Garage Mini Split

[AZpilot]

Hey Guys,

Been reading all about mini splits here for a couple of months. Going to pull the trigger this week. Decided on a 22K BTU LG heat pump model LS240HEV. Any feedback on this appreciated. My garage has a 220 outside where I plan to install the outdoor unit. I will need to change that to a disconnect. I already have a place to route the lineset through the wall. I will post some pics tomorrow.

 

[bullnerd]

AZpilot, are you into offroad racing by chance?

 

[AZpilot]

No. Why?

 

[bullnerd]

Theres a guy on another forum with the same name thats into offroad buggies like the one in my avatar.

 

[Trey T]

What's the dimension of the space you're trying to heat?

 

[cspcrx]

AZPilot keep us updated. Im in Peoria and want to put one in my garage also. Just had a subpanel run to the garage so i have 220v for my welder and a mini split. Are you installing it or a contractor. I had a local hvac come give me a quote and it was almost 6k for a 2ton system!

Sick of the az summer dictating my garage time.

 

[MushCreek]

If you want to do it right, get a Manual J program and enter in all the data as honestly as you can. I used HVACCalc- about $50 for a 30 day license.

I bought my Mits Hyper Heat units on-line for about $1700 each, including linesets and wall brackets. I did most of the install, then had a licensed HVAC guy do the final commissioning for $650. He cut and flared the lines, vacuumed it out, leak checked it, and adjusted the charge (one needed a bit more due to line length).

 

[theoldwizard1]

Insulation is the key to a successful HVAC job !

 

[Wizzard]

I'm in the same boat, I have read mixed reviews on the LG mini-splits...but very good reviews on Daiken, Mitsu, and Fujitsu units. Good luck.

 

[shade]

I insulated my garage very well....put in an 18k through the wall unit. Cools 700 Sq ft no problems in the AZ heat.

 

[cspcrx]

I insulated the walls, ceiling and garage doors. There are no windows but two vent holes in the wall because of the gas water heater. AZPilot what did you end up going with?

 

[seamus2154]

I just put this one in my 2.5 garage.
https://www.goductless.com/LG-Air-C...cat9666&mainCat=shop-by-brand&subCat=cat7276#

I bought the lines pre flared at proper length, and installed the unit in less than day with my son. Instructions and good videos on youtube. It was not a hard job. I went oversize because I am in Fla.
Then all the AC guys tried to rip me off with stupid prices to vacuum it out and start it.
So I went to Harbor freight bought an AC vacuum for 150 dollars and did it myself. they made me do it! Then release the pre charge and start it. I can hang meat in my garage. I insulated the garage door with 1" foam board. Best thing I ever did for my garage.

 

[AZpilot]

What's the dimension of the space you're trying to heat?

24X20

AZPilot keep us updated. Im in Peoria and want to put one in my garage also. Just had a subpanel run to the garage so i have 220v for my welder and a mini split. Are you installing it or a contractor. I had a local hvac come give me a quote and it was almost 6k for a 2ton system!

$4500 on my quote. Non starter

If you want to do it right, get a Manual J program and enter in all the data as honestly as you can. I used HVACCalc- about $50 for a 30 day license.

Thanks, I will check that.

I insulated the walls, ceiling and garage doors. There are no windows but two vent holes in the wall because of the gas water heater. AZPilot what did you end up going with?

I am worried about the gas water heater. Anyone know if it is safe in the same space? All of my walls are double insulated. Waiting on money actually. My truck cracked a head. So rebuild in progress in 115 heat.

I just put this one in my 2.5 garage.
https://www.goductless.com/LG-Air-Co...ubCat=cat7276#

Seamus, is there a price on there? Or do I need to register?

 

[cspcrx]

keep us posted. I do not think I will put one in this summer, around here AC work goes to premium summer pricing as you know. But perhaps this fall when things calm down.

 

[Hingebird]

AZPilot,

Please do! I am over Litchfield Park and I am looking to install AC in my garage as well. The insulation keep it cool but it is not match when the sun is on the garage door.

Now off to work there at 110F.

--Conrad

 

[cspcrx]

I need to find a better way of getting the heat out. After fully insulating the garage i noticed it does a great job of keeping the heat from the cars in. In the top garage vent, per code for gas water heater, i put a bathroom fan. Its on a time pulling air out and runs from 10pm to 6am. When i leave for work, its still 101 deg in the garage. I am now trying opening the attic latter to see if that gets more heat out. The combination of 115deg and two hot cars in a 4 car garage makes it an oven.

