I am beginning the process of turning the attic in my pole barn into living space. The space is 54’ x 16’ with 8’ ceilings. I am wondering what type of HVAC I should go with and why? Mini split vs. Heat Pump. The space will not be inhabited all of the time, but it will have water pipes I do not want to freeze. The space will be insulated and I live in then Mid-Atlantic region. Thanks!
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Pole barn attic question
- Thread starter JWillis55
- Start date
Pretty much all mini splits are heat pumps, or do you mean a ducted heat pump?
How cold does it get in your area? Many heat pumps will not heat below 0F, some will.
If you are wanting heat and AC one or two mini splits will wok well. As for back up it might be wise to add a few electric baseboard strips wit the thermostats turned down so they run only when you need it.
With a ducted heat pump you can add heat strips to the unit for back up heat.
How cold does it get in your area? Many heat pumps will not heat below 0F, some will.
If you are wanting heat and AC one or two mini splits will wok well. As for back up it might be wise to add a few electric baseboard strips wit the thermostats turned down so they run only when you need it.
With a ducted heat pump you can add heat strips to the unit for back up heat.
ambenz
Well-known member
A mini split will avoid installing a air handler with duct work and would be less expensive to install.
You can place the inside unit on each far aide of the space or keep one in the middle, but that is a lot of space to condition.
Add a few baseboard electric heaters and you will save a lot in cost, IMO.
You can place the inside unit on each far aide of the space or keep one in the middle, but that is a lot of space to condition.
Add a few baseboard electric heaters and you will save a lot in cost, IMO.
DaveMcLain
Active member
I have an attic in my pole barn that's built with a gambrel truss. The room is 18x48 with an 8ft ceiling. I installed a mini split with two ceiling mounted units for cooling and it does an awesome job. It also has a propane forced air furnace that is mounted downstairs and is only used in very cold weather. My room is insulated with R38 in the walls and ceiling and the AC unit is 27000btu total capacity and the furnace is 40000btu. It is very easy to heat and cool in central MO.
Being able to "zone" the AC in the summertime is a great feature. The way the building is situated one end receives the afternoon sun and my wife has an office set up in the other end. The separate air handlers allow one end to do a lot of cooling while the other end does very little. The overall room is very comfortable without it getting too cold at the office end.
Overall the AC installation was not difficult.
Being able to "zone" the AC in the summertime is a great feature. The way the building is situated one end receives the afternoon sun and my wife has an office set up in the other end. The separate air handlers allow one end to do a lot of cooling while the other end does very little. The overall room is very comfortable without it getting too cold at the office end.
Overall the AC installation was not difficult.