Workshop A/C - Mini Split or Full Size?

[paris_tj]

I have a 30x40x10 shop fully insulated. Should I get a 2 ton mini split, or a full size 2 ton unit. Price is the same for either unit online. I am not sure installing price would be much different. Full size unit would get a 90 degree on top and that is it. Not used all the time, just evenings and weekends in humid a$$ NE Texas.

what would you recommend?

 

[ket-tek]

I've got a 2-ton 24000btu minisplit in a 28x38x12 and it works great, gets temps in check relatively quick after opening the garage doors.

The decision is mainly ductless vs ducted, but in a big open room with no dividing walls ductless minisplit will be fine.

Both the indoor and outdoor units are slim and take up almost no space, I bought the wall mount bracket kit for the outdoor unit and bolted it to the foundation so it is up off the ground and no need for a pad.

 

[paris_tj]

Well the full size would not be ducted either, just a 90 at the top of the unit blowing out. I have one like that here in a server room and works great. I am thinking mini split will take up allot less room, but was worried it wouldn't cook as a full size unit. I plan on mounting it on the middle of the 40' wall.

 

[ket-tek]

Well the full size would not be ducted either, just a 90 at the top of the unit blowing out. I have one like that here in a server room and works great. I am thinking mini split will take up allot less room, but was worried it wouldn't cook as a full size unit. I plan on mounting it on the middle of the 40' wall.

Ok, I get what you mean with the 90.. Mine is on the middle of the 38' wall opposite of the garage doors and is about 11' up..

 

[stevefasano]

removed due to

 

[stevefasano]

removed due to

 

[DHCrocks]

ditto the full size. you can get a MERV13 filter which will really help to clean out the air. those screens on the splits are a joke.

 

[Mackie007]

One more thing to consider... Make it a heat pump if you don't have heating in the garage, kill two birds with one stone.

Mac

 

[Jackfre]

If dehu is important to you the ms will do a better job. They are all inverter (variable speed) and when you first start them they are set up to go after the latent heat (humidity) first, meaning they will run at lower speed. As they dehu they will go after the sensible (temp) portion of the load. Seamless, but with proper dehu you are comfortable at a higher temp. the technology in a ms heat pump just blows everything else in the industry into the weeds.

As well, while it is a shop/garage noise is a factor in comfort. Put a 90 of the top of the central unit and it will be loud. Air filtration is better with it though. In my shop, I ran a dust collector and had one of the JDS200 air filter boxes. That gave me a pleat and a bag filter. It worked well.

Kinda strange writing about my shop in the past tense. We sold the house 2/28 and living in a 700 sq ft apt until August. I miss my stuff. It is all in storage. Last night I found myself rubbing chop stick together to see if I could build a fire for something to do.

 

[paris_tj]

I agree the full size will be louder, but not to bad. In my server room at work, we haev a 7.5 ton unit done that way, and it is not that bad really. It is nothing to a compressor running, or air tools, or lots of stuff. I run a radio in the server all the time and can hear it just fine. If i move or close the vents on the 90 at work, it does get loud. I was not even going to do that in my shop, just a straight 90 wide open. I been looking at this system here...

http://www.acwholesalers.com/Goodman_Heat_Pump_Air_Conditioner_System_p/11704.htm

What is everyone thoughts? Is 2 ton enough or should I got 2.5?

 

[janarvae]

I agree the full size will be louder, but not to bad. In my server room at work, we haev a 7.5 ton unit done that way, and it is not that bad really. It is nothing to a compressor running, or air tools, or lots of stuff. I run a radio in the server all the time and can hear it just fine. If i move or close the vents on the 90 at work, it does get loud. I was not even going to do that in my shop, just a straight 90 wide open. I been looking at this system here...

http://www.acwholesalers.com/Goodman_Heat_Pump_Air_Conditioner_System_p/11704.htm

What is everyone thoughts? Is 2 ton enough or should I got 2.5?

I'd go with budgetheating.com. Just bought a 1.5 ton Goodman heat pump split system from them last week to replace an old 10 SEER Bryant R-22 system I have in the house. They are local (Tampa), so I picked it up, but they were still cheaper with shipping than Acwholesalers.com. I had bought a 4 ton Goodman heat pump split system from acoutlet.com, located in Miami and it was more expensive than budgetheating.com and the contractor they recommended was ****. WORST INSTALL EVER! They didn't even answer my calls to honor the labor warranty. For the garage, I am going to go with a mini ductless over a split system (space issue).

The problem with all these websites is you still have to find a good contractor who is willing to install it, flush the old lineset, uses nitrogen, etc.. And companies do not like to install systems you bought offline because they make a healthy margin on equipment, on top of labor charges. For the 4 ton system, I was quoted 1K over my online cost for the system and then they were charging a good labor rate too. I decided to go the online route and got bit for it. This time around, I am actually relocating the air handlers to the attic to fix a big duct issue and have found a competent contractor to flush the lines, who uses nitrogen, and measures in microns.

To find a contractor that will install online systems, click HERE. This is a link that alpinehomeair (a HUGE online wholesaler, but $$$) uses to direct customers to local contractors that will install systems. You can use these leads to get quotes.

I would think that the mini would be cheaper to install as it is lighter/less cumbersome for the contractor?