Help me with my garage office

[twosocks90]

We have a 42x80x12 pole barn and inside I built a 225 sq ft office and a 40 sq ft bathroom attached to the office. I'm about to finish framing and then install insulation and such. There's already a slider window installed.

My initial thought was to keep things simple (cheap!) and use electric baseboard heat and a window A/C unit mounted through the wall. Then I found out that window A/C is different from through-the-wall A/C units, and that through the wall units are like $400-600.

I've been reading and searching for days. I've considered PTACs, portable A/C units (don't want one), MrCool 12k mini-split, and everything in between.

I need some suggestions! I don't really have money to burn but it seems stupid to put in $150 in baseboard heaters/thermostat plus a $500 A/C unit when a mini split is about $1,100 from Costco. However I am afraid the 12k MrCool is too oversized and I will not get good humidity control.

Help me decide before I go nuts here!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You can use a "regular" window unit as long as the wall you want to put it through isn't thick enough to block any of the airflow on the condenser louvers.

Tommy

 

[JerryC]

And... There's window units with heat.

 

[twosocks90]

The walls are 2x6 plus 1/2" OSB on each side. I'll look more closely at Window A/C's to see if they might work.

What about these? I've never heard of Cooper and Hunter but the size is right and the idea of less noise in the office is very appealing to me. Anyone have experience with these?

https://minisplits4less.com/single-zone-air-conditioners/cooling-btu-h/9-000

 

[dcg9381]

. I've considered PTACs, portable A/C units (don't want one), MrCool 12k mini-split, and everything in between.


Help me decide before I go nuts here!

It really depends on the use case, budget, and personal level of being "handy" (this can offset the budget a bit).

I've done PTACs, Mini-splits, and we've all used a window unit.

I ASSUME you're only cooling the office. You have not detailed what level of insulation you have (if any) on the pole barn or if you're insulating the office. Insulation will be a huge factor.

A couple of points to consider:

• Window unit - dead simple. Really easy to install. Not very expensive. Can be replaced easily. Not very efficient, but that's not a factor if you're not cooling much space. Some of these units have heat strips, which is an advantage if you're in a "really cold" climate over a straight heat pump. Warranty applies.
• PTAC - This is basically the same as above, can be bigger than a window unit, it's more expensive and it might be considered an improvement from the "look" of a window unit. If it has heat stips, same advantage as above when it's really cold. Typically not very efficient. As you are framing things, I assume that installing an opening for this is no problem. Warranty applies.
• Ductless - Probably the most expensive, more difficult to install - but can be done by DIY with a moderate degree of being handy. You may have to buy some tools to do the install, factor in another $200 or so. Can be very efficient. I'm not "as concerned" about your over-cooling that space - these are inverter technology and can throttle back their ability to heat/cool. Most are good to "pretty darn cold" for heat, but they are heat pumps and eventually hit limits - easy to supplement that little space with an electrical heater if needed. Assume NO WARRANTY unless you get one of the Mr. Cool systems or have someone else install and commission it. Stay away from the "no name" (China) units.

 

[bathwalter]

Mini-Split Heat Pump units are a great way to heat and cool a garage since they are small and are low-cost to operate.

The MRCOOL DIY Series of Heat pump mini split units are the easiest kits to install.

The line set comes already in a vacuum that the seal is broken when bolted up.

This means there is no need for a vacuum pump or gauges with simply bolting the line set to the outside condenser.

I installed a Mr Cool on my garage and it has been working very well during the summer and winter both heating and cooling.

The one downside to Mr Cool units is they do cost more but may be worth it for anyone looking for the quick and easiest unit to install.

 

[yeldogt]

What are your electric rates ..... how cold does it get ... is the office on an outside wall.

I'm assuming just the office will have any type of conditioning?

It sounds like you may go with a single point source .. Make sure the bathroom is well insulated and I would put a strip of electric baseboard in there w/ a wall thermostat. Cheap and easy .. fast heat.

 

[twosocks90]

Our winter electric rate is quite reasonable since we're on a heat pump (all-electric) rate. (The house has geothermal.)

Located in Nebraska. It gets cold for sure but it's not insanely cold like those farther north of us. The bathroom is very well insulated and has a small baseboard heater & thermostat for those times I do not want to heat the entire office space. I can just keep the bathroom above freezing.

What about the Cooper & Hunter units? I have a vacuum pump and gauges so that's not a concern. Is C&H a known brand or is it "Chinese junk"? The price seems reasonable enough.