Thoughts or opinions on portable A/C unit for shop?

[John Dorough]

I posted previously about needing to air condition my garage-to-shop makeover. I appreciate the help already given. The mini-split ductless systems are more than I hope to invest. I have now found several "portable a/c units" that I am quite sure would pass my no-window-a/c-deed restrictions.

Will probably need two units to do adequate job. I don't know anything about genuine cooling capacity; air filter effectiveness, etc. Does anyone have experience with such units, in shops, office or computer room environments, etc.

I deeply appreciate your patience and assistance.

John

P.S. Manufacturer names include: Amcor, Sunpentown, Soleus, DeLonghi, et al. I have shown a couple of exemplar units for your consideration.



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[Steven DeMars]

Punch a hole in the wall. Put a window type unit in. If you have restrictions, simply put the majority of the unit inside and let the rear be flush with the exterior wall. Several ways to hide it. . . .

[Mark Duksta]

John,

I had two portable units in my last garage shop. A 12,000 BTU and an 8,000 BTU. The 12K BTU was a Sunpentown. It blew really cold. I don't remember what the other was.

My shop faced west. During the hottest part of summer the units had a hard time keeping up. If I started the units early in the day and let them run, it would cool the garage down and keep it there. They would not cool the shop down very fast if at all if it was already hot in there.

I spent about $900 for both units, and it worked OK at best. This time I'm going to put a mini-split in. I just finished the wiring. I'm just waiting on the financial situation to improve to buy the unit.

Mark

[David Giles]

Can't help on the portable units. But I'm in the final stages of installing a ductless minisplit system purchased online from ductlesshvac.com for about $1000. They've been helpful in minor installation questions. It only takes a 3" hole in the wall for the tubing and electrical. So it goes with me when we move.

[Alan Heffernan]

I have a basement shop in the south and I tried one of these and it wouldn't cool the shop down. I had to take it back and ended up buying a large window unit. BTW, my wife hates the window unit cause it's ugly!

If I had it to do over again, I'd put in a split system.
good luck

[Don Bullock]

I have the Amcor unit in a small uninsulated 10' x 10' shed that we have for our dogs to get in on hot days when we aren't home. The unit does lower the temperature some, but not a whole lot on a very hot day. I have a lot of trouble keeping the vent pipe installed in the bottom of the window of the shed, so I finally cut another hole on the wall for the hot air to escape and put a dryer vent cover over it to keep the rain out.

[Pat Germain]

Dude, you're in Ocala! I'm not at all confident those portable units would work for you.

Now, as I recall, it was here a similar discussion came up awhile back and people questioned why it would make a difference if a window unit was 120V or 220V. It's all about BTUs, right? Well, theoretically I guess it should be all about BTUs.

From my experience living in Oklahoma, where it's almost as hot and just as humid as Florida, I'll say again: I highly recommend a 220V window unit. I don't know why as I'm not an electrical engineer, but I've never, ever, seen a 120V window unit do anything more than wind out, make noise and eventually die when in a very hot and very humid environment.

It may be that a 120V unit pretty much maxes out a regular household outlet, gets it hot and reduces the amount of amps it can pull. Whatever the reason, getting a 220V window unit will do ya. Anything less and I think you'll be disappointed.

[Brad Ridgway]

I second the mini-split over window... I'm a little south east of you and I have a 12000 BTU in my office (220sq ft) in the outbuilding. My father in law is an A/C contractor which makes things nice... We talked about putting in an 18000/24000 in my shop, but i think we're going to install a used small central system.

But the mini-splits are great (he uses LG) they don't consume a window and can be mounted higher and out of your way.

Also think about the dust issue. With a minisplit close to the ceiling, you could probably locate a air filtration box (like the jds) close the minisplit to try to keep dust out of it (the filters are not so good out of the box on my LG). I located my JDS for this very reason...

[Rob Diz]

Perhaps I didn't take the most scientific approach, but here's what I did.

I have one window in my shop. It's big enough to take a large window unit.

I went to Costco when it was really hot out and purchased the largest unit they sold. that unit cooled (and continues to cool) my single car dedicated garagemahal. I also purchased it from Costco with the knowledge that if it died an untimely death, I could bring it back to Costco. I have not had the need to return it. After two years of peacful summer WW, I think I'll keep it.