Mini-Splits vs. Garage Heaters: What’s Ideal for My Shop?

Cozy isn’t usually a word used to talk about a garage. But many homeowners maximize this area as a workshop for home improvement projects or tinkering including woodworking. Mulling using your garage for a home woodshop? By adding heating and cooling, you’ll have the ability to enjoy the area year-round.

Standard systems, including a furnace, heat pump or air conditioner, are typically pricey due to the ductwork that’s necessary. Plus, garages are often detached.

The two most popular solutions are garage heaters or mini-split systems, because they don’t require ductwork. But which type should you choose? It’s critical to know the benefits of each to choose the most energy-efficient solution for your situation. Sawdust requires extra consideration because these particles can bog down filters and decrease your system’s efficiency.

We review the differences to help you pick the best solution for your budget.

Mini-Splits: Best for Heating and Cooling

Ductless mini-splits much like a heat pump, as they shift heat in place of making it. This makes them extremely energy efficient. They’re mounted on your wall and link to an outside unit through a small hole in the wall.

A mini-split air conditioner is popular for its energy efficiency and nearly silent operation. This makes it ideal for craftsmen searching for a calm, comfy space to work. Because they deliver both heating and cooling, mini-splits can be operated all year round.

Because wood shrinks with shifts in temperature, full control over heating and cooling is highly beneficial. Many carpenters and woodworkers recommend completing work in temperatures similar to where the completed creation will be used.

Inspecting your filter often is a critical piece of maintenance. Using a saw generates a lot of sawdust. If you don’t clean your mini-split’s filter, you might lower your system’s efficiency and life span.

A mini-split also needs frequent upkeep from a professional HVAC specialist, like one from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Keeping its internal components clean and lubricated will help decrease the chance of malfunctions and might even help it last for a greater period of time.

Garage Heaters: Ideal for Chilly Climates

Garage heaters run a bit differently. They make warmth, so it’s ideal to compare one to a little furnace. They’re installed on the ceiling, usually in a corner. If you turn to your garage for extra storage, know that these heaters will eat up some of the overhead room.

A key difference between garage heaters and mini-split systems is the type of fuel they need, since mini-splits are electric. Propane or natural gas garage heaters are both common types, but there are electric garage heaters also if you don’t want to worry about fuel connections.

Garage heaters have a perk that makes them advantageous over a mini-split system. They don’t have to have a filter and some models have separate combustion chambers, which stops 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 the U.S.. These encompass:

• • Whether you want both heating and cooling, or only heating.

• • Your budget.

• • How much ceiling space you have in your garage.

• • How much time and money you want to spend on upkeep.

Ductless mini-split systems cost more to begin with than garage heaters. If you won’t use your woodshop often, this may not be the smartest solution. But woodshops in areas with large changes in weather may benefit from more precise control.

Garage heaters are a simpler, budget-friendly choice. Different models utilize different fuel sources to make heat only, making them bad for warmer weather. Gas or propane garage heaters are ideal if fuel costs are more reasonable. They’re not as energy efficient, so regular use may lead to higher utility costs. But the excellent heat generation is recommended in northern areas.

For dependable advice and installation, go with the HVAC Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We’ll help you make the best choice. And with excellent repair and maintenance services, your shop will be a relaxing area for many years to come. Give us a call at 866-397-3787 to book a free home comfort assessment or appointment today.