Your garage can be more than just an area to store your vehicles in Auburn and Opelika. It can be an area to work, offer additional storage and more. But when you’re spending more time out there, it needs to be a comfortable temperature.
Garages don’t usually have the ductwork necessary for standard heating and cooling systems. While you can get ductwork, it’s not the most advantageous remedy. The wisest approach to heat your garage is by adding a ductless comfort system, like a mini-split system or a garage heater.
Let’s go through the difference between the two to help you find the ideal solution for your needs.
What is a Mini-Split?
A mini-split is close to a heat pump since it transfers heat instead of creating it. This makes it a highly energy-efficient heating and cooling system for rooms without ductwork. These electric systems are usually installed on a wall and linked to the outdoor unit through a small hole in the wall.
Although a ductless mini-split is more expensive, a lot have received ENERGY STAR® designation for their energy efficiency. They’re also extremely quiet and provide zoned comfort, which gives precise control over your garage’s temp.
Many mini-splits allow you to join several indoor units to an individual outdoor unit. If your garage is part of your home, you may be able to have extra indoor units in areas that are hard to heat and cool.
What is a Garage Heater?
A garage heater isn’t a space heater. This all-encompassing heating solution is placed on the ceiling or the upper corner of a wall. Depending on the model, these heaters can use electricity, gas or propane. They’re a good choice if you are situated in a chilly climate and complete a lot of grubby dirty work. Garage heaters are heavy-duty and designed to stand up to extra grime.
Reviewing Notable Features of Garage Heaters and Mini-Splits
We’ve put together a useful guide to help you choose the best system for your garage.
Price
Garage heaters are the lowest-priced style. The typical price varies because of fuel type, but they’re often about half the cost of a mini-split.
Operating Costs
Garage heaters are similar to a furnace, using fuel to make hot air. A mini-split air conditioner is more similar to a heat pump, which shifts heat. This makes a mini-split more efficient to use. You’ll get even lower utility costs if you get an ENERGY STAR® certified model. And you could be entitled to added rebates due to that energy efficiency.
Fuel Source
Garage heaters have the widest options for fuel types—electricity, gas or propane. Mini-splits are electric.
Heating and Cooling
As its name says, a garage heater is limited to only delivering heat. A ductless mini-split provides both heating and cooling.
Precise Temperature Control
When you want the most precise temp control, a mini-split heat pump is the wisest solution because it provides zoned heating and cooling. That way, your garage will be the right temperature you want it to be.
Space Considerations
Since garage heaters are typically mounted on the ceiling, they can eat up valuable overhead storage room. In comparison, low-profile mini-split systems are typically placed higher up on a wall and don’t require a lot of space.
If you’re still debating between a garage heater and mini-split, the pros Farnell Mechanical, Inc. can help. Reach us at 334-524-2458 today to request a free, no obligation estimate. We’ll go over your needs, recommend a solution and get it installed quickly, so you can begin enjoying your garage workspace much quicker.