Cost efficient constant heating/cooling in finished shed?

Submitted by jrico59 t3_10mpxqs in DIY

I have a 12x18 shed that I've recently finished to use as a home office (insulation, drywall and paint, sheet vinyl floor) and plan to leave a laptop, monitor, and TV out there. I live in an area of the US with four seasons (highs in the 90s in the summer, nighttime lows in the 20s-30s during the winter).

Do I need to heat/cool the shed 24/7 to protect the electronics that will be in there?

If so, what would be the most cost-efficient way to do this. I've thought about just having a space heater and window-venting AC but not sure I can leave these on 24/7. Is mini-split my best/only option? Or would it be enough if I could find one of those freestanding heat/AC units if it operates on a thermostat and will cut off automatically in the winter when room temperature reaches the target temp?

EDIT
FWIW I know that mini splits are overkill power-wise for my needs. Articles like these are what made me concerned about running something overnight during the winter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-not-burn-your-house-down-with-a-space-heater/

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jimjamjahaa t1_j64gwv9 wrote

electronics don't mind the cold. they don't love heat but they have over-temp protection for the heat. what they really don't like is wet and damp so that would be my number one concern.

free standing AC is a bit of a debatable issue... a 2-duct system that both draws air in from and exhausts air out to the outside is alright

1 duct for exhaust only will cause a negative pressure in the room drawing air in from outside which is... not efficient.. but technically it'll cool the room.

0 ducts is just nonsense imo because the thing has a hot side and a cold side and the hot side beats the cold side :D

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jrico59 OP t1_j64heds wrote

Thanks, yeah the ones I was looking at have 1 duct to the window

Examples:

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-BPP08HWTB-Portable-Conditioner/dp/B08TH93TGG

https://www.amazon.com/Ukoke-USPC01W-Portable-Conditioner-Dehumidifier/dp/B07R7ZGQ8P

I'm mostly worried about it getting too hot at night and burning down lol

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jimjamjahaa t1_j64n842 wrote

i think you'll be safe regarding burning down regardless.... as long as you haven't imported any sketchy electronics from china lol :D

worst case scenario for good quality electronics is they shut down for a while.

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zippyhippyWA t1_j64ipzy wrote

We use a thermostatically controlled window heat pump. They both heat and cool. They are relatively cheap for small spaces and can be set and forgot.

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McEverlong t1_j64n7lf wrote

Could you provide a link to something like that? I am from germany and looking for something like that for ages, but everything I can find is way more expensive than a Regular split AC.

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zippyhippyWA t1_j64xq2a wrote

This is my actual unit I believe. I’m in the USA so your mileage may vary. 😁

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Koldfront-12-000-BTU-Window-Air-Conditioner-with-Heat-and-Remote-in-White-WAC12001W/309204557

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McEverlong t1_j64z55r wrote

Great, thanks! I'm getting access denied, but the Company alone is a great help!

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ObiDan71 t1_j65ixvs wrote

I'll send you a screenshot. It's $650 US

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Interestingegg69 t1_j64jp7q wrote

They have window units that have cooling and heat options. Not sure about efficiency compared to mini-split. Minisplit probably technically more efficient, but will cost more short term.

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sailorlazarus t1_j654gca wrote

32c is nothing for your electronics. They will regularly run upwards of 50c (120f) without problems. The cold won't bother them at all. The main thing you need to worry about is humidity. They make desiccant bins for exactly this reason though.

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CanuckSalaryman t1_j64kac3 wrote

I have something similar. I open the windows in the summer. Winter I only turn on the heat when I am planning on working out there. I'm in Ontario, so winter can get cold and summers are 90's and humid. Things have been working fine for 2 years.

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Mysterious-Ad7019 t1_j64mhba wrote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qh14pX3IxA

I'd drop in a wall/ window ac unit that has a heating feature or a mini split. Hook all that up to a few solar panels and batteries and you'll be able to keep that shed temperature/humidity regulated 24/7/365.

...

The big swings in temp combined with humidity in an uncontrolled shed will simply lead to electronic corrosion and failure earlier than later.

But if you don't mind replacing those items sooner than later, whatever.

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SatanLifeProTips t1_j64nimq wrote

If you get a free standing heat pump, get a 2 hose model. 1 hose models are for stupid folks who don’t understand that they are vacuuming out the very air they are trying to heat or cool.

Media makes one with a fake giant single hose that is actually split into 2 hoses.

But a warning. As good as the modern inverter based (!) portables are I don’t think they deal with condenser icing very well. The smallest mini split heat pump you can buy is by far the best solution. Aging Wheels on youtube went through the install of a mini-split. He’s pretty inept but overly confident and still figured it out just fine. It will outlive the portable unit, is quieter and is far more energy efficient.

Whatever you buy, make sure it is an inverter model. I can’t stress how big of a deal that feature is. It’s half the power consumption by the time the dust settles.

I am heating a 3400 sq fr shop to 70F with a pair of 24k BTU mini splits and they are brilliant. I’m pretty sure one can do the job at the freezing mark. I am monitoring the power consumption and they average 800W continuous draw each. It’s nothing. The inverter allows the compressors to turn slow. The ‘low’ mode is super efficient because you have a massive amount of radiator area per cooling or heating. All the fans throttle down and it just pours the heat out.

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ThreeBlurryDecades t1_j64rk3p wrote

My well insulated slightly smaller (10x12 10ft ceiling) uses one 1000 watt electric heater to keep it toasty warm. In the summer I have one cheap 5000 wall shaker built in. This is in Ontario. Why go crazy, my whole climate control system for a really nice little building cost under 250$. Other than electric cost, why cant you leave it on 24/7?

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jrico59 OP t1_j64ryvl wrote

Thanks, I just thought there was an overheating danger in leaving the smaller space heaters on over night

(https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-not-burn-your-house-down-with-a-space-heater/)

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ThreeBlurryDecades t1_j64snla wrote

There could be with a junky heater near flamables. I use a decent metal frame "milk house heater" and keep it away from flamables. They are intended to heat living space. Most fires with electric heaters are caused by poor extension cords and proximity to flamables. Be safe and use a safe heater and it will be fine. Good quality, no extension cord, its own separate electric circuit.

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atticus2132000 t1_j66p1fi wrote

Have you looked at PTAC through-wall units? These are what motel rooms use and you can get smaller sizes to fit your btu requirements. They're cheaper than mini-spilts and would be good for this application to deliver heating and cooling.

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jrico59 OP t1_j66tykh wrote

I hadn't thought of looking for that kind. Reviewing some of those options now. Thanks!

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lovallo t1_j66c2rg wrote

Most outdoors electronics/equipment enclosures I have seen just use a thermostatically controlled exhaust fan to keep temps down.

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ModularLabrador t1_j69t11z wrote

If you’re in Germany I’d not bother about AC. Just get a decent dehumidifier and a small space or even an oil filled heater for when you’re in there on very cold days

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