If only it were as simple as adding a minisplit. My problem is that the interior of my garage looks like this:
Pouring heat or cooling into such a space would pretty much be a waste of good electrons.
Tired of dripping sweat into your intake? No longer excited to stew in your own juices? Simply looking to make the garage a more comfortable place to work?
How about a mini split a/c unit? They're billed as efficient to run and easy to install.
What does the reality say? Is it really a DIY install? Will it jack up the electric bill? Let's follow forum user Slippery's install thread.
If only it were as simple as adding a minisplit. My problem is that the interior of my garage looks like this:
Pouring heat or cooling into such a space would pretty much be a waste of good electrons.
I have a garage that looks a lot like that. I added a window unit and it made a significant difference and I'm in FL. I imagine a mini split would be even more effective.
Last year, I added a mini-split to my garage for heating (down to 30F) and cooling (up to 95F), and it works amazingly well. It's the same Mr. Cool DIY unit and even has remote wifi functionality. Insulation always helps make it more efficient. I'm able to spend much more time comfortably in the garage. I should have done it years ago.
Just finished out my garage with insulation, drywall, LEDs, and Mr Cool DIY 18k mini split. It's now my den / office. Kids can keep the main house.
I started with a 16k BTU window unit and an insulated garage (in Texas), which helped.
Next I went to a 2 ton (24k BTU) heat pump with the indoor unit on a stand against the back wall (air in the bottom, out the top). Works great, can even cool the garage after I've rolled a hot car inside.
I live in northern climate and installed a heat pump as the sole source of heat in my detached garage. Best investment ever! Cheap to run, cozy in winter and refreshing in summer. My garage is fully insulated though.
A friend of mine has a mini split in his shop and it works really well. I use a 12,000 btu (220 volt) window unit built into the wall. My shop is an enclosed carport about 20' x 20' I never insulated the studded walls or covered them. However there are three things that made a real difference in the cooling of the shop. The ceiling was covered in plywood and after doing additional electrical work for lighting and extra wall plugs I blew in about 24 inches of cellulose insulation no plastic or vapor barrier. I insulated the garage door with foam panels, foam on one side and a plastic coating on the other. It was amazing how hot the uninsulated metal felt to the touch a giant heat sink transferring heat into the shop. The third thing is I run a dehumidifier 24/7 with the drain through the wall. Not only makes it feel cooler but tools don't rust and there is no mildew. I live in south Alabama and it gets quite hot and very humid. I don't run the AC continually but if I know I'm going to be working out there I turn it on the day before and leave it on for a few days at a time or turn the temp up. I'm sure insulated walls would help but these improvements made a huge difference and would be even better with a mini split.
If I get AC in the garage before I get in the house my wife will kill me.
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