Why mini split vs ducted?

[SaltH2OHokie]

I work in commercial/industrial construction and we throw away more duct work on an average job than it would take to run duct in most detached shops (I just personally tossed 40' of 8" spiral, 60' of 12" spiral...)

So maybe the answer is "cost of duct" and I just forget that an average person can't beg/borrow/steal most of what they'd need, but why are mini splits seemingly so much more popular than traditional ducted split systems for detached garage/shop applications? I'm in need of something to heat/cool my new 30*40 and my instinct is to hang an air handler from some strut and run a trunk down the middle with either diffusers or little branch take-offs, but seems most of what I see on here is mini splits, so I'm questioning myself.

Thanks

 

[shortykorte]

I’m no expert but have watched several of the installs. First is the DIY aspect of some of the mini split systems. Second is ease of installation. Third cost. Last I priced a package unit (15 yrs. ago) it was between $1500-2000. You then would have to run supply and return duct. I think you can get a pretty big mini split for around $2500. Last is efficiency. The mini splits reportedly use less energy.

I personally like the look of round metal ductwork but I’m going with what’s cheaper and easier.


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[SALIV8]

Noise, efficiency and smaller footprint is why I went mini.

 

[SaltH2OHokie]

We use inverter "outdoor" units at work, but ducted. I assumed the power efficiency to be similar, actual heating/cooling to be better?

 

[SALIV8]

If I was in your shoes I would grab that spiral duct and setup a forced air system for sure.

 

[SALIV8]

You could probably make a killing craigslisting/eBaying that duct also. Lol

 

[SaltH2OHokie]

You could probably make a killing craigslisting/eBaying that duct also. Lol

You should see my yard. I renovated a warehouse and brought home two pickup beds worth of salvaged aluminum conduit...mostly because I hated seeing it go in a dumpster. Have a stack of 12*12 treated timbers that were part of a temporary shoring. They're now part of my landscape, just waiting for their next use. The duct I threw away was what was left after another superintendent took what he wanted. Said he was going to use it to make a statue of "Bender" from Futurama.

Of course now we won't have extra duct for two years because I'm looking for it.

 

[Dagny]

Mini splits and hang on the wall boilers are throw away **** just like most other things now days. It takes time and knowledge to install a system that will last 40 years or longer no one cares how long something will last it has to happen fast and last 2 days past the warranty.

 

[SALIV8]

You should see my yard. I renovated a warehouse and brought home two pickup beds worth of salvaged aluminum conduit...mostly because I hated seeing it go in a dumpster. Have a stack of 12*12 treated timbers that were part of a temporary shoring. They're now part of my landscape, just waiting for their next use. The duct I threw away was what was left after another superintendent took what he wanted. Said he was going to use it to make a statue of "Bender" from Futurama.

Of course now we won't have extra duct for two years because I'm looking for it.

Wow. You get my first ever YOU ****!

 

[cvairwerks]

We use mini’s at work because it’s something like $20k to cut in a new line on our chilled water system. Add in building a scab hut to house the equipment and the cost gets astronomical. Way easier to tuck a mini into the location and it only takes a couple of days to get it in and running.

 

[justinjoyal]

Mini splits and hang on the wall boilers are throw away **** just like most other things now days. It takes time and knowledge to install a system that will last 40 years or longer no one cares how long something will last it has to happen fast and last 2 days past the warranty.

20+ yr old mini-splits are common. Not exactly what I would call « throw away ****. »

 

[jmiller_2308]

I had a mini-split and a unit heater in my original garage because it was easier and cheaper to use them vs. a furnace. The problem was that the unit heater was DAMN loud and obnoxious and the mini-split didn't cool my space very well; especially when bringing something like a hot car into the shop.

When I doubled the shop space (added another 900sqft) I was looking at having to essentially double my existing HVAC or replacing it with something to handle the new load. At that point it would have been more expensive to use mini/unit heaters then to put in a furnace and duct work.

The furnace is a little louder than the mini split but a LOT quieter than the unit heater. Additionally, the duct work means that treated air gets delivered throughout the shop spaces instead of heat/cool islands near the mini/unit heater. That ducting means quicker recovery if I bring a hot vehicle in or someone (ahem...) leaves the doors open.

Maintenance of a single larger furnace is also less than having multiple mini/unit heaters so even though the furnace isn't rated as energy efficient as a mini, the end costs are less than having mini/unit heater.

Oh yes, I have spiral duct and I love the look. Also built a cabinet around the hanging furnace so in the end everything is much cleaner looking and easier to keep clean.

 

[jjrbus]

In a slab built house in Florida it makes no sense to put cooling system and associated duct work in a 150 degree jungle gym of trusses called an attic.

With gov designed gas cans and energy mandates forcing manufactures to make copper coils thinner I know for 100% fact the days of 20+ year old AC systems are over!

 

[toyotadriver]

If I could get free duct work, I'd seriously consider a conventional system.

 

[Dagny]

The price of proprietary parts makes them throw away **** there are parts that cost more than replacement.

 

[SaltH2OHokie]

Whether I put in a mini split OR a conventional ducted split system, either one will be procured as cheaply as possible. (So either gently used Craigslist, new chinese stuff or a supply house floor model/returned unit.)

My point being, I'm as likely to end up with "cheap ****" in either scenario (ducted or not). As much as I'd like to think I'm going to be in the shop enjoying conditioned air enough to be worth buying the best HVAC money can buy, my current job site is 1.5 hours from the house, I have a 4 month old, and summers coming and I've got a wife that enjoys being out on a boat...

So I'll put in something that'll hopefully work to take the edge off the heat or cold at the same time that I'm piddling in the garage. If I hit the lottery, then I'll get Daikin, Trane and maybe Cambridge to all give me bids on their finest wares.

 

[Rc_Guy]

We live in a pole barn house, we have infloor heat with a boiler and a mini split for air conditioning, didn't want furnace ductwork in the attic.