Fujitsu coming to my garage

[Joeyboy]

For unspecified reasons we need to a.c. the garage from desert heat. We decided on a Fujitsu. The installer is known to us and the family and a long time hvac guy. I hope it's money well spent. I had the choice between Samsung and Fujitsu and didn't feel comfortable with Samsung a.c. splits based on reviews.

Oh well, it's only money, right?

 

[OzarkMan]

I got a quote to do my garage at 13k. Went online and bought an LG 3 ton mini split with ceiling cassette. I'll be doing a self install as Ive done these before. Paid 6k but that includes another dual zone mini split for an addition. Yes, the desert is beginning to heat up. Not at all looking forward to another summer. I should have stayed in NYC!
I believe garages should be conditioned much like the rest of the house.
Enjoy it! Post some pics when you can. I will be doing the same once I get a moment.

 

[Joeyboy]

I will post some. I'm paying 4k for 1.5 ton including install. No cassette. I know those are expensive. I would have loved two of those. He showed me pics of a job he did with cassettes. They look really nice.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I had a heat pump put in last summer, I just don't know how I got by with out it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

It could be a LOT of money to run if you don't have good insulation in the ceiling !

 

[mrpizza]

Make sure your insulation is up to snuff. Also demand a copy of the manual J calc they did to size the unit. If they didn't, you have little recourse in the event its not the right size.

Good thing, most ductless units are inverter drive compressors, so you can oversize somewhat with few negative consequences.

Get all the facts before you have any hvac contractor do any work. There are a LOT of companies out there, many of them do not do what is in your best interest for your hard earned dollars.

 

[Joeyboy]

I do need insulation. I have not tackled that yet. My garage is 380 square feet. I should be fine with 1.5 ton.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Jackfre]

I do need insulation. I have not tackled that yet. My garage is 380 square feet. I should be fine with 1.5 ton.

Thanks for the tips.

You are going at this backwards. Deal with the insulation first. Reduce your load and then select the right unit. For 380 sq ft a well insulated building would be perfectly comfortable with a 9000 btu unit. That 9000 unit will be about 20% more efficient than the 18 and it will cost you less. If you do this as proposed, buying a grossly oversized unit and then insulating, long term, you will not be happy. Nor will the unit. As the Fujitsu Rep, several years ago, I have been on many jobs that were set up exactly as you are proposing. Keep in mind, the Rep only gets to see the catastrophes. Always put your first dollar into the envelope. then handle the mechanical.

 

[Joeyboy]

I also have two 12x10 vent holes in the room I cannot close. Maybe I should just not do the insulation. I know the room temp matches the outdoor temp almost as it occurs. Only my swamp cooler is cooling. It was 100 yesterday and I can keep it at 88.

I haven't bought anything yet.

 

[Joeyboy]

You are going at this backwards. Deal with the insulation first. Reduce your load and then select the right unit. For 380 sq ft a well insulated building would be perfectly comfortable with a 9000 btu unit. That 9000 unit will be about 20% more efficient than the 18 and it will cost you less. If you do this as proposed, buying a grossly oversized unit and then insulating, long term, you will not be happy. Nor will the unit. As the Fujitsu Rep, several years ago, I have been on many jobs that were set up exactly as you are proposing. Keep in mind, the Rep only gets to see the catastrophes. Always put your first dollar into the envelope. then handle the mechanical.

Actually, my wife is dealing with this backwards and wants it done due to one of the reasons. Oh well, it's only money for tomorrow, blah blah blah.

 

[Joeyboy]

Thanks everyone for the information. Insulated door goes in tomorrow.

 

[6768rogues]

We had both brands at the public school where I worked. Either is fine.

 

[Joeyboy]

My son installed an insulated garage door two days ago and I put dust covers, fiberglass air filters I cut, over the vents. They breathe fine, just wanted to decrease dust. Seems to be working.

 

[Joeyboy]

The a.c. was installed on Saturday. What a nice system.

 

[Ken Greene]

been running a fujitsu mini split for three years now and its been a great system... although i don't seem to need the a/c side as my shop stays cool during the summer.
the heat has worked nicely even in the dead of an upstate NY winter.

 

[Joeyboy]

The install was completed in April. This thing is great. We just hit monsoon humidity. It worked great when it was dry but DRY mode is excellent during this monsoon time.