Simplified Heat/AC objective advice needed

[WBSurfer]

I've lately been all about simplified solutions as I haven't had time and need to get to work on some projects so simplified is what I'm looking for. I got great advice on my simplified lighting thread and looking for similar here.

Garage is 25x25 with 10' ceilings. It's insulated, finished, and attached to the house. My wife's grandfather has a nice Fujitsu unit but he paid 2K for it including install and as much as I'd like to have that same unit I'm not sure I can swing that kind of dough at the moment. Maybe in due time that's my ultimate solution but likely not now. A good friend of mine is well versed in HVAC having owned his own HVAC business prior to his new hardware store business so likely I could use him to assist in any install to save money so keep that in mind as you make recommendations to me. I'd save money on install for sure.

Basically looking for the solution to heat and cool my garage at minimal cost (aren't we all). Since it's approaching winter (I'm in southern coast NC so it's not too bad) I'm mainly looking for heat at the moment. If I can find something to get me through winter to give me decent heat so I can go work in my garage for the winter then I'd prefer that solution at first at minimal cost and then come summer I'd spend more money and get the real deal system that heats and cools.

So, any simplified heating solutions are what I'm looking for now. Or, if there is an inexpensive option for heat and a/c with my discounted install assistance then I'm all ears on that as well.

Thanks in advance for all your recommendations!!

Cheers!

 

[jacobsed]

Mini split heat pump

 

[DEnd]

If you don't need 24/7 heat I'd say get a portable heater, and spot heat where you are working. That will probably be the cheapest short term solution.

Mini splits are nice, but they are expensive. They can also have high phantom loads, requiring you to flip their breaker to turn them fully off. If you are only using it to heat and cool part time, then a conventional unit may be a better option.

 

[hunnterr4]

If it was me, I would find a used hot-air heater someone ripped out of a house and hook it up on the cheap. Mini-splits are too much money for a garage in my opinion. A heater that burns gas or oil will also heat the place up a lot quicker than a heat pump.

 

[WBSurfer]

If it was me, I would find a used hot-air heater someone ripped out of a house and hook it up on the cheap. Mini-splits are too much money for a garage in my opinion. A heater that burns gas or oil will also heat the place up a lot quicker than a heat pump.

What's a hot air heater?

 

[hunnterr4]

It's just a standard heater that heats and blows air, we call it a hot air system when it is installed in a house. As opposed to a hot water system that has a boiler that circulates water through radiators or baseboard.

 

[pseudorealityx]

Do you have a window in your garage, or a wall where you could punch out a whole and installed a window AC/Heat pump?

That'd be the cheapest way to get both.

 

[mygarageone]

A fire pit , A block of ice and a fan . Nothing cheaper than that !

 

[rburke65]

How about remove clothes in Summer or and clothes in Winter!

 

[WBSurfer]

Changing the direction of this thread without starting a new thread:

Now that I've done entirely too much research I'm without a doubt going to use a temporary space heater for this winter. There are TONS of options and I've read loads of reviews on so many of them. I like the idea of the tank top triple heaters. Seems like they put out tons of heat and can make adjustments to different temps. As well as sold for reasonable price. Theres always the cost of propane but that aside apparently it puts out tons of heat.

Then there are these Eden PURE Gen4 Infrared Heaters:http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11189338&cp=51889956.4392329

These seem nice also but a bit more costly. I'd be curious if anyone has experience with these. They are supposed to heat up to 1000sqft which is much larger than my two car garage but I like the idea of plugging it into the wall. Wonder if its more or less heat than the tank top heaters?

My neighbor uses one of these patio heater inside his garage and says it gets so hot he has to open his side door in the garage. Anyone using these? http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=29107066&cp=51889956.4392329

Anyway, I'm getting one of the above soon and would like to hear if anyone has or uses any of the above.

Cheers!

 

[WBSurfer]

Changing the direction of this thread without starting a new thread:

Now that I've done entirely too much research I'm without a doubt going to use a temporary space heater for this winter. There are TONS of options and I've read loads of reviews on so many of them. I like the idea of the tank top triple heaters. Seems like they put out tons of heat and can make adjustments to different temps. As well as sold for reasonable price. Theres always the cost of propane but that aside apparently it puts out tons of heat.

Then there are these Eden PURE Gen4 Infrared Heaters:http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11189338&cp=51889956.4392329

These seem nice also but a bit more costly. I'd be curious if anyone has experience with these. They are supposed to heat up to 1000sqft which is much larger than my two car garage but I like the idea of plugging it into the wall. Wonder if its more or less heat than the tank top heaters?

My neighbor uses one of these patio heater inside his garage and says it gets so hot he has to open his side door in the garage. Anyone using these? http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=29107066&cp=51889956.4392329

Anyway, I'm getting one of the above soon and would like to hear if anyone has or uses any of the above.

Cheers!

Bump.....can anyone comment on the above questions? Thanks

 

[theoldwizard1]

Mini split heat pump

Remember the old Fram commercial ? "You can pay me now or you can pay me later !"

Mini-split is by far the mots economical OPERATIONAL COST solution. If you can't afford it, shiver for a couple of winters and buy some really cheap box fans for summer until you can afford it.


Doing anything else is a waste of money in the long run.

 

[WBSurfer]

yea....I hear that. The thing is, I will be able to afford it around spring or summer time this year....BUT.... I have a ton of stuff to do this winter in my shop and I need a good solution for heat now. That's why I was thinking tank top triple burners but there are some other options that I mentioned above that are plug in the wall units that I wanted some comparisons and feedback on.

Mini split is what I will most certainly get but just not at the moment.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Bump.....can anyone comment on the above questions? Thanks

IMHO, both are too much money for a temporary solution.


Go online and buy a set of winter overalls and a tuque/"toboggan"/knit hat and gloves. Of course you will be sweating by March.

Get a heavy floor mat in front of your work bench and a cheap Walmart heater to keep your feet warm.


Heck, the high today will be in the 20s, but the sun is out. I am seriously thinking about changing the oil on my DD. Yes, on the open driveway !!

 

[bzinsky]

Remember the old Fram commercial ? "You can pay me now or you can pay me later !"

Mini-split is by far the mots economical OPERATIONAL COST solution. If you can't afford it, shiver for a couple of winters and buy some really cheap box fans for summer until you can afford it.


Doing anything else is a waste of money in the long run.

they are economical in homes, garages have different needs, like bringing it from freezing to room temperature when you need it.

If it takes 4 hours to make the garage comfortable, than you will probably be letting the system maintain a certain temp throughout the winter, which is not economical.

 

[bzinsky]

Bump.....can anyone comment on the above questions? Thanks

I'm pretty sure propane emits a lot more carbon monoxide than natural gas. I don't think unventilated propane heat is a smart idea.

 

[theoldwizard1]

they are economical in homes, garages have different needs, like bringing it from freezing to room temperature when you need it.

If it takes 4 hours to make the garage comfortable, than you will probably be letting the system maintain a certain temp throughout the winter, which is not economical.

You need to go back and re-read the original post ! The OP is in NC near the coast. Summer heat and humidity can be brutal (OK, not as bad as MS, or LA or southern FL). Cooling cost are going to be the biggest annual expense.