Need interim HVAC solution for garage "living space"

[criticman]

We redid a detached garage and added a 15x24 "man cave" (wife's idea - yes I'm lucky) attached to the side of it. We are currently in the process of finishing the room out.

Intention is to do a ductless mini-split, but we're looking at $2800-3600 installed after calling several local companies. With a baby on the way and already being over budget on the project, we are looking to, if possibly, get by with a temporary HVAC solution to let us set aside money for the mini-split without taking money away from the baby fund.

If it were simply going to be warm out for the next 6 months, I'd run to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a $150-250 window unit and call it a day. The problem is that, even though this is (NW) Georgia, the winters do get near or below freezing most nights, so heat is going to be a must.

Another kicker is pets will be calling this room home, so I can't simply rely on a small inefficient space heater when the room is in use by humans. No plumbing to worry about though, so no risk of pipes bursting.

Basically, what is a living-space acceptable, somewhat efficient and pet-friendly (no easily reached hot surfaces to burn themselves on when trying to get near the warmth) temporary heating solution to get us through the winter months? Need to keep it 65 degrees or so.

If it matters, the room is on a slab, floor will be simply stained/painted concrete, insulated walls (covered in paneling), insulated ceiling, triple pane windows.

Thanks in advance for your input! Oh, and if the consensus is "**** it up, spend the money on a mini-split" then I guess I'll be eating Ramen for lunch until the baby comes.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

The best thing would be to stock up on those Ramen noodles. Buying what you need now will save you $ in the long run.

BUT...if it was me (not a big fan of the Ramen's) I'd be looking at craigslist for a used 80% furnace. A lot of people have pulled good ones and replaced them with higher efficiency equipment, and they don't have much value. You might be able to find a good one for the price of the window unit. (Heck...for that matter you can probably get a good deal on a window unit!)

I'm a big fan of CL. Cheap stuff close enough to pick up. How can you beat that?

Phil

 

[phbsales]

Window units are also available as "heat pumps". Look into a 12,000 btu model. It should serve you well until you are able to do the mini split.

 

[5lima30]

Do you have propane or NG? If so one of those wall mounted vent free gas heaters with a thermostat would probably work well for a reasonable cost. BTW Northern Tool has pretty good deals on heaters.

 

[mpire]

Intention is to do a ductless mini-split, but we're looking at $2800-3600 installed after calling several local companies. With a baby on the way and already being over budget on the project, we are looking to, if possibly, get by with a temporary HVAC solution to let us set aside money for the mini-split without taking money away from the baby fund.

I don't know what kind of crack you are smoking up there, but a mini-split doesn't cost anywhere near that much.

$1242 delivered.

http://www.acwholesalers.com/Ductless_air_conditioners_LG_mini_split_p/13205.htm

No affiliation, but that's where I bought mine.

I picked out the 20 SEER one so you can get the tax deductions and it will be eligible for all those tasty green energy rebates and stuff.

I got $600 from my power company, plus $300 from Obama's green program, and another $200 from Florida.

So essentially it is free if you haven't bought any other Air Conditioners this year.

Then run the lines, hook it up and do the easy stuff, and finally you can call the A/C company to do the nitrogen charge and check for leaks for an hour service call.

That's it, it couldn't be any simpler.

 

[RKA]

An interim solution is probably not worth the cost or effort to put in place, and all those green energy rebates will go away now that Obama has hit his credit limit. If you know you want a mini split, **** it up and do it now.

 

[mpire]

Yeah, what he said.

 

[criticman]

Do you have propane or NG? If so one of those wall mounted vent free gas heaters with a thermostat would probably work well for a reasonable cost. BTW Northern Tool has pretty good deals on heaters.

Sadly no propane or natural gas. Those look like great options if we had it though.

I don't know what kind of crack you are smoking up there, but a mini-split doesn't cost anywhere near that much.

$1242 delivered.

http://www.acwholesalers.com/Ductless_air_conditioners_LG_mini_split_p/13205.htm

No affiliation, but that's where I bought mine.

I picked out the 20 SEER one so you can get the tax deductions and it will be eligible for all those tasty green energy rebates and stuff.

I got $600 from my power company, plus $300 from Obama's green program, and another $200 from Florida.

So essentially it is free if you haven't bought any other Air Conditioners this year.

Then run the lines, hook it up and do the easy stuff, and finally you can call the A/C company to do the nitrogen charge and check for leaks for an hour service call.

That's it, it couldn't be any simpler.

Definitely considering this route. It doesn't look all that hard. Even if I for some reason didn't feel comfortable connecting everything, it looks like if I set things up, cut the holes, mounted the wall bracket, I'd be looking at no more than 3-4 hours labor for an HVAC tech to install it. Factor in $200-300 in parts, $1500 as I've had good luck at work with Mitsu unit running at 65* in server room for 4 years non-stop (although I am sure LG makes a good unit), $65/hr labor = $2,060 should be the top end of expenses. And I am thinking the 1-2 hour range of verification and purging is more what I would go for - install doesn't seem bad at all.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I don't know what kind of crack you are smoking up there, but a mini-split doesn't cost anywhere near that much.

WOW, that is cheap. My HVAC guy sent me this proposal:


Install 3 ton Fujitsu ductless split system. A/C only $4,938.00

Install 2.5 ton Fujitsu ductless split system. Heat and A/C $4,484.00


I went with the less expensive 2.5 ton model because I wanted heat just in case. I am very happy with it, and it cools down my entire garage in about 10 minutes, which is pretty impressive to me.

 

[RKA]

If you DIY it, it's not too terrible (but you went for a 2.5 ton which tends to be pricier than a 2 ton so that accounts for some of the difference as well). But I think it can be difficult to find someone that will come out just for a system start up. Not much money in it for them.

 

[criticman]

Hopefully $65 for 15-20 min of their time is worth it. Guess I'll call a couple of preferred vendors to see if they'll do that before I order, if I opt to go the DIY route.