Mini Split too $$$ - Looking at LG thru wall

[The_Tango]

Well the local guys are talking about $2500-$3000 for a 12K mini split system. I can't justify that kind of money for a 22x22 garage/shop that will only be used a few evenings a week.

So I am starting to look at LG thru-wall units since LG holds the top spots on the latest Comsumer Reports. Anyone have first hand experience with any of the LG units?

 

[mpire]

Where are you getting that kind of pricing?

I got a smaller unit, but they have this one on sale for $950.

You will need some line and a little wire, but that's just about it.

I installed it myself. I bet you could do it in a weekend.

For me, running the wire was by far the hardest part.

http://www.acwholesalers.com/Ductless_Heat_Pump_air_conditioner_LG_mini_split_p/11300.htm

 

[randydupree]

I have 4 in my warehouse,they do a very good job,cooling 4000SF with 16' ceilings.

 

[Aussie Chris]

I don't know what it's like in the US, but I just bought a secondhand Fujitsu split system for $400. It's a cassette ceiling unit. About 8kw heating, 9kw heating, a decent sized unit for my 6m x 12m (20' x 40') garage.

Cheers,

Chris

 

[bad94sup]

I've been looking at a Sanyo 17,500 BTU heat and cooling mini-split unit that runs 1500.00 - plus of course installation materials.

 

[paris_tj]

I am not sure on LG, but I bought a 24k mini split, for $1000 delivered from best price mini splits, and that included the line-set and all.

 

[SmokeyDP]

I have 2 units and each has three 9k btu blowers on it. They run great and keep the house cold all summer long.

 

[The_Tango]

The pricing I got was from local HVAC companies, for a 12K Mr. Slim unit. Even at $1000 - that is twice the price of a LG thru-the-wall unit. I am assuming that the pricing does NOT include all the little items needed for installation (these add up).

 

[paris_tj]

Mine that was like $1028 delivered included everything needed, assuming you had electrical power where it was needed. I priced a 24k window and through wall and was at $700 or more on some, and the mini split is 5 times quieter and does not need a windows.

 

[mpire]

I would go mini-split all the way.

And they are cheap, with free shipping from dozens of online places.

 

[SmokeyDP]

The mini-split will cost you much less to run. My electric bill has dropped in half after I got rid of the window units and we keep the house at 76F all day, vs ran the window units only when we were home.

 

[rlitman]

The pricing I got was from local HVAC companies, for a 12K Mr. Slim unit. Even at $1000 - that is twice the price of a LG thru-the-wall unit. I am assuming that the pricing does NOT include all the little items needed for installation (these add up).

That's an -installed- price for $3000, right?
Yeah, the incidentals add up if you're doing it yourself (I think it ran about $500 for all the parts, on top of my unit), but the electric savings are real (even compared to energy-star window units). How expensive is electric in your area?

For me, the mini-split is a godsend. I've got a living room with a porch on one "exterior" wall, and a fireplace and casement windows on the other exterior wall. No windows to put a unit in, no wall space, and no place for a ceiling fan (which this serves as in fan mode when the windows are open). 1.5Tons cools my whole downstairs if I leave it running.

 

[ket-tek]

I bought two 24k minisplits for like $1200ea a couple years ago. They came with everything needed to install it, only thing I had to provide was the power feed to the outdoor unit.

 

[hmbemis]

Well the local guys are talking about $2500-$3000 for a 12K mini split system. I can't justify that kind of money for a 22x22 garage/shop that will only be used a few evenings a week.

I just (today) got a quote from local (but big) HVAC Co for a Fujitsu dual mini split, one 9K and one 18K indoor unit, the 24K outside.

The complete price including all aspects (and slim-duct cover outside) was $7400

After hearing that I sent the gentleman (was very nice) on his way, crammed my old reliable 8K into the window, plopped down on the couch in my underwear and called it a day

 

[The_Tango]

I am putting this in a Garage 22 x 22 - not a house. Time spent there would be a few hours an evening - not 24/7.

