Nowadays, garages are used as more than just a place to park your car. They become your workshop, storage space, exercise room, or place for your large dog to hangout. At Coastal Home Services, we offer a wide range of air conditioning solutions for all your home needs. A mini-split is a great stand-alone solution or a supplement to your HVAC system. These units come in different sizes to accommodate various spaces. Don’t suffer in a too hot or cold garage; upgrade your living space with a mini-split today.
If you are interested in installing a mini-split air conditioning unit in your garage on the Crystal Coast, contact Coastal Home Services today. Give us a call or fill out the online contact form to get in touch. One of our friendly NATE certified HVAC technicians will be more than happy to inspect your space and provide you with a mini-split size recommendation as well as a quote for installation. We look forward to helping you turn your garage into an air conditioned oasis.
What is a ductless mini-split air conditioning system?
Mini-splits are ductless cooling and heating systems that consist of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. These systems are relatively easy to install due to their ductless design. Small units are placed in each room and remove warm air while pushing cold air into the space. Although HVAC units tend to be more popular to control an entire home’s heat, mini-splits make great add ons to rooms that don’t always come with air conditioning, such as garages and bonus rooms. Let’s say you finished renovating your uncompleted basement. Instead of installing another HVAC unit with air ducts, a mini-split system can maintain the new space’s temperature.
Best mini-split air conditioner size for a two-car garage
It is essential to make sure your mini-split is appropriately sized according to the area it will be heating and cooling. Improper sizes result in inefficient systems. Some people believe the larger the mini-split, the more energy it produces, but this isn’t always the case. A small one-car garage requires a 6,000 or 9,000 BTU mini-split, but the higher the garage’s dimensions, the larger unit is required. Two-car garages require a more powerful mini-split at 9,000 to 12,000 BTU.
Best mini-split air conditioner size for a three-car garage
Three-car garages range in size from 32 ft by 22 ft to as big as 40 ft to 30 ft. These size variations drastically change the unit specifications. A 15,000 to 18,000 BTU mini-split will fit garages around the size of 32ft by 22ft. The largest garages at over 40 ft need a system between 30,000 or 36,000 BTU. Make sure to know the dimensions of your garage before choosing a mini-split. At Coast Home Services, we provide the best assessment of your cooling and heating needs. Please give us a call if you are unsure what size mini-split air conditioner you need for your garage.
Calculating the BTU Requirement for Your Garage
One of the most important steps in choosing a mini-split is calculating the British Thermal Unit (BTU) requirement. BTUs measure the cooling or heating capacity of a unit, and choosing the right BTU capacity ensures that your system works efficiently. A unit that’s too small will struggle to keep up with the cooling or heating demand, while a unit that’s too large will cycle on and off frequently, leading to wasted energy and uneven temperature control.
The general guideline for selecting the right BTU for a garage is based on its square footage. For a garage, you can expect to need roughly 20 BTUs per square foot. However, garage-specific factors like ceiling height, insulation, and local climate also play a significant role in determining the appropriate size.
Here’s a rough guide to determining the BTU requirement based on your garage’s size:
- One-car garage (150-300 sq ft): 6,000 – 9,000 BTUs
- Two-car garage (400-600 sq ft): 9,000 – 12,000 BTUs
- Three-car garage (600-900 sq ft): 18,000 – 24,000 BTUs
Considering Insulation in Your Garage
The insulation in your garage is a major factor when choosing a mini-split system. Many garages are not well insulated, which means they lose cool or warm air more quickly. If your garage is poorly insulated, you’ll likely need a higher BTU capacity to keep the space comfortable. Conversely, if your garage has been properly insulated—using insulation for the walls, ceiling, and even the garage door—you may be able to get away with a smaller unit because the space will retain temperature more effectively.
If you’re unsure about your garage’s insulation, consider upgrading it before installing a mini-split. Better insulation reduces the strain on the system, extends its lifespan, and decreases your energy bills.
Impact of Ceiling Height on Mini-Split Sizing
Ceiling height is another key consideration that often gets overlooked. Standard recommendations for BTU calculations are based on a ceiling height of about 8 feet. If your garage has higher ceilings, you’ll need to adjust your BTU needs. The more vertical space there is in the garage, the more air your mini-split will need to cool or heat.
For every foot above the standard 8-foot ceiling, you may need to increase your BTU requirement by about 10%. So, if your garage has 10-foot ceilings, adjust your BTU calculation accordingly. This helps ensure that your mini-split system effectively conditions the entire volume of the space.
Climate Zone and Its Effect on Mini-Split Size
The climate in your area can also impact what size mini-split you need. If you live in a hot and humid area, like along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, you’ll likely need a higher BTU capacity to effectively cool your garage. Conversely, if you live in a milder or colder climate, your BTU requirement for cooling may be lower, but you might need to focus more on heating power if you plan to use the garage year-round.
Garage Usage: Occasional vs. Regular Use
How often you use your garage will also dictate what kind of mini-split unit is best suited for your space. If you only use your garage sporadically—say, for weekend projects or occasional storage—you might be able to opt for a smaller unit or one with lower efficiency. On the other hand, if you use the garage frequently for activities like working out, running a business, or housing pets, you’ll want a more robust system that can maintain a consistent temperature even during extreme weather conditions.
Additionally, if your garage is being used as a workshop with heat-generating equipment or for activities that require temperature-sensitive materials, you may need a higher BTU capacity.
Multi-Zone Mini-Split Systems for Garages with Multiple Rooms
If your garage includes multiple rooms or distinct zones—such as a workspace, storage area, or an area for pets—you might want to consider a multi-zone mini-split system. These systems allow you to install multiple indoor units that connect to one outdoor condenser. This enables you to control the temperature in different areas independently, ensuring that each section of your garage is conditioned based on its specific needs.
For instance, you may want your workshop area cooler while keeping the storage area at a slightly higher temperature. A multi-zone system gives you the flexibility to fine-tune the climate control in different zones without overloading a single unit.
Energy Efficiency Considerations
When selecting a mini-split for your garage, energy efficiency should be a priority. Look for units with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). A higher SEER rating means the unit uses less energy to cool or heat your space, which can result in lower energy bills over time. In addition, some mini-split units offer energy-saving modes, programmable thermostats, and other features that help you optimize performance and reduce power consumption.
Opting for an Energy Star-rated mini-split is another great way to ensure that you’re installing a highly efficient unit. These units meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and they often come with rebates or incentives that can help offset the initial cost of installation.
Consult with a Professional
Ultimately, selecting the right mini-split size for your garage depends on several factors including square footage, insulation, ceiling height, climate, and how you use the space. To make the best decision, it’s often beneficial to consult with an HVAC professional. At Coastal Home Services, we can assess your garage’s specific needs and recommend the perfect mini-split size for optimal comfort and efficiency.
Coastal Home Services Mini-Split Installation Service
Are you tired of sweating or freezing in the garage while using your workspace? A mini-split will solve the problem. Studies also show that mini-splits reduce energy bills by up to 30%. Unlike HVAC units, these systems use calculated algorithms to maintain the desired temperature. Please give us a call and check out our services online and schedule an assessment for your heating and cooling systems. Our team of experts will give you an honest opinion on whether you should invest in a new HVAC unit or a mini-splits unit for your garage.
