Mini-split AC/Heat system 12K BTU for $595.00 - what say you?

[Baz]

One of my customers showed me his a few weeks ago and I was impressed by how quiet it was and how relatively easy it was to install.

Now I'm thinking about putting one in my 2 car garage - especially for this kind of money.

http://daytona.craigslist.org/app/4526432485.html

I'd use my garage more if it were climate controlled.

What say ye?

[URY914]

I've had several installed in different buildings. Telephone equipment rooms, etc. They work well.

Your garage attic space needs to be insulated as well as your garage door. Most attics and g-doors in Florida are not. The sun beating down on a metal door will really heat up.

[Baz]

Thanks Paul - good points. It's a flat roof with exposed plywood underneath so I guess I could tack up some insulation easy enough. The garage door is fiberglass but it is facing north so is shaded all day which might help. Something to think about though - thanks again.

[Rtrorkt]

Have installed many split systems in projects in hot climates. Insulation will cut operating costs and is a good idea but most are pretty robust and could cool a garage. How the outlet unit is placed is very important

[fireant911]

We just had a system installed two weeks ago (two 9K wall mounted heat pumps and one 18K outdoor condenser). That price on the link you provided is CHEAP!!! It cooled my garage upstairs office quickly (in hot and humid Alabama) and both the indoor and outdoor units are quiet... amazingly quiet. We installed Fujitsu though I know nothing about the brand listed from your link.

Sizing the unit, by far, was the MOST difficult part of the equation. Go to ecomfort.com and use their sizing calculator (it takes in consideration your location and the direction of your room).

[Baz]

Originally Posted by fireant911

We just had a system installed two weeks ago (two 9K wall mounted heat pumps and one 18K outdoor condenser). That price on the link you provided is CHEAP!!! It cooled my garage upstairs office quickly (in hot and humid Alabama) and both the indoor and outdoor units are quiet... amazingly quiet. We installed Fujitsu though I know nothing about the brand listed from your link.

Sizing the unit, by far, was the MOST difficult part of the equation. Go to ecomfort.com and use their sizing calculator (it takes in consideration your location and the direction of your room).

Hey Daryl,

Thanks for the info and link. I just used the sizing calculator and sounds like this 12K unit would work just fine for my garage.

RTR and some Jimmy Buffet on the Music thread for you! Thanks again!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

Have installed many split systems in projects in hot climates. Insulation will cut operating costs and is a good idea but most are pretty robust and could cool a garage. How the outlet unit is placed is very important

Thanks for the input Retro!

[Baz]

OK the deal is going down tomorrow.

I'll let you know how it all works out but I don't expect any issues.

In all the years of home ownership and the various hassles involved with HVAC over the years - I'm truly looking forward to implementing this modern technology for my garage.....woohoo!

[ShakinJoe]

Baz,

I sell these things for a living here in FL. The thing you have to be careful about is the lower end models and the parts availability. We are in lightening capital of the world so use a surge protector at install. Pull a good vacuum and let her rip.

[fireant911]

Baz,
Go to the garagejournal.com ('Heating and A/C' section - Pelican Parts Technical BBS - Powered by vBulletin) as several folks have documented their mini-split installation. I suspect that you will be extremely pleased with the performance that you feel with this project.

[95avblm3]

Baz,

We have a "Mr Whisper" mini-split at our beach condo. Never heard of Mr. Whisper but I assume it is a cheap brand... it was there when we bought it. However, it works really well! and is silent.

We are so happy with it that I am planning to replace the window shaker in our guest room, which is separated from the main house by a screened porch, with a mini-split. I have a former neighbor who owns a wholesale AC supply house who is going to sell me one at cost. He sells Goodman and Diamond Air. Don't really know much about either brand except that Daiken purchased Goodman/Amana a couple of years ago to gain a foothold in the US market. My understanding is that Daiken has helped improve the quality of Goodman... This understanding is via a Daiken dealer and not my own independent research, so take it for what it's worth but I will probably be looking at a Goodman for our guest room.

[jyl]

If you use 30' lines, is that a problem? Something like this would do nicely for my attic, which isn't well served by the central air.

