Air conditioner and heater in window unit experience

[mountaintop]

I have a 22x22 workshop that is stand alone with 12 foot ceilings. It has a concrete pad with some insulation in the walls and roof. My existing AC windows unit just died and I have been looking at the dual AC/HEATER units as a replacement now. In the past I have used a propane canon type heater to heat it in the winter. Amazon has a Frigidaire FAM18ER2A unit which is a little large in the cooling BTU rating for my shop. I also have been using a stand alone dehumidifier to keep the humidity down. The old unit was a 12000 btu and it did a fair job most days. The new one runs on 220 which is not a problem and I hoped it would be a little cheaper than the older 110/15 amp unit. Does anyone have any experence with these dual units.

Product Features

• 18,500-BTU air conditioner with 16,000-BTU heat and electronic controls * For rooms up to 1170 square feet; 10.7 EER; full-function remote * Variable-speed fan; multiple air direction; 24-hour on/off timer * Energy-saver and sleep modes; quick-mount window kit; tilt-out filter * Measures 25-3/8 by 23-5/8 by 17-3/4 inches; 1-year full warranty

Shipping is free so that's not a big problem.

[Leon]

Something to consider. The unit appears to be more than adequate and that might be a problem It is normally recommended to not buy too big of a unit as they will cool every thing down quickly and then shut down. This can cause excessive condensation to accumulate because the unit does not run long enough to actually dehumidify the room also.

[Greg O]

Is this a heat pump, or straight electric heat? If it is straight electric it will consume about 4700 watts per hour running on continuous heat. Depending on your electric rates , say $0.10 KWH it will run you about $0.47 per hour to run for heating. Also how many BTU do you need to heat your shop? My bet the propane heater you were using has a much larger BTU output.I know where I live the heat from that unit would never even take the chill out of the air in the colder days of the year! Greg

[mountaintop]

We live in western N.C. where it's not bad but does run about 20-40 in winter. My shop only hit below 32 three times this year compared to 10 last year. I keep all my glue and water based products in a light box which comes on around 35 degree. I really like the propane heater as it raises the temp about 1 degree a minute in the winter and have wondered how this dual unit would compare. If it not going to get the job done then a smaller AC maybe better. THis is the lowest cooling BTU I could find and do believe it is to large I'm afraid. The unit is a straight heater with strips

[Charley]

"Leon" wrote in message news:_bdLj.2406$ [e-mail]...

Sorry Leon, but I am responding late to "mountaintop" , the original poster.

My shop is almost as large as yours (16 X 26 with 9' ceiling) and is heated/cooled with a window unit style 24,000 BTU heat pump that is mounted through the North wall up high. It is a detached wooden barn style structure that is insulated with 6" bats of fiberglass in the ceiling and 3 1/2 in the walls (first floor only). I live in central NC just North of Charlotte. The only time that my unit seems to struggle to hold comfortable temperature is when the outside air temp is above 95 degrees or below 20. Even then it manages to keep the shop above 60 and below 80. It would be nice if it could do a little better, but the unit was given to me (free) by a neighbor. If or when it dies I'll get one that's a bit bigger (maybe 36-40,000 BTU, but I've been very happy with it for the price. I modified the front cover a bit so it would take a pleated paper filter to keep the dust out of the coils, but other than changing that and a good air blast cleaning of it annually it has performed flawlessly for 14 years. I only run it when I am working in the shop or when the temperature will be going below freezing (to keep the water lines, glue, paint, and batteries happy). On a very cold, but above freezing, day it takes about 2 hours to bring the shop and the cast iron up to comfortable working temps, should I decide at the last minute that I want to work out there. You didn't say where you live and this make a big difference in the comparison so I hope this info helps in your decision. In areas significantly farther North of the Charlotte climate heat pumps aren't a very efficient source of heat. Contact me direct if you have any questions.

Charley