 

[shade]

Through the wall.
$500 for an 18k unit cools a 3 car off very well and able to control the temp at 75 degrees if i choose

 

[Trey T]

can you specify the make/model or the heat/cool capacity (and SEER) of the unit?

A Fujitsu 21.5 SEER 15K BTU indoor and outdoor units is $1350 at wholesale. If the guy mark it up 50%, it's about $2k for the unit. It's a half-day job @ $50-75/hr two people, which is $600 in labor. Overall, $3K is a fair price.

 

[magicrat]

I do Ac for a living....It could take up to 6 hours max....But you could buy the unit yourself off ebay and have it installed by someone....Or get a 24000 btu window unit for 600 bucks from home depot and mount it in the wall....Or get a real split system for about 1500(2 ton off ebay) and have it installed directly on the floor of ur garage and build a plenum shooting over the ceiling....Sorry that last option kind of assumes u can do ur own ac work or know someone who will do it cheap. Make sure you have someone who is willing to install a system u purchashed on your own. The AC guys around me in Texas can be pretty harsh

 

[ultramaxracing]

Hello guys, I'm getting ready to get some spray foam insulation in my 30x50x10tall shop. going with closed cell 3" thick from floor to 5 ft high, and the rest of the walls and ceiling open cell 5 1/2, if I recall correctly, I'l be going with a 24,000 btu mini split from http://www.thermospace.com ....same guys selling on ebay. Dont be fooled by the seer rating as many technicians and info found say that seer ratings are not all that accurate. I will update how it goes, we are in the Southeast Texas are near La. It gets hot as hell in the shop, I even have about 15 tress of shade around the shop but, I cant wait to get it all air conditioned.
Oh btw I got quoted $4350 for the insulation job, which is cheap from all the information I researched, I was going to spray it myself but for about $1500 I'l let the professionals sweat their *** in them suits instead of myself.

 

[Trey T]

I do Ac for a living....It could take up to 6 hours max....But you could buy the unit yourself off ebay and have it installed by someone....Or get a 24000 btu window unit for 600 bucks from home depot and mount it in the wall....Or get a real split system for about 1500(2 ton off ebay) and have it installed directly on the floor of ur garage and build a plenum shooting over the ceiling....Sorry that last option kind of assumes u can do ur own ac work or know someone who will do it cheap. Make sure you have someone who is willing to install a system u purchashed on your own. The AC guys around me in Texas can be pretty harsh

Because they want to control the pricing to the customer as a package. They rely on markup on the unit and their inflated labor. Pricings in HVAC industry is hidden and contractors can play the free market game however they want, which is why I love this country!

 

[magicrat]

Partially true but the internet has thrown a wrench in that idea in every single industry....Hvac just hasnt been hit as hard as regular retail.....but thrifty people will order off hvac websites or ebay and then call every number in the phonebook till someone agrees to install it....How these companies get away with shipping freon containing equipment to people without EPA cert. i do not know. But I just go with the flow and believe there is enough work out there for everyone....Especially I like helping people when they truly can afford to replace there equipment at retail prices and dont have credit to get financed...The poor shouldnt be deprived of central air....Not everyone has 5 grand laying around.

 

[AZpilot]

Sorry about not updating the thread. Life got in the way as usual and this job did not get done last year. Forward to this year and the unit is on the way! I will update this time with the process as I get things done.

 

[MrBalll]

Did you end up purchasing from that 'goductless' wholesale website?

 

[04chase]

Hello guys, I'm getting ready to get some spray foam insulation in my 30x50x10tall shop. going with closed cell 3" thick from floor to 5 ft high, and the rest of the walls and ceiling open cell 5 1/2, if I recall correctly, I'l be going with a 24,000 btu mini split from http://www.thermospace.com ....same guys selling on ebay. Dont be fooled by the seer rating as many technicians and info found say that seer ratings are not all that accurate. I will update how it goes, we are in the Southeast Texas are near La. It gets hot as hell in the shop, I even have about 15 tress of shade around the shop but, I cant wait to get it all air conditioned.
Oh btw I got quoted $4350 for the insulation job, which is cheap from all the information I researched, I was going to spray it myself but for about $1500 I'l let the professionals sweat their *** in them suits instead of myself.

a 2 ton for a 1500 sq ft isnt near enough , id go with two of them if you want it to cool decently.

