Where to place mini split interior unit?

[loganb]

Getting closer to ordering a mini-split, haven't exactly decided which one yet but realized I'm not exactly sure what wall it should go on...or if it matters?

Picture shows the two options. Exterior unit will be on the the "north" wall as identified, but not sure if there is a orientation that would work better here? Crude drawing with my Note Stylus shows what I'm thinking for options.

My initial thought is it should go on the "east" wall so its blowing width wise across the space instead of towards the garage doors. Ceiling height in the indicated areas is roughly 10'8", was planning on it being about 8' up so that its out of the way...unless there is a reason to mount at a different height? Intending to extend that shelving on the north wall all the way east, so height wise would be positioned to allow that.

Thanks in advance for the assistance and insight from those who have done this before!

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[SALIV8]

I would follow the manufacturers direction on wall height. They give you a range.

You will need a minimum of 10’ line set length so take that into account for placement. Personally, I would try to center the heads as best I could for more uniform airflow, although I would not consider this critical.

You will need to clean the filters at a minimum and possibly wash the coil and fan so keep in mind future maintenance.

 

[Monte406SS]

I had a similar issue, wanted it on the wall you show as East so it would be a more uniform flow across the entire garage, but with all of my wall shelving, ceiling storage and HVAC lines which run up in the walls to the 2nd floor of the house, I was basically left with sticking it in the corner of what you show as North, aimed at the garage doors. I was blown away at how quickly it killed the humidity and then brought the temp down. Far from ideal placement for me, but it was my only option and have no issues with the location now. Haven't used the heat yet, perhaps this weekend as the temp is supposed to drop

 

[Notgrownup]

I would put it on the east wall., not blowing towards the door

 

[vavet]

Are there any exterior aesthetic concerns about which wall has the penetration and lineset mounted to it?
I've gotten several questions about which way the unit should bow relative to the building's dimensions. I didn't analyze it that much. My garage is 24x32 with a 18' wide door on the 24' side. The 32' sides have 3 4' wide transom windows placed high on the walls. My minisplit is about 2/3 of the way down the 32' wall, between the 2nd and 3rd transom windows. It seems to heat and cool the space pretty evenly.
This is not a mancave, it's just a workshop and it's OK with me if it's not perfectly climate controlled like the house. I want it above 55 and below 82. Especially in the summer, the bigger concern is the humidity control. You might have different priorities.

 

[loganb]

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Either wall will allow future maintenance, under the north wall will be a workbench/miter saw station with dust collection. East wall will primarily be the larger woodworking power tools all on mobile bases. Down the road hopefully a 6" duct line for dust collection as well...but probably about 30" off the ground

No anesthetic concerns for me on where it sits, main concern is functionality. If it goes on the East wall I could still put the lineset penetration thru the north wall and bring the lineset in on the interior surface of that East wall. It can also go on the exterior of that East wall just as easily, its the end wall of the house, adjacent to the neighbors on a side of the house that isn't easily visible. I'd paint the plastic housing that covers the lineset to match the siding and it should disappear pretty well.

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[bored350]

Any reason preventing the head from being mounted on a 45° angle in the corner of each wall? This would seem to provide good distribution properties

 

[Jakemedic]

I went with the center of the East wall. The outside unit sits on the NE corner of the building, 7 felt from the corner. The pic doesn’t hav the line set attached yet, but is fully functional now. Haven’t used heat yet, but cools amazingly well thus far. Didn’t buy for heat, although I may use it for heat as the weather gets cold and I didn’t get my natural gas furnace in yet. Nor the insulation....... sighs. Hopefully soon! Have fun!

 

[loganb]

Any reason preventing the head from being mounted on a 45° angle in the corner of each wall? This would seem to provide good distribution properties

Hum.....that might be the winner. Hadn't thought of that...and could then put any extra lineset coil in the dead space behind the head unit and not have them outside...going to have to think about this one some more but I'm liking it! Thank you!

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[bored350]

YW. I bit my tongue earlier but feel the need to comment. You mentioned wood working tools and dust collection. I don't yet have any first hand experience with cleaning the filter or interior of a min split head, but from everything I have read and pics I have seen online, I'd be leary of dust producing tools in close proximity to the head, even with a collection system. Ok, rant off.

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[ericm]

If dust in the mini split's filter is a problem something like this might be a solution:
https://jayscustomcreations.com/2019/10/mini-split-filters/

 

[loganb]

YW. I bit my tongue earlier but feel the need to comment. You mentioned wood working tools and dust collection. I don't yet have any first hand experience with cleaning the filter or interior of a min split head, but from everything I have read and pics I have seen online, I'd be leary of dust producing tools in close proximity to the head, even with a collection system. Ok, rant off.

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No need to hold the tongue...here for advice!

Yes, its a concern I have as well. Planning on a 2 bag dust collection system and have a Powermatic air cleaner hanging from the ceiling to hopefully help trap the stuff that escapes.

I could get a longer lineset and put the head on the west interior wall, which is the side where we plan on parking cars and away from the dust makers. Wouldn't change where the exterior unit goes but running the lineset across the interior of the garage wall wouldn't be a problem if it would improve functionality/reliability.

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