garage an turn on the A/C and 10-20 minutes later have it below 80, you are going to have to seriously oversize !

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Now I think we have some salesmenship going on ! Initial cost is less.

It is a big step up on the initial cost, but I think you will be happier with a mini-split. Lower operating cost.

If you are in TX and expect to be able to walk in the garage an turn on the A/C and 10-20 minutes later have it below 80, you are going to have to seriously oversize !

Yes initial cost is less. So is rated output Vs. actual output, airflow, lifespan...

Your right, I would spring for a mini split above all else if cost was is not a limiting factor.

Tommy

 

[dsimatt]

After using a calculator is shows that I need around 16,000 BTU. I don't know for sure how all this works, but would that number go down after cabinets, shelving and a vehicle were placed into the garage?


I don't plan to 'live' in the shop working, just a few days here and there. That's why I don't want to do a full HVAC system. I will have a natural gas run so I can use that, was just hoping for an AIO system if possible.

Do you guys think that will work for me or will I need to use a gas heater as well as some sort of standalone AC unit?

Thanks,

MrBalll

I'm not a hvac guy so don't have facts to tell you but I think that the btu will not go down because the building is still the same size, IMO the empty building will be easier to maintain/change temps than when the stuff is in there because not only are you changing the air temp but also everything in there. They say up here for heating that you don't want to let the temp drop more than 4* as you lose the energy savings bringing everything back up to temp.

I have a portable a/c unit that's 13k btu and I would never expect it to come close to cooling that place and if you aren't completely covered by shade then expect it to run 27/7.

The thing I would do is get a mini split system in there, otherwise get a big a/c wall unit as cooling will be your biggest issue and then a cheaped wall mount heater.

 

[MrBalll]

Guessing the mini split is my best option.
Off to read multiple topics on which is a good one to get then.

Thanks for the suggestions.


Edit:
I have done four different calculators for mini-splits. They range from 8,800 to 22,000.

From first post, "I have an interior space of 24'w x 28'l x 14'h garage/shop that will have an 18' garage door, two typical windows, and a man door and it will be well insulated."

Can anyone help on what sizing I need?

 

[MrBalll]

Bump for post #8.

My guess is I need about 18k BTU.

 

[Git]

I am a happy ecomfort customer (Mr Slim) and I would recommend you use their online sizing guide to get a rough estimate - click on the SINGLE ROOM SIZING TOOL

On this page they also have a downloadable worksheet you can fill out and send in to get a more exact estimate

http://www.ecomfort.com/stories/1120-Air-Conditioner-Sizing-Chart-by-Square-Footage.html