Workshop Air Conditioning - Frigidaire Made-in-China!!

[Steppenwolfe]

Here is one to consider..

DIY Ductless Mini Split Install - MrCool Unit - YouTube

Once we move into house....next spring I'll be ready for the same thing......our 30x50 was partially closed off for a temp living area so a 30x30 is shop space.....one of these should help keep humidity down a bit.....

I'm looking at that unit now for my 3 bay garage of about 1200 sq ft. What do you think of it?

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I installed an 18k Mr Cool DIY series mini split in my 800 square foot hunting camp and so far after a little over a year I couldn't be happier.

 

[YLee Kioti]

I have both a Mitsubishi mini split and one of the MrCool DIY units-the Mitsu is in our residence and the 48k Mr Cool unit I installed in my 40x60 shop. It is currently holding a comfortable 70F while the outside temp is bumping 90F.

thanks for that...perfect......for what I needed to know...for next spring......

 

[JethroB]

I have a Amana hotel type heat pump unit (PTAC) in my small shop that has worked well. 18,000 AC/14,000 heating. $1200. The downside is the huge hole that had to be cut in the wall and it is a bit noisy. I will go with a mini-split if I ever replace it.

 

[kenmac]

If you're in Texas area and looking for a mini split system .Check out my SIL's company @ weatherallreps.com 817-600-4697
They also ship units

Weatherall Reps - Home | Facebook

 

[Buggs67]

I got what the call a portable ac. It looks like a dehumidifier but is larger. It will keep my 28’x30’ below 80 on a hot day. It nice since you can just crack a window about 6” to put the vent tube in. I had a window unit but the wasps built nests in it and destroyed it. With no windows I am not sure if you could figure out how to vent a portable one or not.

What brand and how many BTUs? I could cut a hole in the wall to duct the vent; like a clothes dryer. I figure I need 12,000 BTUs. Where are they made?

I was thinking of an LG thru-the-wall unit. Lowes has one for about $600 shipped to the store. That way I can check for damage before I accept it.

 

[JethroB]

I got what the call a portable ac. It looks like a dehumidifier but is larger. It will keep my 28遅30 below 80 on a hot day. It nice since you can just crack a window about 6 to put the vent tube in. I had a window unit but the wasps built nests in it and destroyed it. With no windows I am not sure if you could figure out how to vent a portable one or not.

We installed one of the portable units in our small server room at work as a backup. It worked well. I believe we did have to run a condensation drain line to the outside.

 

[jaxs]

Regardless of brand or configuration,provide for increased filteration to preserve long term function. Mini-splits are easy to install,most only require a single 3'' hole through an outside wall.

 

[EddieWalker]

This has been a record hot summer and as I get older I find the heat more exhausting. So I'm going to air condition my workshop. It's 20X30 and well insulated. It will maintain a temp of 75 - 80 with the doors closed. As it has no windows I am getting a through the wall unit.

After looking around the internet and reading reviews I settled on a Frigidaire unit at 12,000 BTUs. Ordered it from Amazon. It arrived today. Looked good on the outside. Opened the box and all the Styrofoam was destroyed. The side is dented in and the other side bowed out, as well as one sprung screw. I sent Amazon a Return Request. I was also unhappy to discover it is made in China! Now I'm waiting to hear back (48 hours)

So I'm back on the quest.

Any experience with this type of project, I'd appreciate your input.

Putting a window unit in a wall can lead to a lot of issues with water getting into the wall. Flashing that opening has to be perfect because window units create massive amounts of water that typically drips out the back of the unit, and onto the ground below. This leads to termites and other bugs, along with mold and mildew if the water isn't addressed.

Split systems are an affordable option to an entire house system, but significantly more expensive then a window unit. Nothing is cheaper then a window unit!!!

If it was me, I would look into adding a window to the wall.

If adding a window isn't an option, I would still go with a window unit over a split system because of the cost. I've also never been in a room with a split system that I felt was as comfortable as a whole house HVAC system. When I walk into a room, or small house, that uses a split system, it's noticeably warm and muggy feeling to me. Not that dry, cool air that I prefer. Window units do a fantastic job of drying out the humid air, and if left running, they keep a room nice and cool too. You just have to get one big enough for the room, and have the power available for it. Some require a 30 amp 120 volt outlet, which is very rare in any house or shop. 20 amp is more common, but it's also best if it's a dedicated 20 amp outlet.

Two years ago I had a new Amana HVAC system installed in my house and I was told it was the only brand made in the US. My HVAC guy said that he toured their plant and was impressed with their quality control. Everything was tested, over and over again. I don't know if they build window units there or not. They sell Amana window units at Home Depot, but I've never looked at them. I have found that Home Depot will sometimes be cheaper then Amazon. Especially when shopping online and having it delivered to the store for pickup.

Amana - Window Air Conditioners - Air Conditioners - The Home Depot

 

[dodge man]

I think the portable unit I bought was either 10,000 or 12,000 btus. I bought it at the local Walmart store. They can also run as a dehumidifier only. They do either need a drain line or you have to drain it yourself. I have a floor drain in my shop so I just wheel it a few feet and pull the plug. I also run a dehumidifier so that cuts down on the water it accumulates. We have had heat indexes near or over 100. I usually just run it when I am in the shop but I was working in it a couple of days straight and my 28’x30’ shop would start out at 70 in the morning a creep up near 80 by afternoon.