r/BuyItForLife • u/Aware_Football_8882 • 15h ago
[Request] A bit of a challenge recommendation! Aircon for Australian 25sqft uninsulated “shed” dwelling?
*25sqm not ft!!
We know this is a bit to read, but would so appreciate any advice!!
Additional info about the space at end!
What kind of aircon unit would be best and most realistic for this space? I did some research and it’s most likely going to be 3.5kw-5kw minimum with a 5kw unit being HIGHLY suggested. Taking into account the no insulation, I’d agree with the latter, lol. It doesn’t need to keep the place totally frosty cool, fine with it still being warm, just enough to not be completely unliveable. But obviously the cooler the better within realistic possibility. We do have elderly dogs who like to stay there.
Our best option would be a split system but that takes money and time and professional installation (plus info on interior works that we do not have, and would have to figure out), so for the meantime (or preferably forever if it really works!!) would something else suffice? Portable unit, window unit, evaporative unit? Would you recommend any of these? And do you have any details on what one of these should include for this space or a specific unit you’d suggest?
Shed information:
We have a shed at the back of our property that’s used as a dwelling. It was built decades ago as a hobby space, a half home job from what we know, and doesn’t have any insulation. It does have a double wall situation, the exterior wall (some kind of corrugated material, not very thick at all) and then some kind of very thin I think “dry wall”? for the interior, same thing for the roof and ceiling. The power down here isn’t 100% amazing (TV flickers when the main light is turned on) and the last portable aircon began to switch off with all the work it was failing to do in the Australian heat, although didn’t seem to have problems running outside of overheating. We also do not know the locations of the electrical work within the walls/ceiling. However we do have a second shed right across from this one used for storage with its own power that is not spread nearly as thin across multiple outlets and lights plus appliances etc as in the dwelling, and isn’t used at all. We could run an extension from there if needed.
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u/42SpanishInquisition 13h ago
I'd suggest a split system of some kind if you can. Window units will be power limited, but much more efficient than portable ACs. Evaporative cooling will only be useful if you live central dingo piss creek (out in the scrubs).
I cannot provide a power recommendation without knowing what climate area you live in. Some parts of Australia it only reaches at most 35 degrees once every 5 years, and is a dry heat. Other places 35 degrees is the average. Additionally, whether you have a roof cavity, and what material it is made of can have an impact, more noticable without insulation.
Some suggestions: Paint your roof a light colour (i.e. white) to increase the amount of solar radiation being reflected.
If it is possible to insulate your roof, you can get a significantly smaller AC.
But for brands, Fujitsu (now 'General'), Daikin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries or Mitsubishi Electric are solid. I cannot recommend any else. Note, the two Mitsubishi's are independant companies. Luckily they both make quality products. There is much debate about which one is better, there is not much consensus afaik.
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u/Aware_Football_8882 4h ago
Thank you for the brand recommendations! I also didn’t think evaporative would do any good since we’re coastal WA. Insulation isn’t really an option, especially for the roof, this thing is built super weirdly. But we already had plans to be painting the whole thing white for that exact reason you stated! Plus resealing gaps and weather stripping outside.
Thanks again!
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u/im_avoiding_work 13h ago
I don't have a specific product rec, especially not knowing the Australian market. But have you considered looking into solar power for the shed? Even a simply system that only offsets power use by day?
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u/42SpanishInquisition 13h ago
can set timers to crank it during the day when you have free / cheaper electricity, to just below a comfortable temperature - you are then using your air like a battery to store the difference in (heat) energy.
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u/grumpher05 5h ago
Often times sheds don't have the load rating to install the weight of a solar system, it is also harder to install further from the main switchboard
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u/Aware_Football_8882 3h ago
Unfortunately the shed does not have the ability to hold a solar panel. This thing is a structural mystery and miracle. It’s also rather far from the main house and we’re not sure about the electrical work in here. We do have solar at the main house though. Not something we’d be thinking about just yet anyhow, just in need of something to keep us alive through this summer ha!
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u/grumpher05 5h ago
I've seen a portable unit in a shed type living space, trust me it does jack fucking shit. A 2.5kw might be enough for the cooling level you are after, 2.5 are often the most efficient sizes in terms of COP, and sometimes price. But I think a 5kw would get it done without any concerns or regrets for the future
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u/Aware_Football_8882 4h ago
So a 5kw portable is our best bet? It definitely has a lot to try to keep up with so the higher kw the better id imagine.
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u/sbpqd 5h ago
I imagine spending some of your budget on insulating, sealing, and shading the shed would go a long way to making a less powerful/expensive aircon work well enough. Such improvements should be a lot more durable than an aircon too!
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u/Aware_Football_8882 3h ago
Sealing and other improvements are in progress already! Definitely doing every little thing we can think of to help, sealing gaps inside, weather stripping outside, painting the exterior and roof white, etc. Unfortunately we’re not really able to insulate with the structure of the roof and way the rest of this thing is built, but we’re doing other little things to give an aircon the best chance!
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u/nugstar 13h ago
The type of ac unit required probably deends on what climatic zones you're in and if there's shading or not. Also might be useful to know the height of the ceiling.
Also never heard anyone use sqft in Australia...