a.moore wrote:
Kart/Kurt - are you guys talking something like this?
http://www.heatandcool.com/12000-btu-kl ... oC7RPw_wcB...
Yes.
A bit of background.
Mini split systems are very popular in other areas of the world, especially where people live in apartments; most units are made in Japan or China simply because that's where they were developed. They're relatively new here and perhaps because of that, installers are wary of them and take advantage of customer's lack of knowledge, sometimes charging crazy amounts for installation (like, double the price of the unit itself).
Installing them is straightforward but can be challenging to snake the copper refrigerant pipes through the hole in the wall - it's REALLY helps to get assistance with that part of the install. About 90% of mini splits run on 230V and while there are 115V units, the selection is much less and the efficiencies tend to be lower. I did the entire install myself; most of the time was spend running the 230V line over to the installation site (and boy am I glad I did the attic work before the heat hit).
Mini split compressor units come pre-charged with refrigerant - neither you nor an installer has to mess with adding any. The copper lines are available in 10, 15, 20, and 25-ft lengths. The idea is that they're used as-is with their pre-flared fittings so installers don't have to mess with a proper flaring tool. Any excess is coiled near the compressor.
For that size garage you'd probably want a 12,000 BTU unit, a standard size.
Once the room is cooled off you can hardly hear them. Good ones are seriously quiet, like, you have to walk over to it to see if it's even running. I like that.
For price, it's much like anything else, go with a low-end unit and cross your fingers, or pay double for higher reliability, better efficiency, and they're also quieter. Be aware that if you install it yourself, virtually no company will give you a warrantee. For that reason I went with a higher end unit, figuring that the increased reliability would be wise.
You could compromise and do all the work yourself short of vacuuming out the lines and opening the valves. For the installation price - and because I'm stubborn - I bought a vacuum micron gauge, a hose, and a vacuum pump and did it myself. I rationalized it because I can use the vacuum pump for composite work, or at least that's what I tell myself.
Many of the higher end units are true heat pumps, which means in the winter, the same unit can heat your garage, something swamp cooler can't do.
FWIW, I went with this one
http://www.ecomfort.com/Mitsubishi-MZ-FH09NA/p56553.html
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