 

[AZpilot]

Did you end up purchasing from that 'goductless' wholesale website?

No. I will review who I purchased from after it arrives.

 

[MrBalll]

No. I will review who I purchased from after it arrives.

That would be nice.
I'm still trying to decide what brand to purchase and who from.

 

[stevon]

I purchased Thermospace ACON-09 9,000 BTU Mini Split AC and Heat Pump for $642. I did the physical install myself. It was supposed to include "an install kit". unit arrived truck freight w/lift gate. The driver helped me roll it on a pallet jack into my garage from the street. The "install kit" only included insulated copper tubing. Had to purchase separately control line (3 conductor + ground power cord) platform to mount condenser on and a plastic cover for the lines outside. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ductless...Merch_Ship_Conf_2876540-_-pip_url__W467329825
The trouble was finding a licensed HVAC guy to vacuum out the copper tubing. (required for any warranty) First quote was $600.00!!!!!! Most heating and cooling contractors would not touch a system installed by a "non-HVAC licensed" person. Finally got a licensed Guy to come out and do it for $350.00. He pressure tested the lines with 150 lbs of nitrogen then vacuumed the pipes. He found a leak, snugged up the fittings and tested again. after all was good he checked my wiring, released the system 410 Freon and it worked!! Heating and cooling works well so far. It is absolutely silent, good choice for a bedroom. Overall cost was around thousand dollars complete!

 

[AZpilot]

I purchased an LG 18K 17 Seer unit from Ingram off of ebay.

LSN180HEV1

It should be here next week. I will report on all of the install the good and bad. While true I did not 5+ thousand dollars to do this project, I aim to do it right. Any advice gladly accepted.

And up front, you should check any off ebay website for ebay sellers for different pricing. Mine was $277.00 cheaper on their website than on ebay. I called them and they are refunding the balance. I will update that if they don't come through. The company I bought from has an over 4000+ 100% review so they should have awesome customer service.

 

[My Old Tools]

I've been watching Wayfair for systems since my daughter works there. They have a range from no names to Mr. Cool and some decent pricing, and everything ships free.
http://www.wayfair.com/filters/All-...tless+mini+split+systems&drilldown=1&rtype=10

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Been doing HVAC for a few years now (just shy of 2 decades) and I would NOT recommend mini-splits. If you want ductless in this size go with a PTAC (hotel room unit). They are basically disposable, less costly than a mini- split, can be heat pump or A/C, with or without electric heat.

Mini splits make zero sense the way we try to use them in the US, its a different story in other countries. The parts suppliers are ever- changing, the items go obsolete very quickly, and they are not, generally speaking, great quality, or backed well.

I would Echo Magicrat, go window shaker, PTAC, or go all out. The other option (mainly for larger shops) would be a packaged convertible unit. The Mini-split fills a void in the business that isn't really there.

 

[SALIV8]

Big Daddy-

if a ptac isnt a good solution because of the layout and brick exterior, forced air is no good because I dont want the ductwork thru the building, cant fish the space pak thru the walls, and the window shakers we have now are getting annoying pulling and replacing each season plus theyre energy hogs, what other options are there?

Im seriously thinking of a mini split, 4 zone LG art cool picture frame system. But they're expensive and not sure it they will last.

sorry AZ to derail your thread. I will keep an eye on your write ups.

Im very interested in mini splits.

 

[txbonds]

I have a 440 sq ft garage. The AC people calculated a 9k btu unit for me and I kept insisting on more. They insisted it was enough and I let them install it. Needless to say they had to come back and put in the one I originally wanted which is an 18k btu unit. Mines a Mitsubishi unit. My criteria to them was fast cool down, fast recovery from large door open, and ability to get down to 50 to 60 degree range if I wanted. I'm in FL and leave it running all the time around 74 degrees. I also have a dehumidifier running full time set to around 55 to 60 percent.

The above said, I had low expanding foam pumped into the walls on top of the original fiberglass stuff. 55 holes drilled and patched. Also had a high level of blown white insulation blown above ceiling to match what my house had. And had solar radiation foil attached to rafters like my house has. And lastly had the garage door insulated with foam sheeting stuff.

I can now heat and cool it easier than the hous and it cost about the same as leaving a computer running. Love it. Best $3k installed money I could spend in the garage.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Big Daddy-

if a ptac isnt a good solution because of the layout and brick exterior, forced air is no good because I dont want the ductwork thru the building, cant fish the space pak thru the walls, and the window shakers we have now are getting annoying pulling and replacing each season plus theyre energy hogs, what other options are there?

