Heating/Air Conditioning

[Will McRay]

I have searched and read a lot of posts about this topic, but nothing that really answered my questions.. I have a 30x60 shop with a floor space of 1600 sq ft and 12 ft ceilings. Upstairs I have a 14x36 area for storage.

I am going to pull wire to pre-stage for heat or air. For the shop level, I can't find anything to sway me to put any cool air in the shop area. I am leaning more towards electic heat since I don't have NG or LP. I was thinking three 240v 7500 watt heats for the winter. I think that should take the chill off and allow me to work when the temps are in the teens.

Upstairs is the big question.. It's for storage and I plan to make a little office and I thought to climate control that area with a mini-split. Seems to be the most cost effective from reading other posts.

I have seen a lot of post using many different methods to heat the shop area. So what are folks using to cool (if needed). I have a small port-a-cooler and use that for areas I am working and does well..

Am I on the right path?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Upstairs is the big question.. It's for storage and I plan to make a little office and I thought to climate control that area with a mini-split. Seems to be the most cost effective from reading other posts.

I have seen a lot of post using many different methods to heat the shop area. So what are folks using to cool (if needed). I have a small port-a-cooler and use that for areas I am working and does well.

First where are you located and how much insulation do you have ?

If LP and NG are out of the equation, a mini-split heat pump will be your best solution. Most of them now come with the outdoor unit capable of running 3-4 indoor "air handlers". They can have independent thermostats (so you don't have to cool the shop if you don't want to) or can be slaved together.

Your 30x60 shop will need at least 2 air handlers. Ceiling fans will help a lot. Obviously you would need a third for the office.


It won't be cheap to install, but it will be cheaper to operate than any other type of electric heat and you get A/C (if you want it) for FREE !

 

[This2ShallPass]

Wizard, what would you suggest for a garage where there is n gas easily accessible please?

 

[Will McRay]

I am located in Fredericksburg, VA. I have the walls open right now, but will insulate. I am pulling 240v lines I need in the shop right now and want to investigate the best heating and cooling to determine what power need to support it and pre-stage the line. I plane to R-19 the wall and R-30 the ceiling. I have one bay that has cathedral ceiling where the lift is so there is going to heated dead space. The remaining three bays are at 12 foot ceilings. I have an upstairs (14x36) and will also insulate and want to heat and cool. This is the primary area for heating and cooling due to being used for storage and a small office. The shop area, heat for the winter and if cooling comes with it, its a benny..

I do believe a mini-split is worth the effort to research. As stated above, the cost upfront could be worth the long run. I just need to research and may be have a rep from a mini-split company come out and looking the garage over and provide recommendations.

Any other good words of recommendations is certainly welcome...

Will