Heat main area or near pipes?

[LaneRover]

I have a garage that now has an apartment above it that is heated. It is heated by a mini-split system and that makes me nervous in 2 situations.

1) When the temps dip to single digits or below will the mini-split be able to keep up as there is currently no heat downstairs.

2) if there is an ice storm or other power outage then the mini split obviously won't work.

Because of this I am thinking about putting in a propane heater that has no outside power requirements. The downstairs of the building is currently in 2 sections. The entry way, stairs and storage for the upstairs apartment, this is also where the plumbing comes in. Water lines are insulated with heat tape on them. The other section is the garage. But above the garage is the kitchen and at the far end the full bath.

Though there is a big part of me that just wants to put the heat in the garage area for my own good if I need to be over there in February should I put the emergency heat where the pipes come in? Or do I risk the pipes in the full bath freezing because they are then far from any heat source during a power failure?

Thoughts?

 

[Bretny]

Is this a place you seldom visit in winter? If so drain and blow out the pipes, heat tape and pray on the rest.

What kind of propane heater dosnt use electrical? One of those ventless blue flame ones?

 

[LaneRover]

In-laws live in it about 7-8 months a year. Currently in Florida BUT they hoped to leave it for my sister-in-law and family to come visit on week-ends from Mass. BUT I may just choose to shut off the water and drain the pipes.

Yes on the ventless blue flame - the thermostat and ignition is taken care of by battery.

I also have a cottage on the property where the heater isn't ventless, has a pilot but requires no external power source.

My feeling is that putting it in the main garage area would actually heat a larger area and thus be better overall as the heat would work its way up.

 

[Kaizen]

What kind of minisplit is it?
I’m confused in the layout. Is there any other heat source in the building besides the mini? If so what?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LaneRover]

What kind of minisplit is it?
I’m confused in the layout. Is there any other heat source in the building besides the mini? If so what?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Heat source is only the mini-split upstairs in the apartment. Big unit in the main living area, smaller unit in master bedroom.

Currently no heat downstairs at all and no other heat source.

 

[Kaizen]

Heat source is only the mini-split upstairs in the apartment. Big unit in the main living area, smaller unit in master bedroom.



Currently no heat downstairs at all and no other heat source.

I asked about the specific kind as that will tell you if it will or not. A Mitsubishi will be good to single digits. If it’s a good brand I’d just get a couple of electric space heaters in case of issues.
Think I’d also just have a generator on the property in case of an outage.
If the building had nat gas I’d say go for the heater as you wouldn’t have to worry about supply


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LaneRover]

Sorry, I should have said that I don't know the brand off the top of my head.

I have also considered some of the oil filled radiant oil heaters. Right now downstairs I have a small space heater on a thermal switch that turns on at 33 or 35 and turns back off at 45 degrees.

Thanks

 

[Kaizen]

Run it for the next three days. Think you will have some single digit temps so can get a good idea how well it does


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LaneRover]

It’s running and has been. I am more worried about a power outage in the future than it falling behind in Frigid weather

Luckily when no one is there we just keep it at the lowest setting of 60 and overall the place is insulated quite well.

 

[LaneRover]

The mini-split system is by Daiken.

Until I have a more permanent set-up - which should be in the next month. I have an oil filled electric radiator in the main garage area on a thermo cube that turns on at 35 and back off at 45.

If we lose power I have a mr heater little buddy heater set up and ready to turn on.

 

[LaneRover]

So last night with temps nearing 0 I went to check out the apartment. The temp inside the place was 58.5 and all along it had been at 60. Not keeping up - but overall not bad. As a just in case I left the space heater on down in the garage.

In the morning with temps right at 0 I stopped by and the temp was actually just over 59, I think that was more the sun coming up rather than any help from the space heater in the garage. So I decided to update my in-laws and after telling them that heater wasn't quite keeping up when it was 0 out they told me, "Oh, Brian the guy doing the bathroom was able to turn the heat down to 58 yesterday afternoon . . . .

I let them know that in the future they really need to tell the person who is driving over and checking out their place for them those little tidbits . . .