[1990C4S]

Is that 120 VAC or 220?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by ShakinJoe

Baz,

I sell these things for a living here in FL. The thing you have to be careful about is the lower end models and the parts availability. We are in lightening capital of the world so use a surge protector at install. Pull a good vacuum and let her rip.

Thanks Joe - very good suggestion. I'm at the very beginning of the learning curve here - for $600.00 and just for my garage I guess if I have issues with this unit it won't be the end of the world. Hopefully this will work OK at least for a few years.

Originally Posted by fireant911

Baz,
Go to the garagejournal.com ('Heating and A/C' section - Pelican Parts Technical BBS - Powered by vBulletin) as several folks have documented their mini-split installation. I suspect that you will be extremely pleased with the performance that you feel with this project.

Daryl - excellent forum link! I just browsed a couple mini-split threads and there is some useful intel there! Thanks again sir!

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

Baz,

We have a "Mr Whisper" mini-split at our beach condo. Never heard of Mr. Whisper but I assume it is a cheap brand... it was there when we bought it. However, it works really well! and is silent.

We are so happy with it that I am planning to replace the window shaker in our guest room, which is separated from the main house by a screened porch, with a mini-split. I have a former neighbor who owns a wholesale AC supply house who is going to sell me one at cost. He sells Goodman and Diamond Air. Don't really know much about either brand except that Daiken purchased Goodman/Amana a couple of years ago to gain a foothold in the US market. My understanding is that Daiken has helped improve the quality of Goodman... This understanding is via a Daiken dealer and not my own independent research, so take it for what it's worth but I will probably be looking at a Goodman for our guest room.

Thanks 95 - I'm finding out there is something to be said for brand value on these units. We'll see what happens with mine. Please keep us posted with your purchase as well.

Originally Posted by jyl

If you use 30' lines, is that a problem? Something like this would do nicely for my attic, which isn't well served by the central air.

Not sure John - those Garage Journal links Daryl posted would be worth checking out for more info or I guess you could call a dealer and ask them.

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Is that 120 VAC or 220?

Mine is 220v - comes with a plug so all I need is a 220v receptacle.

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OK I picked up the unit yesterday - 3 boxes containing outside condenser unit, inside air handler, and hoses. I have a busy week this week with work so probably not going to get it installed until end of week or next weekend. I have 220v in my garage for my irrigation pump - have to see if I can split off it for this - I may have to run a separate line for it, which will be a pain but is doable. I will keep y'all updated as appropriate. Thanks again for all the input - it's greatly appreciated.

[Baz]

BTW - there's quite a lot of info on the Internet about these systems I'm finding out.....here's a YT video from Senville about their brand.....

[Baz]

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm standing by to be jealous. I would kill for garage A/C.

[rfuerst911sc]

I have a 3 bay detached garage which is actually a two bay garage that the previous owner added a 3rd bay so there is a dividing wall between them. My plan is to install a mini-split that can run two cooling units it really is the way to go in my opinion. I still have a few open slots in my electrical box so I don't think an additional electrical run will be an issue for me. I still have to enclose the ceiling and insulate before I am ready so hopefully next year. Can't wait to hear your results because if it works well in your humidity it will work anywhere ! Keep us posted.

[VincentVega]

Good info. I've been looking at a mini split too, seems like a great option.

I'm standing by to be jealous. I would kill for garage A/C.

Simplest way is to still a window unit in the wall. Easy peasy.

[T77911S]

i am working on getting AC in my garage.
right now i have a 1 ton window unit in but i also have a 1.5 ton split unit i want to put in.
i just replaced the AC in my house and i kept the old indoor unit. i cut it up so i have the blower and the heat strips with controls. makes one heck of a fan, but its wired for 240. i would like to hang it so i can have heat in the summer.

i need much better insulation.
i insulated the sunny side wall but the ceiling is the problem. i also have attic air dumping into the garage so that does not help. got to figure out how to close it off and get up there for storage.

i really have no ceiling in my garage. i have 8ft wide storage in the center and i get to from the sides.

if i turn onthe window unit in the morning it is not so bad. i need to get the split unit up.
its not like the ones you are talking about i dont think. it is a regular split system