Mini-split question

[dmat]

Hey, First post here.

I live in Central Texas, and I've got a shop that I just built and I need advice on ac/heat for it. Here are the specs:

The building is built by Tuff-shed, is built on a concrete slab, and measures 16' x 20' , with 7' side walls, a loft covers 8 feet of one end, at a height of 8' (joists start at 7'), double doors at each end, with a single 2x2 window mid way on each long wall. Walls are insulated wit R-13, and the gambrell roof is insulated with radiant barrier OSB and R-19 batts. I'm currently in the process of putting up 7/16" OSB on the inside instead of sheetrock.

I'm looking at putting in a 12000 btu minisplit/heat pump, but my budget is pretty limited. Can anybody recommend a good, low-cost brand and model to put in, and what advice would you offer?

Thanks!
Dow

P. S. Not sure if this makes a difference or not, but it will be used for woodworking (turning, cabinetry, etc.).

 

[mike93lx]

Lowest cost option is a Freidrich Breeze at 1600-2000 depending on size. I have the larger one in my living room and love it. The system is precharged and you can diy the install without needing any special skills.

 

[rburke65]

As a side note, welcome to The Garage Journal, to you both, from Ohio! Good luck with your shop!

 

[Fueler]

another possibility:
http://www.heatandcool.com/INVERTER-DUCTLESS-SPLIT-A-C-H-P-p/ksid012-h115q.htm

 

[zebopman]

I have a mini split in my garage. Bought it on Ebay. You have lot of choices in one spot and it will come right to your door. BTW the mini spit is so quite I can't tell if it is on or off. I really like the system.

 

[dmat]

Thanks for the welcome and advice. I'm seeing similar pricing for 110v and 220v units wiith the same btu rating. Any idea if either is better/worse?

Here's an example:
220v: http://tinyurl.com/oslx6pm

110v: http://tinyurl.com/pgxlggw

 

[toyotadriver]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247895

 

[dmat]

Thanks for the link to the build thread. Good stuff there. I was a little put off about the off size of the flare nuts. Small thing, I know, but just strikes me as a little weird. On the other hand, the fact that highseer has parts available sounds good. Thanks!

 

[dmat]

Update. I ended up ordering a Pioneer 12000btu heat pump unit from highseer.com. Should be here early next week. I'm hoping that all goes well with the shipping and that it is a quality product. Installation looks to be straightforward, although I need to get another circuit run for it. Wish I had thought of it before wiring the shop. Would have been cheaper.

Thanks again for the help and advice. I'll let you know when I get it set up.

 

[Pawl]

I just finished installing a Pioneer 22k today. Took about 4 days to get it delivered. I was impressed with the looks of it. And it cooled down my 20 x 40 x12 space in a hurry. Installation was easy except my Lineset was too long.
I should have downgraded to the 10 ft and saved $25. I didn't have a good flare tool so I had to lay out the 16 ft lines in a serpentine fashion between the studs.
Anyhow it's done now and working good.

 

[dmat]

good to hear, Pawl. thanks!

 

[themow]

Hey Pawl,

Any chance you can upload a photo of what you did with the line set?
Also--These units have a minimum line set length. Its possible that the 10ft length would not have been so great for your compressor.

What did you use to bend the copper?

 

[jeopardy98]

I'm following this to see what you come up with because I'm building a garage/house and I'll be running a 220 for the mini split but I won't be able to purchase one for at least a while. I'm interested to see how yours turns out though. Any tips you can give me to do before the drywall goes in would be helpful.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

1 T seems small for that size room in Texas. I have a 12.5 to do the kitchen and living room in a modest sized cape cod in NJ...

Tommy

 

[Pawl]

Hey Pawl,

Any chance you can upload a photo of what you did with the line set?
Also--These units have a minimum line set length. Its possible that the 10ft length would not have been so great for your compressor.

What did you use to bend the copper?

I think 10 foot would be fine. They actually sell a 10 ft Lineset as a option.
I was able to bend the 3/8 by hand. The 5/8 was harder so I made a jig out of plywood. I cut out three circles, one being smaller I sandwiched it in the center of the other two. And bend the tubing around that. The tubing fit real snug side to side. It worked real well. I also separated the two lines inthe Lineset so it would be easier to bend. Split the insulatin cover so I could see the copper and know I wasn't kinking it.

 

[ssbtech]

Is condensation going to be an issue with the lineset in the wall like that?

 

[dmat]

1 T seems small for that size room in Texas. I have a 12.5 to do the kitchen and living room in a modest sized cape cod in NJ...

Tommy

Well, it's 320 sq. ft., and all of the calculators I found advised that that should be enough. Additionally, it won't be running during the heat of the day that much, as I'll be at work. This is primarily for nights and weekends. My experience has been that if you can get a place cool, then you can keep it cool fairly easily. Anyway, it's what I can afford, so it'll have to do. It's not like I need to keep it at 64 degrees, like I do in my server room at work.

 

[joshgn]

I finally got my 2ton/24k btu Pioneer Unit installed today. Its in a 650 sq ft room with a 12ft vaulted ceiling.

The unit cools greats, but I have one question/issue.

Is there a setting where the fan will actually shut off? The outside will shut off when the desired temp is reached, but the inside fan runs all the time...

Anyone else notice this?

 

[CoopVA]

I finally got my 2ton/24k btu Pioneer Unit installed today. Its in a 650 sq ft room with a 12ft vaulted ceiling.

The unit cools greats, but I have one question/issue.

Is there a setting where the fan will actually shut off? The outside will shut off when the desired temp is reached, but the inside fan runs all the time...

Anyone else notice this?

Mine does that too. Sometimes the vents close up when the outside unit shuts off. I think that only happened in heat mode.

 

[Pawl]

My fan runs all the time also. I think that is the way it is designed to keep the air moving and monitor the temp.
I noticed when on auto the fan will vary in speed depending on how much difference in the set point and room temp.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Well, it's 320 sq. ft., and all of the calculators I found advised that that should be enough. Additionally, it won't be running during the heat of the day that much, as I'll be at work. This is primarily for nights and weekends. My experience has been that if you can get a place cool, then you can keep it cool fairly easily. Anyway, it's what I can afford, so it'll have to do. It's not like I need to keep it at 64 degrees, like I do in my server room at work.

I get it. Sounds like sensitive servers. Haven't been in a server room that needed to be below 70 in a LONG time...

Tommy

 

[dmat]

Not that sensitive, but they do put off a lot of heat, and the regualr AC in the building can't couldn't keep up with them without freezing out all of the employees, so we blocked that room off from the regular ac and installed a mini-split. I've got the cooling capacity, so I use it.