Im seriously thinking of a mini split, 4 zone LG art cool picture frame system. But they're expensive and not sure it they will last.

sorry AZ to derail your thread. I will keep an eye on your write ups.

Im very interested in mini splits.

There is a solution for every problem, for sure. You have a lot of restrictions. You say you don't want to run duct, but really, that is the ONLY way to have even temperature. Finished ceiling? I would think about running minimal duct work if you don't want it "throughout" and mount the unit like this: Horizontal mount, at the ceiling, at the wall, and run square or spiral the the length of the space with diffusers cut in, reducing diameter as you run of course.

Or, if you are set on a mini-split Go the route you describe, or some variant-
like this:

 

[SALIV8]

There is a solution for every problem, for sure. You have a lot of restrictions. You say you don't want to run duct, but really, that is the ONLY way to have even temperature. Finished ceiling? I would think about running minimal duct work if you don't want it "throughout" and mount the unit like this: Horizontal mount, at the ceiling, at the wall, and run square or spiral the the length of the space with diffusers cut in, reducing diameter as you run of course.

Or, if you are set on a mini-split Go the route you describe, or some variant-
like this:

Thanks for the help. Yes finished ceiling with original crown molding throught. Maybe we can figure out a way to run the duct with minimal disruption.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

Round spiral or Oval spiral. Very "in" with the "industrial" crowd. But you mentioned Crown molding, so it may not fit the style (I am proposing exposed). You can also set the unit in the attic, and do basically the same deal with ductboard and do drops down the middle of the space. Use a nice round register or even do rectangle and do a fancy brass one, if that is your style. Lots of options. With the attic mount, there is a requirement in most areas for an aux drain pain, and the line to come out over a window so if the aux pan is in use, you know you have an issue. In some areas, this is required for exposed units, but probably not needed in a garage if you keep valuables that are water damagable somewhere other than directly below it.

 

[SALIV8]

Round spiral or Oval spiral. Very "in" with the "industrial" crowd. But you mentioned Crown molding, so it may not fit the style (I am proposing exposed). You can also set the unit in the attic, and do basically the same deal with ductboard and do drops down the middle of the space. Use a nice round register or even do rectangle and do a fancy brass one, if that is your style. Lots of options. With the attic mount, there is a requirement in most areas for an aux drain pain, and the line to come out over a window so if the aux pan is in use, you know you have an issue. In some areas, this is required for exposed units, but probably not needed in a garage if you keep valuables that are water damagable somewhere other than directly below it.

Thanks BD. there is no attic and I finished the basement without thinking about the "future" forced air... I think a duct trunkline through the bedrooms might be ok, then registers all along common walls. Maybe a central return? Im back and forth and maybe the window shakers will stay for a bit until the wife and I figure something out.

 

[My Old Tools]

Funny, the ductless mini-split is the standard in the rest of the world. Why not here? Ever been to the Caribbean? That's all you will see in hot, humid climate. Having experienced both the ductless mini-splits and PTACs, I would never, ever put in one of those noisy PTACs. They take up prime space down low where every shop needs it instead of up high out of the way too. A shop is generally a big open space. Move the air around with a ceiling fan and a mini-split should work fine. In the Caribbean, we just open the doors and the bedroom units cool the whole place.

 

[AZpilot]

Been doing HVAC for a few years now (just shy of 2 decades) and I would NOT recommend mini-splits. If you want ductless in this size go with a PTAC (hotel room unit). They are basically disposable, less costly than a mini- split, can be heat pump or A/C, with or without electric heat.

Mini splits make zero sense the way we try to use them in the US, its a different story in other countries. The parts suppliers are ever- changing, the items go obsolete very quickly, and they are not, generally speaking, great quality, or backed well.

I would Echo Magicrat, go window shaker, PTAC, or go all out. The other option (mainly for larger shops) would be a packaged convertible unit. The Mini-split fills a void in the business that isn't really there.

A PTAC does not work for me. I have seen numerous opinions both pro and con for Mini split ac. The reason I went with LG is they have a parts system and commonality between units that should support mine for the 10 years I expect of life from this unit.

 

[AZpilot]

sorry AZ to derail your thread. I will keep an eye on your write ups.

No problem. The more info displayed the more people get the help they need. The whole reason for these forums. Besides those guys that post about their 3,000 sq ft garage mahals that I will never have. LOL.