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      Best mini-split for a workshop or shop

      Usually a 30,000 BTU mini-split for a shop of about 800 sq ft in a mixed climate. Workshops and pole barns are usually large, tall and lightly insulated. Heating is often the harder job.

      What size for a workshop?

      Small shop ~400 sq ft

      Shop ~800 sq ft

      Large shop ~1,200 sq ft

      Assumes poor insulation and a 12 ft ceiling, typical for a workshop.

      Best 30,000 BTU mini-splits for a workshop

      Most efficient overall

      Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3

      30,000 BTU mini-split · 38MG-series · cold-climate certified

      SEER2
      26.0
      HSPF2
      9.8
      Heat at 5°F
      25,200

      Highest seasonal cooling efficiency (SEER2), then heating (HSPF2).

      Full specs and running cost

      What to look for

      Size it for your workshop

      Pre-filled for a shop. Adjust the area and pick your city.

      Your space
      Your climate
      Mini-split size
      36,000 BTU
      Central / ducted size
      3 ton
      Cooling load
      34,200 BTU/h
      Heating load
      23,400 BTU/h

      See 36,000 BTU mini-splitsSee 3-ton central heat pumps

      Rule-of-thumb estimate: cooling follows the ENERGY STAR room sizing table, heating uses typical BTU per square foot for the climate (NOAA 1991-2020 heating degree days). For a whole-house system, ask your installer for a Manual J load calculation.

      More detail

      Top 5: best for cold wintersCold-climate certified, ranked by efficiency at 5°F
      #ModelSEER2EER2HSPF2COP at 5°F
      1Hitachi PAS-30BUFASDQ121.014.012.02.50
      2York YPAS30BUFASDQ121.014.012.02.50
      3Hitachi PAS-30BUFASDQ1-LAC21.814.010.02.50
      4York YPAS30BLFASDQ1also sold as 1 other model number21.014.012.02.40
      5TOSHIBA CARRIER RAV-BP301AT2P-UL24.514.111.82.40
      Top 5: most efficient overallHighest seasonal cooling efficiency (SEER2), then heating (HSPF2)
      #ModelSEER2EER2HSPF2COP at 5°F
      1Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA326.013.09.81.80
      2MDV M4OG-30HFN1-M26.013.09.81.90
      3Midea MMCMHAQ30DA326.013.09.81.80
      4Day & Night D5CMRAH30EAK25.013.010.02.00
      5MDV M5OD30-30HFN10-M1D25.013.010.02.00
      Top 5: best for hot summersRanked by EER2, the efficiency at 95°F
      #ModelSEER2EER2HSPF2COP at 5°F
      1Goodman MST273G32MHAAalso sold as 2 other model numbers24.014.510.52.20
      2Lennox MMLD030S6S-1P22.814.410.71.80
      3Samsung AC030DXSCCG22.814.410.71.80
      4TOSHIBA CARRIER RAV-BP301AT2P-UL24.514.111.82.40
      5Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-HA30NKA20.214.18.92.10
      Running cost of a typical 30,000 BTU unit$777-$1,575/yr

      If used like living space all year; part-time use costs proportionally less.

      Questions3
      What size mini-split do I need for a workshop?
      For a shop of about 800 sq ft, around 30,000 BTU in a mixed climate like Atlanta. Small shop: 15,000 BTU; Shop: 30,000 BTU; Large shop: 48,000 BTU. The table above shows how this changes in hot and very cold climates.
      How much does it cost to run a mini-split in a workshop?
      A typical 30,000 BTU unit costs about $840 a year in Phoenix, $777 a year in Atlanta, $1,575 a year in Minneapolis if used like a living space all year. Part-time use costs proportionally less.
      What is the best mini-split for a workshop?
      For a 30,000 BTU unit, the Hitachi PAS-30BUFASDQ1 ranks first on cold winters. The most efficient overall is the Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3. All rankings use ENERGY STAR certified ratings.

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