Mini-Split Configuration for this garage

[kwschumm]

I'm Shopping HVAC systems for this shop. Was planning to use a conventional heat pump but all the talk about mini-splits has me curious. What type of mini-split would be good for this shop layout? Would two smaller units work better? Looking for fairly even heating and cooling and I was thinking a wall-mount mini-split wouldn't distribute air to all corners of the shop. Now reconsidering. Shop is 44x34, 14 ft ceilings, insulated in Western WA.

Thanks for your ideas?

 

[garagelogician]

Are you doing to DIY or have a HVAC contractor install? They should be able to give you some guidance. Mini splits do a lot of "thinking" and like to run at lower capacity for a longer time. This is good for controlling humidity. If you want multiple heads, you can get systems that will run them off one outdoor condenser. Are you planning for a lift? Ceiling fans should be able to move the cool air around if you can coordinate their location around the lift.

Are you going to be opening and closing big doors very frequently? If not, 600 sqft/ton should be a decent assumption, which will put you at about 2.5 tons.

 

[kwschumm]

Are you doing to DIY or have a HVAC contractor install? They should be able to give you some guidance. Mini splits do a lot of "thinking" and like to run at lower capacity for a longer time. This is good for controlling humidity. If you want multiple heads, you can get systems that will run them off one outdoor condenser. Are you planning for a lift? Ceiling fans should be able to move the cool air around if you can coordinate their location around the lift.

Are you going to be opening and closing big doors very frequently? If not, 600 sqft/ton should be a decent assumption, which will put you at about 2.5 tons.

I'll have a contractor install regardless of the equipment. Yes, a lift will go in the left bay. The doors will not be opened very often, I'd guess maybe twice a week on average.

 

[glentre]

I got prices for a mini split with two heads for my 1100 sq ft garage but was floored by the high cost. Went with a Bard wall mounted heat pump with 10kw backup heat at half the price of the mini. It's not as quiet as the mini would be but, after all, it's a garage.

Glen

 

[MushCreek]

A lot of it depends upon what you call 'insulated'. Our house in upstate SC has a cooling load of 9K BTU (3/4 ton), and a heating load of 12K Btu, or one ton. A single 12K mini does a great job. BUT- Our house is ICF, very tight, and carefully designed to be energy efficient. We have a smaller 9K unit in the master suite, but rarely need it. Our house is 1400 square feet. There are programs you can find to calculate Manual J- that's what I did.

As for cost- I have two top-of-the-line Mitsubishi HyperHeat units, and I have about $4K in it, including hiring a licensed A/C guy to do the final connections. A local contractor wanted double that for the same equipment turn-key.

 

[holt2ton]

Cost is one of those things where yes you still have to consider it but, what is the return in operating cost? I put a dual unit Daikin system in my attic turned bedrooms. up front cost was around $4K. The nice things was that there wasn't much of a increase in our electric rate. These units are super popular in Europe where energy costs are much higher. The efficiency of these units is pretty incredible. As far as the configuration goes, your installer should be able to tell you whats best for you.