Thru-wall Heat/AC ?

[cartunes]

Hi,
I'm just finishing up a new 40x30 detached garage with 10 ft ceiling.
Has anyone tried a thru-wall Heat/AC unit, like what a hotel room uses?
Thanks, Ron

 

[varunner]

I'm finishing - up a 32 x 44 with 12' ceilings and have 2 units, usually called PTAC units. I don't know how well they'll heat the garage, but they have no problem in cooling it. They are Friedrich units that I got from Graingers, about $900 ea.

 

[rickairmedic]

Ptac units work Ok but for the same money you can get mini split units and only have a 3" hole in the wall and the noisy compressor outside which oddly enough isnt that noisy on most of the Mini splits I have installed.


Rick

 

[hobie1dog]

Amana is a real popular unit too, we buy about 900 units a year....we usually pay around 600.00 for them whosale. They come in 12k btu and 18k btu sizes and come in heat pump models with electric heat or just straight A/C with electric heat.

 

[varunner]

An important consideration is how well a PTAC or mini-split will remove moisture. PTAC do a fair job, don't know about how well a mini-split will do. PTAC can be installed by a homeowner, a mini-split is probably a pro-install, which = labor costs.

 

[redsky49]

+1 for what Rick said.

Additionally, the PTAC (or thru-wall unit) will normally impinge on your space more than a high mounted split system. You will also have choice of greater performance capacities with the split system, some of which are as large as a two ton system.

The normally lower mounted thru-wall unit may be more of a challenge to maintain due to the proximity to the ground - filters get dirtier, shrubbery obstructs airflow, snow buildup prevents operation, etc.

Plus, the wall sleeve for a thru-wall unit requires a large wall penetration that must be framed in, a requirement that does not exist with the split system.

As well as being quieter, I think that the better split systems are of a higher quality than the better thru-wall units. I suspect they have better operating efficiencies too. Note that I am not talking about some of the newer Chinese units which I do not recommend.

It should be noted that estimated equipment service life is 10 years for the PTAC, 15 years for the split system.

As always, offered only as opinion

 

[cartunes]

Thanks for all the posts. I never heard of the mini-split so I'll check them out.
Ron

 

[cartunes]

Now that I've thought about it overnight, I really don't need the AC, just need heat. So will look into Mr Heater or Hot Dawg.

I hear propane is expensive, but only other choice would be electric which is proably even more costly, correct?

For 1200sf, how many BTUs needed? 60k,75k?

Thanks,
Ron

 

[2level]

Even if you don't use the A/C, the PTAC heat pump will probably be more cost effective. Lower energy use. Sometimes less than 1/2 the annual cost. They are easy to frame in and install. You frame a 16 1/4 X 42 1/4 opening in the walls and supply a 20 or 30 amp wall plug. You might want two in a 1200sf garage. If they last 10 years in a hotel or apartment (becoming common in the NW) they may last over 30 years in a garage.