Mini-Splits vs. Garage Heaters: What’s Ideal for My Woodshop?

Comfortable isn’t usually a word used to describe a garage. But many homeowners maximize this space as a workshop for home improvement projects or pastimes such as woodworking. Considering changing your garage into a home woodshop? By installing heating and cooling, you’ll have the option use the garage throughout the year. 

Standard systems, including a furnace, heat pump or air conditioner, are usually cost-prohibitive because of the ductwork that’s necessary. Not to mention, garages are sometimes detached. 

The two most frequently installed solutions are garage heaters or mini-split systems, because they don’t need ductwork. But which kind should you go with? It’s important to know the benefits of each to find the most energy-efficient solution for your situation. Sawdust needs extra consideration as these particles can bog down filters and reduce your system’s efficiency. 

We break down the differences to help you choose the ideal option for your shop. 

Mini-Splits: Top Marks for Heating and Cooling 

Ductless mini-splits are like a heat pump, as they shift heat in place of making it. This makes them very energy efficient. They’re installed on your wall and link to an outside unit with a small hole in the wall. 

A mini-split air conditioner is prized for its energy efficiency and quiet operation. This makes it great for craftsmen searching for a tranquil, comfortable location to work. Since they offer both heating and cooling, mini-splits can be operated no matter the season. 

Since wood contracts with shifts in temperature, total control over heating and cooling is very beneficial. Most carpenters and woodworkers advise completing work in temperatures similar to where the final item will live. 

Changing your filter often is a critical piece of upkeep. Sanding kicks up a lot of sawdust. If you don’t keep up with your mini-split’s filter, you may decrease your system’s efficiency and life span. 

A mini-split also needs frequent tune-ups from a experienced HVAC technician, like one from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts. Keeping its internal components clean and lubricated will help decrease the probability of malfunctions and might even help it last for an extended period of time. 

Garage Heaters: Best for Northern Climates 

Garage heaters work a bit differently. They create heated air, so it’s better to compare one to a miniature furnace. They’re fixed on the ceiling, often in a corner. If you need your garage for additional storage, know that these heaters will require a part the overhead space. 

The main difference between garage heaters and mini-split systems is the type of fuel they need, because mini-splits are electric. Propane or natural gas garage heaters are both typical kinds, but there are electric garage heaters also if you don’t want to worry about fuel sources. 

Garage heaters come with a plus that gives them a leg up on a mini-split system. They don’t need a filter and some models have sealed combustion chambers, which keeps sawdust from infiltrating those internal components. 

Key Variations Between Mini-Splits and Garage Heaters 

In the end there are many things to think over, like the weather in Windsor. These include: 

• Whether you want both heating and cooling, or only heating. 
• Your budget. 
• How much ceiling room you have in your shop. 
• How much time and money you want to devote to tune-ups. 

Ductless mini-split systems cost more to begin with than garage heaters. If you don’t plan on using your shop often, this may not be the most budget-friendly option. But woodshops in areas with large adjustments in temps may benefit from better control. 

Garage heaters are a simpler, more affordable option. Different models consume differing fuel sources to make heat only, making them ill-suited for hotter climates. Gas or propane garage heaters are ideal if fuel costs are smaller. They’re not as energy efficient, so regular use may create more expensive utility expenses. But the great heat generation is preferable in cooler climates. 

For dependable advice and installation, trust the HVAC Experts at Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts. We’ll help you make the ideal choice. And with quality repair and maintenance services, your shop will be a useful area for many years to come. Give us a call at 226-773-3357 to book a free home comfort assessment or appointment right away.