How to best use 200 sq ft of garage space? (or save my sanity)

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by javadog

I wouldn't use a space heater. Whatever unit you buy to cool the space needs to have the capability of heating.

Make it as big as you can. Consider how much you really need each foot of yard space (probably not much)

Consider losing some of the doors in the space. One seems to be plenty, to me.

I'd rather have tons of florescent lights than any windows.

Minimum of 50 amps. 100 is better. Look at the prices of different-sized panels and see if there's much difference.

I wouldn't put a compressor outside. Lots of options there. Different sizes and types... In the ceiling. In the basement.

JR

I was wondering if there was such a thing as a small heat pump. Probably worth researching a bit more. January/February and July/August are usually the hardest months. I don't really need heating/cooling much other that. That's 1/3 of the year. Heck, it was 62°F and sunny today here in early December (which is unusually warm).

I like openness. I am stuck indoors enough as it is. I like the idea of a little sunshine and being able to swing a couple of doors open while I'm working when the weather permits. But you are right that there is an associated space cost.

Lots of lighting (artificial or otherwise) is a must. But the corollary to good lighting is finished walls and ceilings with light colors to maximize reflectivity.

100A sounds about right. Say 20A for heat/cooling circuit. Lighting and outlets is another 15A, maybe double that. Another 20-30A for big stuff like a compressor or welder. Kegerator, of course. Yea, that adds up quick.

[Cajundaddy]

Something like this would work well in your space.
9,000 BTU Klimaire 15 SEER Ductless Mini-Split Inverter Air Conditioner Heat Pump with 16 Ft Installation Kit

[82 SC]

for a small heat pump/ac unit you it might be more like 30A but check with model first.
Here in NC we got down to 0deg.F this last year and the heater did well. It has a electric back up so it will go to just electric heat when it gets too low for the heat pump.
Have fun!

[javadog]

The problem with doors, and to a lesser extent windows, is that they create wasted space. You can't put anything useful, like a bench or cabinets, in any space that has either. If you create this new space, you'd still have the option of working in your garage, with the doors up, should you choose. Maybe that would be a compromise of sorts. I tend not to do that, since I don't want every lowlife that drives through the neighborhood to see into my space. Maybe a compromise would be an operable window, looking into the back yard, positioned above your main work bench.

Buy a large enough electrical panel for future growth, then just buy the breakers you need now. You can add other breakers later and breakers are expensive. Put in a few runs of wire for 240 V. You might add something down the road, whether it's a compressor, a table saw, or something else. Just run the wire to an empty box. Put power strips on your workbenches.

You'll use the heating and A/C more than you think. We are experiencing highs in the 60's here this week also, but the lows are around freezing and the temps in my garage would be in the 40's, were it not conditioned space. It doesn't sound cold, compared to working outside, but 70 degrees is infinitely nicer. If you use a heat pump, make sure it handles low temperatures. That usually means electric heat backup.

Consider using rolling wire racks for storage.

Consider using an architect. Rather than trying to work around the constraints that you have in your mind, think big and tell an architect what you want and let him figure out a way to make it happen.

JR

[Evan K.]

This thread on the garage journal might give you some good ideas for your limited space.

Tooling organization - The Garage Journal Board