DanV58
New member
Hi, I’m looking for opinions on a mini split vs. a through the wall ac unit in my 24x30 garage. Garage is well insulated. Located in Moline, Illinois. Mostly looking for cooling. 18,000 BTU. What thoughts have you?
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Mini split vs. through wall unit
- Thread starter DanV58
- Start date
If you plan to cool 24/7 the mini split should save enough electricity to justify the additional cost if you buy & install it yourself. If you're going to have a pro furnish and install probably not worth it from a cost standpoint. Quiet is nice but maybe not $$$$ nice.
Also what, if anything, are you currently doing for heat?
Also what, if anything, are you currently doing for heat?
Marctrees
Well-known member
We got this one recently - no complaints.
Installed "through wall" sleeve, unit slides in.
24 1/4" x 17 1/2" RO.
Marc
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4XUPO2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Installed "through wall" sleeve, unit slides in.
24 1/4" x 17 1/2" RO.
Marc
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B4XUPO2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
SALIV8
Well-known member
Mini split all the way. It's super quiet, super efficient, and only has a 2 1/2" -3" hole as opposed to a large one.
Get one that is ahri rated to qualify for rebates. ComEd is giving $400 back. Search it and follow their instructions.
You'll be able to find one of their installers to just do the flares, final evac and release. I did. And you'll also be setup for factory warranty. Not sure my guy would travel to Moline tho. Mr cool diy units also have a decent warranty but I don't think qualify for the additional rebate.
Get one that is ahri rated to qualify for rebates. ComEd is giving $400 back. Search it and follow their instructions.
You'll be able to find one of their installers to just do the flares, final evac and release. I did. And you'll also be setup for factory warranty. Not sure my guy would travel to Moline tho. Mr cool diy units also have a decent warranty but I don't think qualify for the additional rebate.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Actually the REAL benefit of a mini-split heat pump is heat. Even the cheap ones will heat down to about 35F. The good one will provide heat to below 0F.If you plan to cool 24/7 the mini split should save enough electricity to justify the additional cost if you buy & install it yourself.
Actually the REAL benefit of a mini-split heat pump is heat. Even the cheap ones will heat down to about 35F. The good one will provide heat to below 0F.
How many mini splits do you own? And of those how many are retrofits replacing window shakers?
SALIV8
Well-known member
Actually the REAL benefit of a mini-split heat pump is heat. Even the cheap ones will heat down to about 35F. The good one will provide heat to below 0F.
I would tend to disagree. Heat in low oat is definitely a good thing from a mini split heat pump, but the best efficiency is on the cooling side. Hands down.
If you plan to cool 24/7 the mini split should save enough electricity to justify the additional cost if you buy & install it yourself. If you're going to have a pro furnish and install probably not worth it from a cost standpoint. Quiet is nice but maybe not $$$$ nice.
Also what, if anything, are you currently doing for heat?
I’ve got a Reznor gas fired ceiling mounted unit for heat. 0
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I have a mini split 18000 btu in my shop, it’s a 18 seer and runs great and quiet.
I have a through the wall unit in my sunroom and hindsight 20/20 I should’ve done a min8 split, way more efficient.
I have a through the wall unit in my sunroom and hindsight 20/20 I should’ve done a min8 split, way more efficient.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Cost aside, mini split without a doubt.
I wouldn't go through the trouble of framing and trimming and opening for a through wall if one didn't exist already.
I wouldn't go through the trouble of framing and trimming and opening for a through wall if one didn't exist already.
Bretny
Well-known member
Just get a through the wall. You will spend half as much and that may take 10yrs to make a minisplit to just break even.
The only thing I've ever seen fail on a window or through wall unit is the control switches, when they had mechanical rotary knobs, otherwise they run forever. Split systems and central air units? well you can google the millions of repair and help questions about them.
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Take a look at www.alpinehomeair.com
nh_yota
Well-known member
The only thing I've ever seen fail on a window or through wall unit is the control switches, when they had mechanical rotary knobs, otherwise they run forever. Split systems and central air units? well you can google the millions of repair and help questions about them.
Maybe the ones from 30+ years ago run forever...but you're lucky to get five years out of a newer one before the compressor dies or the system loses its refrigerant.
