Mini Split Heat Pump

[Big Dave2]

What do you know about heat pumps? According to this site, this unit will not only heat but also cool my 2 stall detached garage: http://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewproduct.cfm?productID=453067100

Could that possibly work? Everything I read says they are very efficient. My garage is 26 x 24 and 2x6 construction. I haven't insulated yet but it will be well insulated when I do. I planned on installing a hanging forced air natural gas unit but these things caught my eye. Best part is I wouldn't have to run a new gas line to the garage.

What am I missing? There must be some down side here.

[delcecchi]

If this just works off outside air, its efficiency goes way down when it gets cold outside. If it is geothermal, it requires burying pipes in your yard.

An Air Conditioner and a Heat pump move heat from one side to another. So they can heat or cool. The condenser goes on the heat side and the evaporator is on the cool side.

They list a "heating seasonal performance factor" but I think it is probably for "region 4" which is somewhat warmer than here. Will you want it to work at temps very far below freezing?

[MJBaldwin]

These units will do both heating and cooling. They use refrigerant piping between the two units indoor unit and outdoor condensing unit. I do commercial HVAC design and we use these is spaces that cannot fit ductwork.

They use electricity though so you would probably be better off buying a small gas furnace over one of these.

[LightningBG]

I'd lean towards a pass on the heat pump. Most say they will work well down to 15*. But here in MN, it's when it's really cold that we want a heated garage. When it's 50*, it's not like you're dying to get it to 65. It's when its 10 and you want to get it to 40-50.

[Big Dave2]

Thanks for the replies guys, I thought it must be too good to be true. I wish electricity wasn't such an expensive heating fuel, I hate the thought of hooking up natural gas.

[MJBaldwin]

Its your cheapest option... I have a few co workers that heat their garage and its cheaper for them to use a horizontal furnace than it is to buy a reznor or modine unit... The furnace is a 99% Efficient unit where those reznor or modine units are not even close to that... With the furnace just run some pvc to a concentric vent and your done.. Later on if your looking for cooling you could add an a-coil and a condensing unit....

[Smoker]

I would not put a high efficient in a garage. Min. recomended heat setting is 50 degrees other wise you have chances of your exhaust pipe freezing up plus you need a drain. If you have a drain and want to keep the garage 50 or above you will be fine. Around here a lot of people want to turn it down to 40 or 45 so a unit heater works better.

[reddog]

I have a mini split in my man cave, which is attached to my two car garage. I have in floor hydronic heat in both areas, and use the mini split for cooling the man cave and auxilliary heat in the man cave. The hydronic is slow to heat, but steady. That way, if I have an unexpected gathering in the winter in the man cave, I can boost the temp quickly. The AC side of the mini is awesome when you want to cool the room. Haven't tried the heat pump side of the mini split, but it's coming.

[nobody05]

a heat pump will be fine for heat until it gets below 10 degress or so outside. then your going to need a secondary type of heat. but down to 10 degress its your most enery eff system. then again if you buy a furnace on top of that there goes the saving s

[nobody05]

Another option is a PTHP similar to a hotel jobber . Then when it gets below 10 degrees outside is kicks in a small electric heat strip to help out.

[Big Dave2]

Another option is a PTHP similar to a hotel jobber . Then when it gets below 10 degrees outside is kicks in a small electric heat strip to help out.

That's an interesting thought. Maybe it would be just as simple to have a heat pump for the efficiency and hang one of those electric hanging heaters to help out when the temp drops?

[Josh.P 86]

the new Mitsubishi hyper heat mini splits will work down to 18 below zero. they are very efficient and very quiet. If you are on L.P than electric may be a good option.