I have an un-insulated 640 SF garage/shop. It has open stud walls and rafters. The walls are currently clad with Peg Board.
I am considering installing a window or through wall AC with supplemental heat to provide temporary cooling and heat while I am in the shop and working. I don't expect it to feel like my living room out there. It gets up in the high 90's for about 3 months and even with doors and windows open and fans running, its not a real pleasant place be. I am just looking for some cool air blowing on me, maybe supplemented with some fans to move the temperature 10 to maybe 20 degrees to create a more comfortable working environment. The heat would only be used intermittently during a few cold winter days to keep the temp in the shop above freezing, and to knock the cold edge off when working after a cold front. 6 months of the year I won't need anything but open doors. This wouldn't be for 24/7 climate control, just mostly used during the time I am out there in the evenings or on weekends, during the few months when it is needed.
I know that it would be better to insulate, but I have future plans to renovate and will address that at that time. I am just looking for an interim solution for cool air. It is too humid here to use the evaporative type of coolers and I don't like the thought of all that additional moisture in the air.
I am looking at the window units sold at HD and LOWES. They both have a similar selection. I am limited in power for this effort to either 20 amp 115V circuit or a 20 amp 230V circuit. There looks like Lowes/HD have a 230V 18,000 BTU unit that draws 7.3 amps cooling and 16 amps heating. This unit is rated for a 1050 sf area.
18000 BTU unit is more than what is needed for this footprint, but given the lack of insulation and open rafters, I am thinking the larger unit may be a better choice. Otherwise, I think it may size to a 12 to 14 ton unit.
I am wondering if anyone has done anything similar and if this worth pursuing. I can accept an increase in the electric bill and don't mind the +/- $500 investment in the unit.
Thanks for your help
Edited to change tons to BTU's!
Brad
I am considering installing a window or through wall AC with supplemental heat to provide temporary cooling and heat while I am in the shop and working. I don't expect it to feel like my living room out there. It gets up in the high 90's for about 3 months and even with doors and windows open and fans running, its not a real pleasant place be. I am just looking for some cool air blowing on me, maybe supplemented with some fans to move the temperature 10 to maybe 20 degrees to create a more comfortable working environment. The heat would only be used intermittently during a few cold winter days to keep the temp in the shop above freezing, and to knock the cold edge off when working after a cold front. 6 months of the year I won't need anything but open doors. This wouldn't be for 24/7 climate control, just mostly used during the time I am out there in the evenings or on weekends, during the few months when it is needed.
I know that it would be better to insulate, but I have future plans to renovate and will address that at that time. I am just looking for an interim solution for cool air. It is too humid here to use the evaporative type of coolers and I don't like the thought of all that additional moisture in the air.
I am looking at the window units sold at HD and LOWES. They both have a similar selection. I am limited in power for this effort to either 20 amp 115V circuit or a 20 amp 230V circuit. There looks like Lowes/HD have a 230V 18,000 BTU unit that draws 7.3 amps cooling and 16 amps heating. This unit is rated for a 1050 sf area.
18000 BTU unit is more than what is needed for this footprint, but given the lack of insulation and open rafters, I am thinking the larger unit may be a better choice. Otherwise, I think it may size to a 12 to 14 ton unit.
I am wondering if anyone has done anything similar and if this worth pursuing. I can accept an increase in the electric bill and don't mind the +/- $500 investment in the unit.
Thanks for your help
Edited to change tons to BTU's!
Brad
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