Mini-split units are commonly installed in garages to regulate temperature. These units can provide both heating and cooling capabilities to make your garage more comfortable.
Installing a mini-split unit gives you full control over your temperature settings in this space. With a mini-split unit, you can zone sections of your property independently from your whole-home HVAC system.
Garages typically require between 6,000 and 12,000 Btu. Before you buy a mini-split unit, you need to measure your space. Having a correctly-sized mini-split ensures that you can heat or cool your garage adequately.
If you’re not sure where to begin when shopping for a mini-split unit for your garage, you’re in the right place. This article will help you understand mini-split systems.
This includes how mini-split systems work, picking the right size, and how to get one for your garage.
Garage Type | Garage Width(Ft) | Garage Length(Ft) | Square Footage(SF) | What Size Mini-Split You Need |
One-Car Garage | 12 | 22 | 264 | 9,000 Btu |
Two-Car Garage | 24 | 24 | 576 | 15,000 Btu |
Three-Car Garage | 32 | 22 | 704 | 18,000 Btu |
Four-Car Garage | 40 | 22 | 880 | 24,000 Btu |
Yes, you can install a mini-split unit in your garage. This is a good solution to keeping temperatures comfortable in this in-between space.
In the winter, mini-splits can keep your garage above freezing while your home stays warmer with your main heating system. In the summer, you can cool the garage only as needed while your home stays comfortably cool all summer with your main air conditioner.
It’s common to find that your home was not built with heating or air conditioning inside the garage. Mini-split units provide a simple solution to retrofit heating and cooling to this space.
Trying to make your existing HVAC system extend to your garage can be challenging and expensive. It usually requires adding ductwork and/or up-sizing your existing centralized equipment (furnace and AC unit).
You can save money by opting for a new mini-split on your existing garage rather than trying to add to your existing centralized system.
Set your temperature in your garage between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. This keeps the air well-above freezing.
If you live where snow and ice are common, keeping your garage above freezing will encourage it to melt off. That way, your vehicle stays dry and clean.
Keeping your garage set above this range also keeps the temperature above the dew point to avoid condensation and moisture problems.
Of course, it’s also fine to set your garage temperature higher than 65 degrees in the winter for comfort if you spend much time in the space.
It can cost between $1,000 to $4,000 for professional installation of a mini-split system for average-size garages.
A 12,000 Btu, which is adequate for a 20 x 20–foot garage, has an average installed cost of around $3,000.
Larger garages and more complicated setups will increase the cost of your mini-split unit and installation.
If you want to save money on installation and are feeling handy, you can install your mini-split unit yourself. Depending on the manufacturer, you can find 12,000 Btu mini-split units for under $1,000 at local big box stores.
It requires minimal tools and hardware. There are plenty of videos available online to walk you through a DIY mini-split installation.
Yes, a mini-split is the best way to heat or cool your garage. It provides separate controls, affordable installation, and runs quietly and efficiently.
Keep your garage comfortable and temperature-controlled by installing a mini-split system sized to match your garage size.
