Home garage heating.

Is anyone using a stand alone 'window fitting' air conditioner in their workshop? They have both heat and cool modes (plus often a dehumidify mode) so would seem an advantage as we move to a continental climate and they provide COP > 1 too.

Many thanks everyone for the info and support.

They are not as good a proper split system but better than the ones that use a vent hoses.
Certainly better than a simple electric heater.
Not sure how prices compare to one of the "self install" split systems with pre-charged hoses and one-time mate fittings.

I've had air-air heat pumps in my last tow homes (over 20 years total) and higly reccomment them.
For any type of heat pump it's worth getting a "inverter" type. These basically use a VFD to controll the speed of the compressor instead of turning it on and off at full speed. This is more efficent, quieter and less wear on the compressor.

Robert G8RPI.

A few people have discovered that an EV parked in the garage heats it spectacularly.

In addition to all the good advice already given, don't forget to tackle any dampness ingress, and arrange for some ventilation, to get the damp air (including what you breathe out) out of the garage - it's condensation waiting to happen.

This, be somewhat wary of palette wood.

Palettes used for international shipping are pumped full of all kinds of chemical fun to kill any potential stowaway organisms. They are stamped/branded to show this I believe, but I'm not sure what the particular stamps are. Can be googled though.

I have wifi in my workshop and added a Meross wifi 4 way 'surge protector' (just a power strip) - I can turn the fan heater on from the house (from an app on phone), have a cup of tea, then go down to a toasty workshop. You can set schedules e.g. turn a dehumidifier on at 5pm for 30 mins.

Last week it was less than £30 but can only find new version now. A bit more, but great value I think: https://www.amazon.co.uk/meross-Compatible-HomeKit-Protector-SmartThings/dp/B08JG232D8

I also got some remote control plugs (not internet wifi - just a zapper) so when in the workshop I can turn on vac etc from my pocket (also good for plug-in lights)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SR3KL8D

I also have an alexa in the workshop...

I guess Apple, Google, and Amazon probably know  every tool I need and every mistake I make but I guess that just means better targeted adds when I get back indoors.

Edited By jaCK Hobson on 29/01/2023 14:25:56

Bit late to the conversation, but +1 on adding a small radiator plumbed into the house central heating if you can. I did this, and have had no rust issues since, and it makes it bearable to work in there down to external temps of around 8 degrees Celsius. Also has the added benefit of keeping the boiler condensate pipe frost-free where mine is situated

Rob

When I had to work away at a remote site for an extended period I rented a flat which happened to have a wood burner. Great thought I, there's loads of scrap wood on site from packaging, pallets etc. Spent an evening sawing and chopping only to find that all wood going on to site was treated with fire retardant and so simply would not burn, even if I got a merry blaze going with sticks out of the local wood, put some of this on and the fire went out.

I agree with Cowboy's comments.

PIping domestic C/H from the house to an attached garage/workshop can have dramatic benefits.

I have recently split my (large) garage into two by constructing a stud wall and door across the far third to provide a bindery, and the rest for renovating an old car - when I get around to it. Although the rads are turned down low, the bindery always feels comfortable, if not hot, and my store of papers and wooden equipment remain damp-free and undistorted. The garage part also has a radiator turned down low enough to deter dampness and none of my tools show signs of rust.

That said, I did put 8" insulation in the boarded ceiling and had the external cavity walls insulated which has made a big difference. Over all, I haven't noticed any significant increase in my gas fuel bills either, so I recommend centrally-heating your workshop if you can.

Spent the day moving stuff into storage for the church into the old Rectory stable block. This consisted in its day of a two horse stable and carriage section (double garage size) and a gardener's potting shed with a 'tack room' sandwiched in between. This room is only 6ft by 15 deep but has wood panelling, parquet floor and a Victorian domestic fireplace. So the Rector on returning from touring the parish on horseback could warm up and dry off. Whole complex would be a superb ME shed.

How times change so swiftly these days~ Until recently i'd have recommended one of these.

Given the price of electricity now....

Probably the best electric heaters ever made IMO.

Work really well,silent, &seem to last virtually forever.

The small ones are frugally efficient, the larger ones certainly belt out the heat.

I had the largest model earmarked for the workshop that i'll not be building anytime soon.

Those pictured date from the 1940's !!

There were 'updated' versions through the 50's, 60's & into the early 70's.

Expect some of you remember these?

You are limited in the size of "window shakers" to about 3kW. If your workshop is larger, a larger split system might work better. I have a 7.2kW split air-conditioner in my fully insulated 2-car-plus-size tin shed workshop. Used for air con only but would not want to be any smaller in our tropical summers. Much quieter than a window shaker too.