Nebraska.....It's cold but also hot - Mini Split

[Murrdog]

Hey all,
So I'm in the process of building a detached garage. The size is 40x36 -10' walls, Scissor truss 6/12 (outside) 4/12 (inside). The ceiling height will be about 16'-8" interior.
The ceiling height complicates this for me regarding the heating and cooling. Not really sure if a mini split would provide enough heat in the Nebraska winter. I plan to use this garage as a do all mechanic type shop with welding, hopefully some auto body type work.
I will have water, gas, and 100 amp breaker, but really wondering if a 36K mini split would be enough or even work with sub 0 temps. Not needing it at 75 degrees but would really like it at 65 or so. Thanks for the help!

 

[Bert_]

Usually have to install some supplemental heat to keep up in the sub zero temps. Electric resistance is common, could also use gas.

The high seer units will often rated to work to -15* but I'm not sure if that is at full output or reduced.

 

[Murrdog]

Do to not wanting to spend a ton of money on AC at the moment... I may go the Gas Moline style heater...then that way I for sure have the heat part covered. Goals would be a mini split for AC later. Who knows may do both too

 

[Black Oak]

A top line Mini Split will get you most of the way there , but I fear not all the heating you may want . I am picturing open fields and lots of wind , so build it tight . Not all brands will heat as well as the better units , and you may need a secondary heat source for Dec thru Feb . Good luck .

 

[McFarmer]

In northern Iowa we put a mini split in the new sewing shed for the wife. She shed/ ***** barn, whatever. It won’t keep up below maybe 20 degrees, not enough anyway. Well insulated, new build, not that big. Great AC however.

 

[Murrdog]

In northern Iowa we put a mini split in the new sewing shed for the wife. She shed/ ***** barn, whatever. It won’t keep up below maybe 20 degrees, not enough anyway. Well insulated, new build, not that big. Great AC however.

Interesting, I've heard a few say it will but I'm not convinced. Norther Iowa may be a bit colder but at 20 degrees thats concerning

 

[Black Oak]

There is a large difference in heat mode between top shelf brands and the "no-name" choices out there . I have Fujitsu in the house , and cheap Chinese made in my shop . If it lasts a couple years , thats fine . When we can afford to upgrade , we will . The heating ability of the shop mini-split , was always going to be bad . The cooling was pretty good . That all my shop needed .

 

[Jim greengo]

Are you in town or outside of lincoln?
If your in town how far is the garage from nat gas in house?

 

[Murrdog]

I'm actually in Town and I plan to run NG to the building. Its about 35 feet... This way I can use a "hot dog" type of heater and then possibly supplement with at Mini Split and mainly use it for the AC not the heat.

 

[Murrdog]

Also, Kinda wondering about the BTU requirements for a gas heater. Think 80K would do it?

 

[Murrdog]

 

[theoldwizard1]

I will have water, gas, and 100 amp breaker, but really wondering if a 36K mini split would be enough or even work with sub 0 temps. Not needing it at 75 degrees but would really like it at 65 or so. Thanks for the help!

The biggest issue in NE is INSULATION ! You want AT LEAST 6" in the walls and as much as you can fit and afford in the ceiling. 12" would be a good start !

Gas forced air is cheaper to install and reasonable cheap to operate. If you have no plans for A/C, it is likely the way to go. You will need some serious duct work to distribute the air.

The biggest issue with mini-splits in an open space is air distribution. One air handler is NOT enough. Minimum 2 and 4 would be better. If I wanted A/C, I would go with the mini splits, but I would go with 2 compressors, each driving 2 air handlers. Yes, that is a lot of money !

 

[theoldwizard1]

Usually have to install some supplemental heat to keep up in the sub zero temps. Electric resistance is common, could also use gas.

The high seer units will often rated to work to -15* but I'm not sure if that is at full output or reduced.

SEER has nothing to do with cold weather operation !

If you are serious about mini-splits, you need to get educated. This very much a BUYER BEWARE area. As Bert said, there ARE units that will provide heat (without a resistance strip) below 0F.

Stay away from anything that does have a resistance strip. You will go broke when it turns on !

 

[theoldwizard1]

In northern Iowa we put a mini split in the new sewing shed for the wife. She shed/ ***** barn, whatever. It won’t keep up below maybe 20 degrees, not enough anyway. Well insulated, new build, not that big. Great AC however.

Interesting, I've heard a few say it will but I'm not convinced. Norther Iowa may be a bit colder but at 20 degrees thats concerning

Buyer beware ! If you do not understand how to read the specs, you can easily get screwed !!

There are units out there that WILL HEAT down to below 0F.

 

[b-boy]

I have a 30x40 w/ 12 ft walls. It's heavily insulated.

If you have gas, I'd go with some type of gas heater.

My main heater is a 96% efficient forced air furnace that does a very good job of keeping the building in the 60s no matter how cold it is outside. It's a 60K unit.

I use a small, ventless gas heater for supplemental heat. It's a 30K unit. It was very inexpensive. I only run it when it's extremely cold and I'm actually working in the building. It throws a lot of heat as needed. It also creates water vapor, so I use it sparingly.

For A/C, I've wired a 30A circuit so I can use a higher-end A/C window unit. I haven't bought it yet. I'm hoping that a large window unit with 2 ceiling fans will be able to do the job.

I looked at mini-split units, but the cost was too high. I priced them for my house as well. I almost had a heart attack. The cost was almost 15K.

 

[theoldwizard1]

For A/C, I've wired a 30A circuit so I can use a higher-end A/C window unit. I haven't bought it yet. I'm hoping that a large window unit with 2 ceiling fans will be able to do the job.

You will likely need 2 for those days in the high 90s !

I looked at mini-split units, but the cost was too high. I priced them for my house as well. I almost had a heart attack. The cost was almost 15K.

The win for min-splits is those "in-between" days and niggts when temps are 35-65. Mini-splits use very little power in this region. And of course, for A/C they will do a better job than a window shacke !

It is very difficult to calculate "pay back" compared to gas forced air. Without A/C it is a no brainer. Go gas !

 

[Black Oak]

Can you give more details on the buildings construction ? Insulation ? Interior finishes etc.