Thinking of insulating and finishing my small shed (8x10) to use as an office. Austin, TX based, hence very hot much of the year. Would a small mini split make sense for this space (or is this a bad idea altogether?)? Seems like 6K BTUs would be overkill but what would be the alternative? Would need heat in the short winter to make it usable year round.
Mini split for 8' x 10' shed
- Thread starter Wahoo
- Start date
Phuckin' Jim
Well-known member
For where you are, I would just use one of those $425 confortotal mini splits from ebay.
For well under $500, you'd have heat and A/C.
Works off a regular receptacle too.
For well under $500, you'd have heat and A/C.
Works off a regular receptacle too.
ace10
Well-known member
$600 will get you a very good Delonghi Pinguino portable unit. As long as you have a window to mount the vent.
Two downsides would be that they're not virtually silent like a minisplit and they take up a couple of square feet.
Two downsides would be that they're not virtually silent like a minisplit and they take up a couple of square feet.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Can't /don't want a window unit? That would cost about $100-200 and be a far simpler install.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You could add a window and still have a simpler project, or do a through wall unit.
Mini splits are nice, but that seems way over thrlr top for a 8x10. Your money and effort though, get what makes you happy
Any decent inverter mini split will ramp down to perhaps 1/3rd of the rated output. Yes it will cycle but it will work. Can you find a 6K BTU? The smallest I see is 9K.
I also wonder if just a window AC wouldn't be best for the situation. Just cut and frame in a hole in the wall, $150 will get you AC.
Thanks. I agree that just cutting and framing an AC unit would be the cheapest. Maybe I use a portable heater for the limited winter we get here. Thanks all for the advice.
ace10
Well-known member
The Delonghi Pinguinos are able to produce heat. And the vent doesn't block the entire window.
You can buy a window heat pump unit but for the extra expense a cheap window AC and a plug in heater will work.
Thanks. i think I'll go with the wall unit AC and a portable heater. What about insulating the ceiling? I've got 2x4 rafters so not much room, and no vents currently. Can I do a hot installation or do I need venting between the ceiling installation and the roof underlayment?
I suspect you could also maybe inset another "window" in your 8 x 10 and put it on any wall you want. That would leave you the option of a window unit and still keep the window. Why not add 2 more windows while you are at it. Natural light is important while working, I agree.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is the ceiling open to the rafters/trusses? If so, I'd consider a ceiling to hold insulation and separate the working space from the "attic". Add a couple vents in the soffit and then either in the gables or along the ridge
Syberia
Well-known member
I use a 9k Pioneer on a 12x10 shed with barn roof, R13 in walls and rigid foam between the rafters. No problems maintaining 75 on a 110 degree day, and I've never seen it pull more than 700 watts. Runs on 110 (in fact I put a cord on it and plugged it into a regular outlet) and according to the spec sheet can throttle down to ~3,400 btu in both heating and cooling.
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Also in case you are wondering a smaller window unit that can do AC and heat will probably handle your needs easily and still be on a 120 circuit so your power needs will be much easier. I work at a manufacturing site and throughout they have several of those cubby/office buildings for remote weather shelters and work area. They have the window units like those. They keep them really cool in the summer and in the winter I have walked into them and its a sweat box. They don't have a lot of insulation but they are those metal panel boxes so maybe 2 to 3 inch thick panel that are just screwed together with a roof patch on it.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow, that's a tight space for an office.
Maybe just some polyiso (the foil covered stuff) on the roof. Good insulation and it will reflect light.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you could fur the ceiling out to fit r19, that would help a lot if the roof will have sun exposure. The use fiberglass Batts
Is the roof already complete? If it isn't shingles, adding a layer of foam board on top would help too
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I am no insulation expert, but I think I would defer to maintaining as much headroom as possible.
If the roof lasts half as long because of it, it's a very small project to replace it.
I imagine it has A frame rafters, no collar ties on that small of a building. I would leave air space under the roof, best if you could ventilate it, perhaps simply add a ridge vent.
As for insulation, you could attach rigid foam board across the rafters, then screw sheet rock over the foam board. Use good stuff, like Owens Corning Foamular 2" will give you an R10, good enough for that small shed.
As for insulation, you could attach rigid foam board across the rafters, then screw sheet rock over the foam board. Use good stuff, like Owens Corning Foamular 2" will give you an R10, good enough for that small shed.
quickfarms
Well-known member
I would tear off the shingles put felt down on the plywood, install about 3” thick rigid poly iso roof insulation and another layer of plywood and a new roof. If you are careful the screws will go into the existing roof rafters and you will not loose any height and gain about R30
captaindiode
Well-known member
Try researching a "hot roof". You don't necessarily have to vent the underside, but the details matter.
www.greenbuildingadvisor.com
PODCAST: How to Insulate an Unvented Roof - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Attics are a great place to reclaim living space without the expense of an addition. If you have the headroom, you can gain at least one extra room by finishing your attic. But with energy codes requiring more and more insulation, it can be difficult to pack all of that R-value into the skinny...
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You can get a small window shaker for $100 that will everything you want. Just cut a hole and trim it out. My uncle puts those in his shop office out in his barn. He bought them cheap on black Friday one time and even has a spare they were so cheap.