looking for a good small wall AC/Heater unit.

[bluesman2a]

Hey all,

I'm getting ready to put together a bathroom in the shop. I want to put in a separate AC/Heat unit in there. What is a good one, any suggestions on where to look/shop?

Specifics:

Room is 10X10 with 8-10' ceiling, well insulated.
Framing is 2X6 wall.
I need a unit that mounts through the wall.
It needs to be both heat and AC.
Would prefer a 220V unit.
Would prefer an energy star unit.
Would prefer something in the sub $700 or cheaper (if possible).

Not sure if a PTAC unit is right for me or not, but I think I would prefer a more traditional window unit unless there are compelling reasons not to. Any advice in this direction would be appreciated.

 

[oldgoat]

You can get dual window units or PTAC's although for that small I would think that the window unit would be the better unit. I'm kind of confused why the need for one in a bathroom.

 

[d33pt]

well you want to be comfortable when you're taking a ****.

 

[bluesman2a]

I'm kind of confused why the need for one in a bathroom.

My shop is actually fairly segmented, so each section can be closed off and heated/cooled by itself. It's also detached from the house. We would like to have the bathroom do double duty as a kennel for our dog. So while I may not always want to heat/cool the shop, I will want an area where the dog can escape the heat of a Georgia summer. In the winter I will want to keep just that room warm enough that the pipes don't freeze, oh and the dog has short hair, so if it's really cold, she'll need something warmer too.

well you want to be comfortable when you're taking a ****.

Of course the dog is a good story for the wife, but I think you've taken us to the heart of the matter.

 

[BillGalbraith]

You might investigate the GE Zoneline line of units. It is the type used in motel rooms, one piece through the wall. I've spec'ed one for my upcoming garage build. Total cost for the 15,000 BTU unit, to heat/cool 28x28 is $1051, but since you have a smaller space, you can get a smaller unit.

 

[oldgoat]

Sounds like a good reason then. When I was looking they had window units that were both heat and ac. I think that you can get them through places like Lowe's and I believe I have seen them at Wallyworld. The portable ones though I wouldn't consider. In my case I just put a regular window unit in and a ventless gas heater.

 

[Joe Reed]

I installed a heat/cool window unit from Sears through the wall in my garage...and it only cost somewhere around $500-$600 (don't remember exactly). It's an 18,000 cool/13,000 heat unit. It keeps my two car garage very comfy winter or summer when I run it. I'd think a smaller,less expensive unit would be perfect for what you want.

 

[burleymike]

I have no idea if these guys are any good, but it looks like they have what you want.

http://www.ptacunits.com/

 

[twostory]

$1,200 will get you a 9k or 12k BTU ductless heat pump system that is "energy star" rates.

For $900 you can get a 9K (non energy star)

http://www.ductlessdepot.net/products-type-2.html

May want to rethink the issue and heat/cool your bathroom & one of the other rooms. The problem is they do not seem to make a small 2k BTU system which is all your bathroom would really need.

 

[Mustanger]

Used a lot of the ductless systems overseas and they work great. Only pro/con I would have (can go either way depending on your point of view) is that with a ductless system, you have two different systems that could fail - inside and outside units, and two systems to place appropriately. Swapped more than a few of each out - pretty straight forward installation.

 

[bucs012]

We go to Hawaii alot on vacation. Most houses we rent tend to run the ductless units and have 2 to 4 units hanging on walls through-out the house. They have always worked great for us when we're there. Most were Sylvanias.

This is the way I will end up going in my garage.

 

[AV8OR]

When you make the hole in the wall oversize it by two or three inches both width and height. This years A/C unit might not be around in ten years when it comes time to replace it and the extra wiggle room will come in handy vs. having to cut a bigger hole.