I am now leaning toward a PTAC/PTHP -Amana PTH12E Heat Pump. Cost about the same a Thru-Wall, but is a HP that does cooling & heating.

 

[buildmyown]

I have 110V 17 or 18k btu LG window unit in my living room. 20X30 with 14 foot ceilings the front wall is a 4 seasons green house that faces south gets sun all day. The room isnt sealed to the rest of the house there is an open doorway that is 4X8. Yesterday it was 97 out with very high humidity when i got home from work at 4PM the room was in the high 80's. Turned the AC on and within an hour it was down to 75 if i leave the unit set at 60 it will drop the room down to 60 within a few hours. Not sure of your electric cost in your area but my bill only goes up maybe $10 per month when im running the ac units. I also have a smaller LG in one of the bedrooms at the other end of the house with both running I can keep the whole place cool. Last year when I bought the large one for the living I wasnt expecting to work as well as it does and dont know how i lived so long without AC.

 

[J383P]

I just have a a/c company install two 40,000 btu in my barn. The barn has. 2500 sq upstairs and 3500 down stair. They are sanyo and they are great.

 

[Cobra6]

Look here -
https://www.ptacunits.com/products.aspx?cat=Room+Air+Window&subcat=Amana
I am going with an Amana TTW woth ~18K BTUs for around $650

You can get some for $500 - they are very reliable and should do well in that size garage.

 

[Mach5]

I'm contemplating a split system for my garage -- roughly 16X20. I figure I can run conduit on the outside of the house to the outside unit, which will sit behind a block wall fence. The inside unit would sit up by the ceiling so that I can run the piping through the attic and out the wood above my CMU wall. I considered a window unit but that would involve cutting a hole in the CMU (structural) and putting in a lentil (sp?). I'd still have to run power and it just seemed like a lot of work for a unit that isn't terribly efficient. Plus, I don't know that the window units supply heat.

My problem is that $1k is a lot of money for an AC for a garage. I was hoping to find one severely discounted (scratch and dent?). Mini-splits are common in Hawaii and in Asia, yet nobody seems to have them over here. I think that is why they are so much more expensive.

 

[paris_tj]

check out http://www.bestpriceminisplits.com/

 

[The_Tango]

Well I decided on an Amana PTAC - From a local business that is cheaper than anybody I have found online (including local taxes).

Going to pickup Unit, Sleeve, Grill today - doing framing/drywall tomorrow.

 

[Cobra6]

Well I decided on an Amana PTAC - From a local business that is cheaper than anybody I have found online (including local taxes).

Going to pickup Unit, Sleeve, Grill today - doing framing/drywall tomorrow.

I think you will be pleased - I went with one also - 5 yeat warranty - they have excellent customer service reviews with consumer reports - almost no problems.

The Amana is hard to beat $$$ for quality right now.

 

[The_Tango]

Cobra6 - What height did you install the unit?

Everyone I have ask has had a different opinion - on floor, 2' up from floor, as high as it will go and still see controls.

 

[Cobra6]

Cobra6 - What height did you install the unit?

Everyone I have ask has had a different opinion - on floor, 2' up from floor, as high as it will go and still see controls.

Well...........
I know what you mean - mine has a remote so you don't have to reach it - I can open my door, turn it on, then let it cool for a few minutes and come back in the garage. Mine does not stay on all the time.

I put mine 5 feet off the ground - I saw a couple of garages that had them three or four feet off the ground, but they took up a lot of wall/storage space.
I can put a workbench or shelf under mine - or a table saw - whatever - right now my miter saw utility vehicle sits folded up under it, but I may move a workbench there soon.
Like I said, with a remote control you don't have to get to it all the time - I could have moved it up to 6 feet, but didn't want it right on the ceiling.

That's my $.02

 

[mrevard]

I am new to this site and a rookie at most do it yourself projects but was wondering if some one could point me in the right direction. I have a detached metal building with an oversized insulated two car garage which currently has a window unit for the air. It has a drop ceiling and an attached horse barn. Is a mini-split a better AC solution than window unit? i am wanting to convert the garage into a hang out/ mancave. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.