Mini-Splits vs. Garage Heaters: What’s Best for My Shop?
Comfortable isn’t usually a word used to reference a garage. But many homeowners maximize this location as a workshop for home improvement projects or pastimes like woodworking. Mulling changing your garage into a home woodshop? By adding heating and cooling, you’ll be able to use the space year-round.
Standard systems, such as a furnace, heat pump or air conditioner, are typically expensive because of the ductwork that’s needed. Not to mention, garages are often detached.
The two most frequently used options are garage heaters or mini-split systems, because they don’t require ductwork. But which system should you choose? It’s essential to be informed about each to find the most energy-efficient solution for your needs. Sawdust needs additional thought since these particles can bog down filters and decrease your system’s efficiency.
We go over the differences to help you pick the ideal system for your budget.
Mini-Splits: Best for Heating and Cooling
Ductless mini-splits are similar to a heat pump, since they move heat rather than generating it. This makes them very energy efficient. They’re mounted on your wall and connect to an exterior unit with a small hole in the wall. A mini-split air conditioner is loved for its energy efficiency and nearly noiseless operation. This makes it great for craftsmen looking for a relaxing, cozy area to work. Since they deliver both heating and cooling, mini-splits can be run all year round. Since wood expands with shifts in temperature, complete control over heating and cooling is extremely useful. Most carpenters and woodworkers advise doing work in temperatures very close to where the completed product will live. Changing your filter frequently is an essential piece of maintenance. Sanding creates a lot of sawdust. If you don’t keep up with your mini-split’s filter, you might lower your system’s efficiency and life span. A mini-split also needs regular service from a professional HVAC specialist, like one from A1 Chesney Service Experts. Keeping its internal parts clean and lubricated will help reduce the likelihood of malfunctions and might even help it last longer.Garage Heaters: Ideal for Cold Climates
Garage heaters work a bit differently. They make warmth, so it’s ideal to compare one to a miniature furnace. They’re mounted on the ceiling, typically in a corner. If you need your garage for additional storage, consider the fact that these heaters will eat up a part the overhead area. The biggest difference between garage heaters and mini-split systems is the fuel type, because mini-splits are electric. Propane or natural gas garage heaters are both typical types, but there are electric garage heaters also if you don’t want to bother with fuel sources. Garage heaters come with a bonus that gives them a leg up on a mini-split system. They don’t have to have a filter and some models have sealed combustion chambers, which keeps sawdust from getting into those internal components.Key Distinctions Between Mini-Splits and Garage Heaters
In the end there are a lot of things to keep in mind, including the temperatures in Calgary. These encompass:-
- Whether you want both heating and cooling, or just heating.
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- Your budget.
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- How much wall space you have in your garage.
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- How much time and money you want to spend on service.
