Cave Space air/heat question

[AverageJoe]

I just bought a house with a great detached "barn" - has a bay on the left for my car, with a bay behind for lawn equipment. Along the length is an area I want to build into my cave space for bar, music, cigars, sports, bourbon. I'll frame both ends and it will be about 26' x 10' (so very rectangular) and the ceiling height slopes from 8' to about 11'. I live in MIchigan it doesn't get super hot, but it can get humid. And, the winters are brutal. I'll use it weekends, and an evening every once in awhile. It has well insulated walls, and a pellet stove already installed. I will install two ceiling fans on downrods which I think will do the trick most times. But, I'd like to condition the space for use. Do you think the pellet stove would be sufficient for winter? As for air, I cannot put a window unit in or through the wall (my wife would kill me and the windows are small - pictures attached for reference), and I can't afford a mini-split. Would a 14,000 BTU portable with dual hose vented through the wall (like a dryer vent) work in this space do you think? (This is what I'm looking at: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Whynter...nd-Remote-ARC-14SH/202555706#product-overview). Thanks for any advice or previous experience.

 

[Terry D]

Although I have never owned one, i haven't heard many good things on portable A/C's. If your spending that much on a portable unit, and if you are somewhat handy, a DIY minisplit might be the option. If you are more handy a non DIY might be the option. I Know you said it was out of the budget. You could also get a non DIY and have someone pressure test it and evacuate it. The DIY models are about $ 500 more than the non DIY. I understand about spending the money on the tools to do it and never use them again.

 

[ericm]

They make some good portable ACs now that are inverter units. Basically a mini split that's not split and only cools. They also make them U-shaped in cross section so the window only needs to be opened 4" or so.

 

[AverageJoe]

They make some good portable ACs now that are inverter units. Basically a mini split that's not split and only cools. They also make them U-shaped in cross section so the window only needs to be opened 4" or so.

Thanks. The U-Shaped still hang out side the window, from what I understand. And, I have casement/slider windows that only open 14.5" so even the casement style air conditioners don't fit. I don't love the idea of the portable, but I don't think I have much choice. But, I welcome these ideas - keep 'em coming. Thanks.

 

[AverageJoe]

Well, I think the best thing for me to do is what Terry D said: buy a DIY model (in the neighborhood of $1000 - $1500) - quick connect (so no vacuum pump is needed) and using 120v (limiting the need for 220 change). Even if I hire some help, I figure it will save me $1000 or so. I don't feel real good about the reviews I read for portables and don't love the idea of a big hose out the window or cutting a hole in the wall to exhaust (we have WINTER in Michigan!). A window unit would be perfect and efficient, but I have 14.5" wide casement windows and not even a casement air conditioning unit will fit that, nor would my wife like the look of our barn with that hanging in it. I really love the U-shape units that ericm mentioned - I didn't even know they existed: briliant units. But, they require a sash window. So... DIY mini seems the best option. Thanks to everyone.

 

[Milton Shaw]

PTAC like the ones used in hotel or motel would be a cheaper option than mini-splits. They come in various models with resistance heat or heat pump on some models. Most of the have a freeze sensor that will turn the unit on when temp goes below 40 inside the room. This will turn on most even if the unit is turned off unless you turn it off in the fuse box. GE and Amana are the most popular brands. These install in a sleeve mounted in the wall and don't obstruct the window.

 

[AverageJoe]

PTAC like the ones used in hotel or motel would be a cheaper option than mini-splits. They come in various models with resistance heat or heat pump on some models. Most of the have a freeze sensor that will turn the unit on when temp goes below 40 inside the room. This will turn on most even if the unit is turned off unless you turn it off in the fuse box. GE and Amana are the most popular brands. These install in a sleeve mounted in the wall and don't obstruct the window.

Thanks - interesting idea. But, I don't want to put a hole in the wall (and it might be a little noisy) - my wife would kill me as it is a beautiful barn overlooking our fire pit and yard. But, I hadn't even thought about that - seems better than occupying a window. Still thinking mini-split. Found a DIY 9,000 btu Pioneer with great ratings for $787.

 

[mcspeed]

I have a 14,000 btu portable ac unit cooling my 20 x 20 well insulated garage in TX. I keep it at 80 and it feels cool vs the 100 temps outside. I use an electric resistant heater, 240 volt to heat it. We saw sub zero temps this past winter and it never dropped below 60.