Split AC units

[Texastaxi]

I can't do it anymore ... I've got to cool down my garage to make it tolerable to work in there.

I tried a roll-around AC unit. It didn't do anything more than a fan would.

I'm looking at split units now.
It's a 3 car garage, so around 600 square feet.
Through some quick research, I think I need a 12-14k btu unit.

Is there a noticeable difference in the different brands?

Will it benefit me to buy a unit bigger than they suggest for the square footage?

Is there any advantages or dis-advantages to the ceiling cassette vs. the wall mounted air handlers?

Lastly, is there anyone on here that does AC work in the west Houston area that could come do the "AC guy" stuff, once I get it all mounted?

[Bullydog]

Yes there is.

We put one in a 480 square foot dog room last year. LOVE it!. I will say, go 16,00 to 18,000 in that size room if its not super insulated.

And we did a ton of research, and by far the Mitsubishi Mini Splits had the highest satisfaction. We purchased the Mr. Slim model and its wonderful. A qualified Mitsubishi installer does have to put it in for warranty purposes.

[MidLifeKtm]

I like Mitsubishi units. Garages arent real well insulated and cars, refrigerators and freezers can give off a lot of heat and I went with 22K. It's awesome!

[Djwilliams]

I have a 1.5 ton LG split system. It is an AC/Heat pump. It works awesome and was easy to install.

[hot_rod_eddie]

I have heard great things about the Mitsubishi units as well. My neighbor has one for his wife salon (built in garage). He loves it and says he will replace his house unit with one as soon as it goes out. Apparently 1 outdoor unit can handle up to 4 inside units. They are small and efficient. Definitely on my list if my main unit goes out.

[Bullydog]

Yup, our plan is to go with a large system for the whole house one day. Our unit is a set it an forget it deal. Set the temp you want and its cools/heats to keep it at that temp year round.

I will go bigger next time, as mine is about at capacity for the room we have it in. But it is super efficient.

[txoutdoorsman24]

Mini split is the way to go.

[Marco]

Minisplit

I installed a rheem minisplit in my mancave/movie room/bar. I went with a 18000 btu from across the border ( nuevo laredo). I installed it myself as i am in the buisness. Payed 1300 bucks for it including line set . Been running great for 2 1/2 years now.

[TxHunter06]

Why not do a self contained unit? You can get a 3ton self contained for $1500. I haven't looked at any smaller than that. I also don't know the difference between a self contained and a mini split. A guy I work with just put a Mitsubishi mini split in his new garage, and while it works, it just seems like something bigger would do a lot better. It seemed slow cooling it down to me. Again I don't really know the difference. I'm not an ac guy, so don't bash me to hard.

[MidLifeKtm]

The "self contained" is better known as a PTAC requires a whole the size of the unit in the wall. Split requires only a whole for line set.

[Texastaxi]

I guess I should have given a little more info on my garage.

Last summer I had the whole ceiling insulated with blown in insulation.
2 of the 3 walls adjoin the house, so they're insulated.
The 3rd wall is an exterior wall (where the unit would be mounted) and un-insulated. I plan to rip out the sheetrock, insulate, and re-sheetrock this wall.
The 4th wall, is the garage doors, which are insulated with 2 layers of 3/4" thick insulating foam.

I hope that it will hold temperature better than an un-insulated garage.

I did see the multi-zone units, but I don't think I'd need that, in here.

[bboswell]

tag

[Marco]

If your thinking of a ptac you might as well go with a window unit. Ptac is just another window unit thru wall.

[TxHunter06]

The "self contained" is better known as a PTAC requires a whole the size of the unit in the wall. Split requires only a whole for line set.

I don't think that's what I'm calling a self contained. I'm talking about the unit that sits outside on a form and has all the A coils/furnace built into it. The only thing you do is hook it up and run the ducting inside. The same thing machine shop and big businesses use. The only hoe you put in the wall is for the ducting to go through and the air return.

[Marco]

You are talking about a package unit.