I’ve got a Reznor gas fired ceiling mounted unit for heat. 0
Mini split heat is generally about the same running cost as nat gas but substantially cheaper than propane. Varies somewhat with local prices and the gas heats efficiency. So if you're on propane using a mini to reduce your gas consumption should save some money. Might even be worth paying the premium for a hyper heat mini if you're on propane.
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I guess since you already have heat... I would say how often would you use it?
Mini split heat is generally about the same running cost as nat gas but substantially cheaper than propane. Varies somewhat with local prices and the gas heats efficiency. So if you're on propane using a mini to reduce your gas consumption should save some money. Might even be worth paying the premium for a hyper heat mini if you're on propane.
Reznor is natural gas. Works like a charm. Just didn’t plan on having AC until.
To answer another question, my AC usage would be several times a week, but not running constantly. I would use it like a window AC, only on when in the garage. Leaning towards mini split becuz I don’t want to cut a hole in my garage wall. Currently don’t have a window in the garage. TIA for all the input folks
Notgrownup
Well-known member
Get a big AC unit, biggest with the best seer rating
Yankeefarmer
Well-known member
After being unable to work in my 28x28 shop for too many days last summer due to the heat and humidity, I installed a Mr Cool Advantage 18k this past spring. My building is mostly 2x4 construction with less than 1/2 the walls insulated. It does have a full ceiling with 6” fiberglass insulation. There is only one small south facing window, so little solar gain. I had considered a larger unit for better heating performance, but already had a propane furnace and wood stove for heat. The Mr Cool has maintained my shop comfortably cool on several 90 degree plus humid days without seeming to work hard at all, so I am delighted. We live in north central Connecticut near the Mass border.
I had initially considered the Mr Cool DIY, but didn’t like the idea of extra line set coiled up and decided to roll the dice regarding warranty. After plumbing it, I did a 24 hour leak check by pressurizing it to 225 psig using C25 shielding gas before evacuating it per the manufacture’s instructions. My total outlay for vacuum pump, condenser stand, lineset cover, and mini-split was under $1200.
I also considered a through-wall unit, but was concerned about the noise level. The Mr Cool unit is practically silent.
I had initially considered the Mr Cool DIY, but didn’t like the idea of extra line set coiled up and decided to roll the dice regarding warranty. After plumbing it, I did a 24 hour leak check by pressurizing it to 225 psig using C25 shielding gas before evacuating it per the manufacture’s instructions. My total outlay for vacuum pump, condenser stand, lineset cover, and mini-split was under $1200.
I also considered a through-wall unit, but was concerned about the noise level. The Mr Cool unit is practically silent.
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dcg9381
Well-known member
> I did a 24 hour leak check by pressurizing it to 225 psig
Doing a pressure test is definitely the way to go. Lots of people try to see if it will "hold" a vacuum, but it's easier to see if it holds 100+ psi of pressure.. if not, a little soap and water finds the leaks.
Doing a pressure test is definitely the way to go. Lots of people try to see if it will "hold" a vacuum, but it's easier to see if it holds 100+ psi of pressure.. if not, a little soap and water finds the leaks.
Metalcrafter
New member
I live in north Florida and have a metal garage (26 x 40 x 12) with insulated walls and ceiling. I installed a Mr Cool DIY mini split (24,000 BTU). I keep it at 79 degrees and turn it down to 75 degrees when I am working. It is the best investment that I made. It is so much nicer working on any project without sweating your tail off. The only hole through my wall is 3 inch diameter for the lines to run outside. My power bill runs about $45.00 per month during the summer.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Lots of opinions here based on owner use and nothing else. "Through the wall"... Do you mean a PTAC? They ****. A ductless mini split KILLS them in both comfort levels and efficiency. 1.5k won't properly conditon your space. You CANNOT properly leak check ANY HVAC system with vacuum...
Tommy
Tommy
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Marctrees
Well-known member
I assumed his "through the wall" meant a window AC in a wall hole sleeve mount.
Not a Motel room PTAC one.
Marc
Not a Motel room PTAC one.
Marc
Notgrownup
Well-known member
I have a PTAC in my sunroom, it works well but it’s not the most efficient at 14 seer...could be worse though.
iowa4x4dieselman
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2012
- Messages
- 224
The only thing I've ever seen fail on a window or through wall unit is the control switches, when they had mechanical rotary knobs, otherwise they run forever. Split systems and central air units? well you can google the millions of repair and help questions about them.
This may be, but also the cost of a window unit is cheaper, so many repairs are not performed, but rather units are tossed.