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A cool project….

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Gliderman8

Gliderman8

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….I’m installing a mini split in my work area.
Bought a mini split to cool/heat my work shop. It was unusable all winter and in the summer the heat is too much to work in there.
Never attempted a HVAC installation before so I’m up for the challenge. Got a lot done today. Just have to move the outdoor compressor onto the pad, hook up the electric, and copper lines, then evacuate the lines. Hopefully it’s running next week if the weather cooperates.
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I installed one in my Airstream trailer that I use for an office. Works beautifully. I had to have a HVAC guy evacuate and charge the system.
 
John Turney said:
I installed one in my Airstream trailer that I use for an office. Works beautifully. I had to have a HVAC guy evacuate and charge the system.
Click to expand...
I borrowed a vacuum pump and gauges… going to give it a try.
 
You will enjoy it in the summer.
They are not so great for heat if it gets real cold where you are.

I have installed many of these systems.
 
Low'n slow said:
You will enjoy it in the summer.
They are not so great for heat if it gets real cold where you are.

I have installed many of these systems.
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Oh it gets cold here in PA. In anticipation of low expectations regarding heat I decided to get a larger BTU system. I’m looking forward to completing the installation.
 
Higher than 12K btu?

If that's the only heat source in your workshop, I'd suggest a small resistance heater too, for those days when outside temps are below 50F.

TM
 
NutmegCT said:
Higher than 12K btu?

If that's the only heat source in your workshop, I'd suggest a small resistance heater too, for those days when outside temps are below 50F.

TM
Click to expand...
Yes, it’s 18k btu. It’s not a very big area.
 
NutmegCT said:
Higher than 12K btu?

If that's the only heat source in your workshop, I'd suggest a small resistance heater too, for those days when outside temps are below 50F.

TM
Click to expand...
A unit like that should still put out heat down to around 25F, probably lower. My "big" heat exchanger which heats the warm water for under floor heating works is rate to -5F without a back up. If you aren't getting sufficient heat at 50... you need insulation.
 
70herald said:
A unit like that should still put out heat down to around 25F, probably lower. My "big" heat exchanger which heats the warm water for under floor heating works is rate to -5F without a back up. If you aren't getting sufficient heat at 50... you need insulation.
Click to expand...

Agreed! It still puts out heat - but at the low outdoor temps, the compressor has to crank much harder/faster, and the electricity use skyrockets. Ask me how I know!

Thanks Yisrael.
TM
 
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NutmegCT said:
Higher than 12K btu?

If that's the only heat source in your workshop, I'd suggest a small resistance heater too, for those days when outside temps are below 50F.

TM
Click to expand...
I bought this unit to cool/heat my work area attached behind my garage and it is insulated. It’s not living space so I’m sure this will meet my requirements.
If it were living space, I would have considered buying a better unit.
 
Central Indiana. I have a garage that's 24' wide by 28' long. One side has a flat ceiling 14' high. Other side, the ceiling slopes down to 8 ft at the outside wall. 2x4 construction, fiberglass insulation. Walls and ceiling have drywall. The north facing wall has a 10'x12' (width x height) garage door and a personnel door. Have an industrial natural gas furnace that hangs from the ceiling that provides heat. Have thought about a mini-split system for cooling in the summer. The HVAC company I use gave me a quote for one; one of their technicians said that it wasn't a good way to go. Thoughts?
 
Bob - you might want to start a new thread on this.

My thoughts - if you've already got plenty of heat, then why use a minisplit? Minisplit usually means heat pump for both heating and cooling. Why not just put in a large a/c (a big "window type").

Tom M.
PS - a large refrigerated unit (cooling only) would be a heck of a lot more affordable than a minisplit of the same btu rating..
 
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BobHaskell said:
Central Indiana. I have a garage that's 24' wide by 28' long. One side has a flat ceiling 14' high. Other side, the ceiling slopes down to 8 ft at the outside wall. 2x4 construction, fiberglass insulation. Walls and ceiling have drywall. The north facing wall has a 10'x12' (width x height) garage door and a personnel door. Have an industrial natural gas furnace that hangs from the ceiling that provides heat. Have thought about a mini-split system for cooling in the summer. The HVAC company I use gave me a quote for one; one of their technicians said that it wasn't a good way to go. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Mine is 16’x24’, drywall with insulation and 9’ ceiling. I just built it at the end of last summer.
I can’t tell you how my mini split will perform as it’s not installed yet, but close to being done. Since it’s not living space I bought an inexpensive unit. A friend of mine has one in his bigger workspace and he says it performs well.
My unit is a DIY system. The price was good and the reviews are good. I’ll know more once it’s running. So far the installation has been straightforward.
 
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NutmegCT said:
Bob - you might want to start a new thread on this.

My thoughts - if you've already got plenty of heat, then why use a minisplit? Minisplit usually means heat pump for both heating and cooling. Why not just put in a large a/c (a big "window type").

Tom M.
PS - a large refrigerated unit (cooling only) would be a heck of a lot more affordable than a minisplit of the same btu rating..
Click to expand...
The reason I went to a mini-split for my Airstream was the noise. The existing RV roof AC was so loud I couldn't hear the phone. Also. mini-splits do come in AC only.
 
Installed!
I got everything done today….. 240V to the compressor, connections between indoor and outdoor units, vacuumed the lines and released the refrigerant.
I tested the heat mode and now I have a toasty warm shop. Tomorrow I’ll try the cooling mode, if the heat works, the cooling should too.
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Bravo Elliot!

Multi-speed compressor? Interesting fan blades ...

TM
 
NutmegCT said:
Bravo Elliot!

Multi-speed compressor? Interesting fan blades ...

TM
Click to expand...
Thanks Tom.
Yes, multi speed fan and it has a “turbo” mode. I still have to download the app so I can control remotely.
 
gonzo said:
Clean set up. Are those isolator mounts to reduce vibration? Must be very hush quiet. Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...
Both the inside and outside units are extremely quiet.
I raised the unit up on riser blocks to keep the snow from blocking the condenser during the winter here in the northeast.
For warmer climates putting it directly on a pad would be fine. You can also hang it on a wall mount but for me, this worked out better.
 
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