Mini Split Questions

Janderso said:
The BTU calculator says I need 32,000 at 78 degrees and 27,000 at 65 degrees.
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Remember that the wall to the house is already conditioned. Also, add good insulation, especially to the fixed thickness of the walls, not the cheapest. The ceiling can be whatever, as long as you aren't adding a floor up there. Good insulation pays for itself with both money and comfort.
 
Jeff,
There are a lot of factors that go into an accurate heat load calculation for A/C. But, for what you're trying to accomplish, if the garage is well insulated, including the ceiling and the garage door and you don't have an excessive amount of glass, you should do fine with 18,000 BTU for cooling.

Ted

PS - My small shop (about 330 sq. ft.) is well insulated and my 12,000 BTU split system will keep it pretty much what ever temperature I desire. You're only trying to condition 440 sq. ft.
 
I would urge you to factor in the floor for both cooling and heating.

If your shop is slab on grade as is mine, that will make the space cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In other words, less Btus than a standard heat loss calculation suggests.
 
I am not sure, I haven't checked yet. Since the garage doors are not insulated, I can only assume the ceiling and walls are not.
However, if you look at the roof line, They may have added insulation to all the ceiling spaces.
The home inspector said there was over 12" of insulation up there.
Will know soon. If the walls are not insulated, I figure I'll cut the holes in the sheet rock and call out the pros.
 
It is unlikely that your garage ceiling is insulated, Jeff. Look to make sure. The roof is by far the greatest source of both heat gain and heat loss in our latitude and climate.
 
Janderso said:
Barely keeps up, is the most efficient? I would think a bigger unit that doesn't need to run constantly to barely keep up would be more efficient.
Keep in mind, I know nothing about it. Just using my flawed common sense with a smile.
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I don't know much about these things. But I was once told that if your a/c unit is too large for your space, it will cool faster but it won't remove enough moisture and could cause mildew and/or a musty smell. Also with more humidity it will not be as comfortable. Humidity may not be a problem where you are but it is major here in East Texas.
Chuck
 
When I first looked at the insulation I thought it was the kit for garage doors. The only difference is the panels are partially pre-cut. I used them on my last house about 2 weeks before the fire.
I figure, the thicker the panels and the better the fit will only help keep the heat/cold in.
 
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