mini-split air conditioner

CWendling

CWendling

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Sep 10, 2005
Messages
528
How many of yall use one in your shop? Brands preferred? Best place to buy? Do you run all the time or just when going to be in shop? If all the time, how much does it add to electric bill? My shop is about 750 sq ft and insulated. Thinking 1.5-2ton.
 
At first 2 tons sounds like a lot of BTU for a small space, but shops frequently have a lot of heat making things in them and run hot, so if that's the case that's probably about right.

My shop spaces are insulated in the walls and ceiling but get a lot of sun. We installed some heat reflecting film on some of the windows. I have a few cheapo window units here and there to control heat in warm spots as needed but our main AC unit is a Friedrich through the wall unit like you'd see in a hotel room. I think if I had it to do over aging I'd look into a split unit like you're talking about.

edit to add: I would not recommend a Friedrich unit, they're expensive and mine was not well made.
 
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I don't have one but have been researching them for my house since I don't have central air and you can get them precharged and do the install yourself, which is the most attractive thing to me. When I have an hvac project I buy from alpine air, they are a wholemsaler who will deal with diyers and have excellent support. Bought my LP furnace from them when I switched from fuel oil.
 
They work for sure. Any new luxury vacation home in the Cancun area comes rigged with those nowadays and if they can keep up with the heat and humidity there, they are a pretty solid option. Those houses are basically hurricane proof multi story concrete bunkers so ductwork is a bit of a problem. My brother installed one in his youngest daughter's bedroom because the central air ran out of gas before it got down the long hallway. They are very happy with it.
 
I installed a couple Mitsubishi in my 1500 sq.ft. rental lofts. They serve for heat & cooling. Very happy & so are the tennants.
They draw about 1700 watts.
In a shop, you should expect cleaning their filters alot ! Perhaps place the indoor unit where its very easy to reach.
 
I have a Trane. I only use it when I am in the shop. The vents are placed where I spend most of my time. It can be 90 degrees in my shop but when I turn on the AC the cool air blows where I am and it is very comfortable.
 
HVAC tech for the last 18 years here. I like Mitsubishi or Panasonic. You can also get them in a multi split option that allows you to have up to 3 indoor units so instead of one 2 ton indoor unit you can split the 2 tons between 3 indoor units. If you do get a mini Split make sure to keep the coils clean and install it so you don't need a condescension pump.
 
I've been cooling the front part of my shop (750sq feet) with a 12,000 btu widow unit for 17 years. I think it cost around $200. How much do these split things run?

We also have a 18,000 btu unit in the back part of the shop (1000 sq feet) and it gets cold if run all the time!

The smaller unit stays on all the time in summer, the larger one just during the day. Adds around $25-30 per month to elec bill.
 
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Don, a 2 ton with heat and AC is about 1600. Id have to cut a hole in the wall for a window unit, which i really dont think i want to do for resale eventually. I think the mini split would add more appeal than a window unit when we sell eventually
 
CWendling said:
Don, a 2 ton with heat and AC is about 1600. Id have to cut a hole in the wall for a window unit, which i really dont think i want to do for resale eventually. I think the mini split would add more appeal than a window unit when we sell eventually
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That makes sense for resale value.
 
I have a through-wall(like a window unit but designed for a hole in the wall) that does both cooling and heating. My Conex is underneath some trees, thus very easy to cool. The heat works great as well. Depending on your shop layout, I'd put one in each room.
 
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