New Garage Build

[Bowtie4life]

I'm in the process of building a 640sq ft 2 story garage in the Washington DC area. I want to have a HVAC system in the garage so that i can work comfortably all year long when I want to. I want to have a dual zoned Mini-split system where one system warms and cools the 1st floor with a ceiling height of 12 feet and the 2nd floor with a ceiling height of 8 feet. Do you guys think that the Min-split system will keep the shop area warm enough during the winter and cool enough during the summer months when I use it. Let me know if I should use another option of stick with the Mini-split idea.

 

[kngelv]

Mini-split all day long.

 

[ericm]

Run a Manual J and S. I used loadcalc.net but there are others. Be aware that for loadcalc.net you need to carefully consider each field and put data in if appropriate for your building. Otherwise the numbers may be off. Also find the data for the units you are considering on the ashp.neep.org. You can look at for example the low temp performance and see if it can make enough BTUs at your expected 98% lowest temp (from loadcalc).

I managed to get pretty close to the load calc the HVAC company did for my new house but it took some effort. Mostly for calculating wall areas. A garage with a simpler design is be easier. Running it for my shop was a snap but I won't know how well I did until we get some really cold days.

 

[jack stand]

You're primary line of questions should be about the insulation/air seal "package".
The more you put into that, the less your heating and cooling source really matters.

 

[Bowtie4life]

Run a Manual J and S. I used loadcalc.net but there are others. Be aware that for loadcalc.net you need to carefully consider each field and put data in if appropriate for your building. Otherwise the numbers may be off. Also find the data for the units you are considering on the ashp.neep.org. You can look at for example the low temp performance and see if it can make enough BTUs at your expected 98% lowest temp (from loadcalc).

I managed to get pretty close to the load calc the HVAC company did for my new house but it took some effort. Mostly for calculating wall areas. A garage with a simpler design is be easier. Running it for my shop was a snap but I won't know how well I did until we get some really cold days.

Thanks for the great information!!!

 

[Bowtie4life]

Hey guys thanks for the great information!!!!