All,
I have an uninsulated 2-car ‘shop’ that I would like to heat and air condition. In my mind, the best course of action is to skip the portable heaters and window AC units and tap into the central heat/air of the house. I realize that this will not give me independent control of the temp in the shop, and since it is not insulated I will suffer a more extreme climate than in the house in terms of temperature and I am fine with that.
My question is if this is a feasible idea? If it is, do I need to punch in a cold air return to the house for makeup air? I would rather not due to the dust and finishing fumes that may infiltrate the house. I am also not sure if it would even meet code (this is my own house).
Thanks in advance
Replies
The makeup air will come from somewhere - either the dusty air in your shop, or in the form of drafts from whatever air leaks your house has. If you have a gas or oil furnace inside the house, you could interfere with the draft and kill yourself with CO.
I really think you need to look for a different answer.
I would go with an idependent HVAC. For all the reasons that you mentioned.
You would have to have a cold air return or the system will not work properly. And yes this does Not pass code. Since a garage is still considered a garage, intended for cars, you can introduce carbon monoxide into the house with a shared system, not to mention the fumes and dust from your shop.
Helped many friends install older furnaces in their garages. They contact HVAC companies to get older, safe but inefficient furnaces that they have pulled from houses. Usually get a good buy on these and probably still more efficient that heating with your house HVAC. I would use a window AC for the summer.
Edited 1/12/2006 5:23 pm ET by hammer
Really bad idea hooking the house HVAC up to the garage. I dont even think code will allow it (if it does you'd need a fire damper in the duct).
I'd go with something like a Reznor unit. They have a variety of residential approved models.
If you are doing any type of finish work or will have alot of sawdust in the air, go with a sealed combustion chamber model. They're about 50-$100 more but well worth it if you dont blow up.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-0-Ton-Ductless-Minisplit-AC-Heat-Pump-NEW-Hitachi_W0QQitemZ5963548950QQcategoryZ20598QQcmdZViewItem
Fill out your profile so we know where you are located. The above might be reasonable depending on your location.
I would not want to add shop dust to our cat dander and other household dust.
So is your k1500 truck or Tahoe?
Edited 1/13/2006 12:08 am ET by rasconc
Everyone,<!----><!----><!---->
Thanks so much for your help. Obviously I had some trepidations about the idea, I am glad I asked. I live in <!----><!----><!---->Fort Smith<!----> <!---->Arkansas<!----><!---->, so I am actually more concerned with the AC than the heat. I will go the window AC route and further investigate heat. All I really need in the way of heat is to keep the shop at or above 50 degrees. I don't mind working in the cold (unless it is extreme), but PVA glue does.<!----><!---->
rasconc, It is actually both. Over the course of several years I've had a couple of 1/2 ton Chevy Trucks and my wife has had a couple of Tahoes. I thought about getting a 2500HD last time around but I didn't want to change my user name (ha ha). Actually, the mileage would have stunk and I currently don't pull enough heavy stuff to justify the mileage hit.<!----><!---->
Thanks to all again.
Get a PTAC unit set up as a heat pump and some electric resistance backup heat. Should work fine.
I guess I could change mine to c1500/k1500. For my Silverado and DW's Hoe.
That unit I did the link for was avail in 3/4 ton on up and really looked like a fair deal. You get to keep your window and are more secure and it looks pretty good.
Do they have a sizing chart for tonage requirements? The unit looks pretty cool.
Thanks for your help.
I do not know, use the ask seller a question if you are a registered user. Here is link to company with contact us info. I do not know anything about this, someone here provided a link a while back and I am just returning the favor, paying it forward if you will.
Bob
http://www.soleusair.com/Industrial/index.htm
Quit fool'n around and insulate that sucker! Then you can consider an appropriate way to heat & cool - at a much lower demand/cost.