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How to Choose the Right Mini-Split for your Garage
How to Choose the Right Mini-Split for your Garage
Ductless mini-split systems are a popular choice for garage conversions. Turning your garage into a livable space–a workshop, game room, gym, office, or home theater–can be a great way to get the most out of your home.
- Typically cheaper than modifying or replacing existing ducted equipment
- Straightforward installation (90-100% can be DIY if you are handy)
- Year-round, energy-efficient heating and cooling
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Independent climate control
- WiFi connectivity and smartphone / smart home hub compatible
6 Sizing Considerations for your Garage
The HVAC experts at Alpine recommend considering the following important factors when choosing the right size and type of mini-split for your garage:- Square Footage
- Ceiling Height
- Insulation
- Air Escape through Gaps and Doors
- The Climate in Your Region
- How Will You Use Your Repurposed Garage?
Square Footage
The first step in finding the right mini-split system for your garage is to know your square footage. Garages vary in size, with typical 1, 2, and 3-car garages being approximately 20’ x 12’ (240 square feet), 20’ x 20’ (400 square feet), and 20’ x 30’ (600 square feet), respectively. If we look solely at square footage, a simple mini-split sizing chart might suggest the following sizes for average 1, 2, and 3-car garages: 9,000 BTU, 12,000 BTU, and 18,000 BTU. However, in many cases, these units would not perform to expectations because the unique attributes of a garage were not taken into account. To avoid undersizing your system, read on.Ceiling Height

- 9 feet or under is normal
- For 10 feet, multiply the square footage by 1.1
- For 11 feet, multiply the square footage by 1.2
- For 12 feet, multiply the square footage by 1.3
- For 13 feet, multiply the square footage by 1.4
- For 14 feet, multiply the square footage by 1.5
- For 15 feet, multiply the square footage by 1.6
Insulation
Attached garages are not well-insulated compared to the rest of your house. Typically, the shared wall between the garage and the home is the only wall that contains insulation. With three out of four sides of the space uninsulated, it will take more power to maintain your desired temperature in the garage than in other rooms of your home. Detached garages usually lack insulation on all sides.We recommend insulating your garage as much as is practical because it can save you from the higher upfront cost of upsizing your mini-split system and the ongoing energy cost of conditioning a poorly insulated space. A cheap and easy garage door insulation kit, which ranges from $50 to $100, will provide at least some protection from temperature swings. Lack of insulation, however, is not a deal-breaker. Upsizing your system by at least one size should provide ample power to maintain your desired temperature within the space.Air Escape through Gaps and Doors

The Climate in Your Region

How Will You Use Your Repurposed Garage?
Two key factors that may affect your system size are: what you plan to do in your space and how often you will use it. Consider the following:Will you be generating heat in the same area you’re trying to cool?


- You have a garage that normally needs 12000 BTUs of cooling. However, you host a weekly game night with 15 friends. When all 15 friends are in your space, they add approximately 400 BTUs of heat per person, per hour. (That’s 15 people x 400 BTUs = 6000 BTUs of heat generated!) Therefore, if you want to stay cool on game night, you’ll need to size up to an 18000 BTU system.

- Your workshop usually needs 18000 BTUs of cooling, but you have a small kiln that adds 5000 BTUs of heat per hour to your space. If you use your kiln during the summer months, then you would need 23000 BTUs of cooling power (18000 + 5000) to stay cool in your space.
Will you use the space frequently or occasionally?
Air Handler Type and Location
Mini-split systems consist of two units–the outdoor condenser or heat pump and the indoor air handler. Air handlers come in various styles to suit both practical and aesthetic purposes. With a garage space, the choice comes down to functionality. Where is the best place to put your air handler, based on the layout of your room? In some cases, your placement needs may determine the type of air handler best suited to your space.The Wall-Mounted Air Handler
The most popular type, and our top recommendation for a garage application, is the wall-mounted air handler. These mount directly on a wall 6 feet or more above the floor and at least 6 inches below the ceiling.
The Wall/Ceiling Air Handler


The Ceiling Cassette
What if your wall space is at a premium, and you have a lower ceiling height? Or perhaps you’re looking for a more discrete unit.
Dual-Zone Mini-Split System (2 Air Handlers)
For oversized or L-shaped garages, you might consider two air-handling units to cover the space. Our multi-zone systems pair one outdoor heat pump with two or more air handlers (same or different styles) to more efficiently mix the air in a larger space.
Questions About Your Project? Ask an Expert!


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