So I got this free Goodman MSG12WHN1N Minisplit....

[larry4406]

This appears to be a 1 ton unit and apparently 13-13.5 SEER. It is not quite 5 years old. It was professionally decommissioned and sealed up.

What are your thoughts on this unit for my attached garage which is 28x22'x 9' tall 2-car garage? It came from a 30x21' x 12' tall 3-car garage that was used as the sales center in our now closed model home (converting back to a garage as home is sold). It reportedly handled the sales center very well; thus I am optimistic.

Comparing garages, mine is 97% of the model's SF, and 73% of the model's volume. My garage is not insulated quite as well as the model (R13 vs R21). I will have our HVAC contractor run the line set, pump it down, and start it up. My garage door is 16x7 and is insulated (I do need to install the Green Hinges on it to get better seal).

I am mainly interested in tempering the space in the winter to 50-65F. Summers not sure if I would use the AC much.

I have asked electrical questions for it over here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412937

 

[LaneRover]

Can I ask why you wouldn’t use the AC much in the summer? It does get a bit warm down there . . . just curious.

 

[larry4406]

Can I ask why you wouldn’t use the AC much in the summer? It does get a bit warm down there . . . just curious.

Yeah it does get warm here but I'm ok with that. If grinding, welding, etc, the garage doors and vent fan will be on so no point in running the AC. The garage is the default primary entrance to the house as the cars all park on that side so the garage door is always going up and down as folks come and go. Winter time however most here in the house use the garage side man door

I can deal with heat just fine. I can't stand the cold. Was 12F here this morning with ungodly howling winds.

Does 1 ton seem ok, undersized, marginal, ??? Allegedly it cooled and heated the sales center in the model garage from which it came.

 

[jjrbus]

I would check on installation prices before going too far with this. In my area it would be hard to find someone to install a used unit and expensive.

 

[nsula_country]

This appears to be a 1 ton unit and apparently 13-13.5 SEER. It is not quite 5 years old. It was professionally decommissioned and sealed up.

What are your thoughts on this unit for my attached garage which is 28x22'x 9' tall 2-car garage? It came from a 30x21' x 12' tall 3-car garage that was used as the sales center in our now closed model home (converting back to a garage as home is sold). It reportedly handled the sales center very well; thus I am optimistic.

Comparing garages, mine is 97% of the model's SF, and 73% of the model's volume. My garage is not insulated quite as well as the model (R13 vs R21). I will have our HVAC contractor run the line set, pump it down, and start it up. My garage door is 16x7 and is insulated (I do need to install the Green Hinges on it to get better seal).

I am mainly interested in tempering the space in the winter to 50-65F. Summers not sure if I would use the AC much.

I have asked electrical questions for it over here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412937

616 sq/ft. It's a stretch for 1 ton, but should temper the area sufficiently. Heat pump operation on most of these type minis can heat down to 0*.

As for installation? Personally, I would not touch it. Not even a tail light warranty. Some people on GJ have found "persons" to commision self-installed mini-splits for $100... YMMV...

CT

 

[nsula_country]

I would check on installation prices before going too far with this. In my area it would be hard to find someone to install a used unit and expensive.

With this said, FL has some of the cheapest HVAC labor rates in the country. Will have to find a moonlight technician or a hack to commision this unit.

CT

 

[larry4406]

I build houses. My plan is to use our HVAC contractor that supplied and installed it originally. I have a good relationship with them.

 

[nsula_country]

I build houses. My plan is to use our HVAC contractor that supplied and installed it originally. I have a good relationship with them.

You will probably be fine. You know the guy and use him on your jobs.

Good luck, post up pics when it is installed!

Just saying, lot of people buy HVAC equipment online and just expect cheap installation from shady contractors and hacks. Results vary and warranty is non-existent.

Warranty isn't a concern for your case, but you want a quality installation and at least 10 years from the equipment.

CT

 

[dcg9381]

Just saying, lot of people buy HVAC equipment online and just expect cheap installation from shady contractors and hacks. Results vary and warranty is non-existent.

I'm one of those people. Learned (relative term) to install the lines myself and if necessary, get licensed for the refrigerant.

The reality is (here in my area) that using an approved and licensed technician raises the cost of implementation 200-300%. So, by paying 1/3 of that, I'm taking a risk with non-warrantied components.. But that's a lot of "insurance coverage".

I've looked into becoming a licensed HVAC installer - it's basically a 3-4 year minimum of working for someone and many might call that "appropriate" - but that's what it is... Doesn't matter how smart I am, which tests I take, how proficient I am, or what my education level is - I haven't done my time under a licensed HVAC tech, I can't get licensed. IMHO, it's more keeping a trade viable.

Considering I've never seen a "licensed" HVAC tech in my area ever use a torque wrench, I'm biased...

Best case would be I could be components at actual cost, have an licensed (and brand-approved) tech inspect and sign off on the install, and best of both worlds...

 

[nsula_country]

I have also thought about this. In Louisiana, I think if you test and pass, you can get a Mechanical License. But it may be up to a board to grant said License...

Then there is proof of Liability Insurance, Workmans Comp and Bonding requirements also.

CT