Mini Split Install Complete

[TRLKC]

I've been wanting to add heat and AC to my 24' x 30' freestanding garage/shop for over 20 years. This year was it! I opted for the Cooper Hunter 24,000 BTU Mia. I waited for a sale and got $150 off the regular price. Truck shipment to my rural lake community was flawless and the truck driver backed into the driveway and to the garage door and set the lift gate down almost inside the garage! Installation was simple and did most of it except the final commissioning. I had a certified/licensed HVAC tech I know make the final copper connections and the vacuum and pressure test the system as specified in the manual, NOTE, this is a requirement for the warranty and the technicians license number is required when registering the warranty. Thus far less than a dozen uses, it's been GREAT! so nice to have climate controlled garage/shop. I did purchase the additional $50 WiFi dongle which is very nice. I like having the ability to turn the system on and off remotely. Nice to be able to start heating or cooling before you're going to occupy the space. So far, I'm very pleased with this units performance.

 

[rockcrawler]

Congratulations. I’m in the process of installing 2 24K Pioneer mini-splits myself. Like you, I’m so ready for a climate controlled shop.

 

[middleclassmods]

That looks nice! What is your climate where you are located? How long does it take to take the chill off if you haven't run it for a while and its cold outside? (I know this is NOT a scientific question at all with many variables) just generally speaking.. I just bought the 18k MIA unit and my garage is 624 sq feet. I paid 200 bucks for mine at a pallet auction and picked it up this morning. All the boxes are factory sealed and look to be in good physical shape so I am pumped! Curious about how quick you can change the shop temp! Thanks!

 

[fitter30]

How high does the snow get? If snow isn't a problem the defrost cycle in heat the coil will drips water out the bottom of unit. Read their install manual sad that they don't mention snow or raising the unit for the water to run faster out the hose.

 

[murd]

Looks great. Your photo reminds me to put spot out back for the disconnect on the siding when I do mine.

 

[TRLKC]

That looks nice! What is your climate where you are located? How long does it take to take the chill off if you haven't run it for a while and its cold outside? (I know this is NOT a scientific question at all with many variables) just generally speaking.. I just bought the 18k MIA unit and my garage is 624 sq feet. I paid 200 bucks for mine at a pallet auction and picked it up this morning. All the boxes are factory sealed and look to be in good physical shape so I am pumped! Curious about how quick you can change the shop temp! Thanks!

Our climate is hot and muggy summers (80-100 degrees with 70 - 80+ % humidity). Winters range from mild to cold (usually in the 30 and 40's can get in the negatives occasionally). Didn't have a lot of hot weather after it was installed but did have a few days in the upper 80's where I tried it. Cooled nicely and surprisingly quickly. Yesterday, the garage was 40 degrees I kicked on the heat (via WiFi phone app, LOVE IT!) Note: the units lowest heat setting is 62 degrees. The garage was up to 62 in about 30 minutes. I was impressed! This is within the context that this is a garage shop and I've had over 20 years of sweating and freezing in there over those years. My goal was to get it comfortable to work in, not to control the climate like a living space.

fitter30: We don't get much snow here. Occasionally 2" - 3" with the VERY RARE 12" - 14" event. I chose to keep it on the slab I poured. My homes heat pump has lived on one for decades and functioned well. I didn't want to wall mount the unit for two reasons. 1. I didn't want to transfer vibration into the building and primarily 2. I didn't want to have to do additional siding work to properly mount the brackets to the wall. While I see it done, you really shouldn't just screw the brackets to the siding to allow for siding expansion and contraction. I'd have needed to mount vertical blocking for the brackets, broke clay aluminum to wrap it then J channeled to it. Truthfully, it was just easier forming and pouring a slab.

Hurd: Yes, cutting in and mounting a J block is the way you want to mount your disconnect for the same reasons of expansion and contraction mentioned above. I did add some wooden backing block inside the J block for secure mounting of the disconnect box.

 

[pcmeiners]

For northerners........As Fitter30 points out, min-splits may need to be raised due to average snow height . The other purpose is to keep dirt and leaves off the coil area. I am in PA, I get about 12" of fallen Oak leaves, even after leaf cleanup the leaves are still an issue, I purposely raised my (5) outside units 12-14" off slabs to avoid snow, dirt, leaves and a possible home environment for 4 legged creatures.

 

[middleclassmods]

Our climate is hot and muggy summers (80-100 degrees with 70 - 80+ % humidity). Winters range from mild to cold (usually in the 30 and 40's can get in the negatives occasionally). Didn't have a lot of hot weather after it was installed but did have a few days in the upper 80's where I tried it. Cooled nicely and surprisingly quickly. Yesterday, the garage was 40 degrees I kicked on the heat (via WiFi phone app, LOVE IT!) Note: the units lowest heat setting is 62 degrees. The garage was up to 62 in about 30 minutes. I was impressed! This is within the context that this is a garage shop and I've had over 20 years of sweating and freezing in there over those years. My goal was to get it comfortable to work in, not to control the climate like a living space.

fitter30: We don't get much snow here. Occasionally 2" - 3" with the VERY RARE 12" - 14" event. I chose to keep it on the slab I poured. My homes heat pump has lived on one for decades and functioned well. I didn't want to wall mount the unit for two reasons. 1. I didn't want to transfer vibration into the building and primarily 2. I didn't want to have to do additional siding work to properly mount the brackets to the wall. While I see it done, you really shouldn't just screw the brackets to the siding to allow for siding expansion and contraction. I'd have needed to mount vertical blocking for the brackets, broke clay aluminum to wrap it then J channeled to it. Truthfully, it was just easier forming and pouring a slab.

Hurd: Yes, cutting in and mounting a J block is the way you want to mount your disconnect for the same reasons of expansion and contraction mentioned above. I did add some wooden backing block inside the J block for secure mounting of the disconnect box.

Thank you for your response. It sounds like I’m in a similar situation to you and I appreciate that information very much. I was thinking of pouring a slab, but after a little more reading, I think I had better get it up off the ground a foot or so. I’m glad you are enjoying your new setup and good for you after all these years to treating yourself to heat and cooling in your space. I’ll bet it’s so much more enjoyable to work there!

 

[larry4406]

Nice install!

OP - Update your profile to at least include your state. Will be helpful with future inquiries in getting a proper regional response.