Opinions On Window AC and Heater

[otienoty]

I'm looking for a window AC/Heat combo for my 15x20 garage. For now I just want to add a supplemental heat since the central unit doesn't do a great job heating the room. My main concern, however, is keeping it cool in the summer because the temperatures get real hot. Has anybody installed these units. Do they work? Are they good enough?

 

[snickers muncher]

I had one and found it to be not that great energy wise. It seems to me at a regular AC window unit that you take out in the fall supplemented with the roll around electric radiators for the winter is a better choice.

 

[James-W]

I had one and found it to be not that great energy wise. It seems to me at a regular AC window unit that you take out in the fall supplemented with the roll around electric radiators for the winter is a better choice.

I tend to agree, a separate window air-conditioner and an electric heater would be a good choice. The combination units do work reasonably OK, but I really don't think they are as nice as having the two separate units. A neighbor we used to have had one for his garage and it worked, but he eventually got rid of it and used two separate units. But then too, we live in a much colder part of the country so maybe it would be different where you are.

 

[okoyoray]

Forget the window unit. Nab yourself a mini split. The install is a little more involved, but you'll wind up with a cleaner, quieter, more effective solution. Last year I installed Della Mini Split Air Conditioner in my master bedroom and it's been amazing. Easy to install, super quiet and keeps room comfy. Mini splits might be a little expensive than window units, but your bill will be much lower. if you're on a budget, try LG Window ac/heater or check other options - https://householdair.com/best-window-air-conditioner-with-heat-reviews/

 

[James-W]

A lot of people have a mini-split. Some people swear by them, some people swear at them. I am not a big fan of them, but you may find one would work fine for you.

I have a Hot Dawg heater in my garage and I have a window air-conditioner that I use in the hot Summer months. But the climate where I am is a lot different than where you are. I mostly need heat for the cold months, although some years we do tend to quite a bit of heat in the Summer months.

 

[jjrbus]

I love hate my minis. Great for a lot of reasons. But 2% of units have a mold problem, I have a mold issue in one of my 3 minis and it is a ***** to clean. first time required disassembly, which is no fun.

Google clean mini split, and skip the one with the smiling guy with the sheet plastic funnel and garden sprayer.

 

[Jackfre]

I suspect that the 2% that have a mold problem also have a drain problem. If they do not drain completely, especially in a humid environment you turn it into a petri dish. I wonder how many window and central systems have the same issue.
I am with you on cleaning the damned things. I have to get after my two first floor evaps. I'm working out a better sprayer method which I'll report on, if it works.

 

[JRC3]

I would do separate too, I do. 24x24 with a 15K window unit installed high through the wall, and two 17K electric shop heaters. I have like 500 bucks in it all. My guess is in ATL you don't need that much heat.

I'm sure a mini split is nice but aren't they about 4x the cost of a window unit?

 

[jjrbus]

I suspect that the 2% that have a mold problem also have a drain problem. If they do not drain completely, especially in a humid environment you turn it into a petri dish. I wonder how many window and central systems have the same issue.
I am with you on cleaning the damned things. I have to get after my two first floor evaps. I'm working out a better sprayer method which I'll report on, if it works.

Nope, no drain problem. Evap coils and drain pan stay clean, only the blower wheel and surfaces around it grow mold. The coils are spotless clean. What makes it worse is they are not designed for easy disassembly.

 

[Marctrees]

otie - Go spend $20 on ANY 1500 w portable space heater...

Plug it in and play w it a few days, then re post w your experience.

You may decide to pick up a second one for an opposite end of shop.

Two will easily do it.

This is assuming you are at least basically insulated.

For summer a in wall or window AC would be fine... around 12kbtu ? I guess from here.

No need to "Remove" in winter... build an insulated cover.... Blue insul board/ duct tape.




Marc

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

The window AC's w the heat are simply that - A regular AC w heat coils added at factory... in same housing and using same fan... nothing more.

Your AC and seperate portable heater should have their own ckt... use same outlet for either unit summer/ winter.

Marc

 

[SALIV8]

I'm looking for a window AC/Heat combo for my 15x20 garage. For now I just want to add a supplemental heat since the central unit doesn't do a great job heating the room. My main concern, however, is keeping it cool in the summer because the temperatures get real hot. Has anybody installed these units. Do they work? Are they good enough?

I like my mini splits and have absolutely no mold whatsoever. Whisper quiet, efficient, and perform well in cooling and heating. I would suggest a mini split for your application.

 

[Jinks]

In Jacksonville, Fla. I had a window/wall mount heat pump. It did a good job of keeping a separate two car shop cool, but the heat side was a little weak. It helped, but on really cool days it needed help. However, either heat or cool it was noisy. Not window rattling noisy, but still noisy.

Now, near Daytona, I have a mini split. A/C only since I don't need heat, but it does a much better job & is scary quiet. If I needed heat I'd just go mini split heat pump.

 

[fitter30]

Ptac heatpump with strip heat

 

[Bert_]

I've never liked the through wall units or window units that people mount in a wall. They are always drafty. if you're going to do a window unit put it in the window. I like something I can remove for the winter.