Do Mini Splits Work Below 0°F

In this video I explore whether or not my mini split heating/cooling system will work when the temperature dips below the listed operating temperature of the condenser. I found that, although it is technically working, it is not performing like you would want. Since mine is in my garage, it is not critical that it heats the space, but if this was in my house, it would be a cold night! Be careful if you are planning to only use mini split heat in cold climates. I hope this was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@RSWarriorLuv2LafMcc]

After watching, and hearing that you're running a non-cold rated minisplit, in a vaulted ceiling garage, with no fans, 2 big garage doors, not aggressively insulated walls, and a non thermally isolated concrete slab, with the exterior temp being consistently 5-10 deg below 0, yet the mini split is giving you a 50-60+ degree heat delta...I would have expected you to be a bit more enthusiastic about it working as PHENOMENALLY as it is! Also, how much did it cost to provide that heat delta vs how much propane would you have used? Finally, stick a remote thermometer at the top of your angled roof; I bet you will find its about 15-20 warmer, way up at the rafters where the heat is pooling. Install some ceiling fans to get that hot air circulated, improve the insulation on the gap around the 2 garage doors, windows and the door itself. Consider moving the air handler to the middle of the shop to better distribute the heat evenly to to shop. Hard to do anything with the concrete slab just radiating cold and soaking up all the heat...thats the biggest challenge in my opinion. As an additional thought experiment, for the cost of the heat pump install, would breaking up the 2 car garage concrete floor (not the outer footings), and re pouring it with radiant heat pex have been a more effective use of resources? Maybe it still is a reasonable option if you consider running cost for an ALWAYS ON heat pump. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@Jacob-Shields]

Excellent comment! These are the types of thought experiments I like to entertain. You are very right in that the heat pump was doing an excellent job in the cold weather. Also about the fan idea, that is on the to do list for sure. Where I live it is pretty rare that it gets this cold witch is why I wanted to see what the mini split could do in pretty much the worst case scenario. I got the utility bill for that month with about 5 days of below 0 temps and it cost about $100 to heat the garage to about 58 the whole month. I am very impressed with this because my 100lb propane tank cost about that much to fill (now more like $250), and it goes about 10-12h of continuous run on my 60kbtu heater. Also burning propane in a bullet style heater burns up the oxygen supply slowly. All in all, with our average winter temps being in the 30s, I think this will work well and not cost too much in the winter. I’ll have to make another video of its performance in the summer though with temps in the high 90s occasionally. Thanks for the comment again!

[@davidb5952]

It's doing great in that uninsulated space.

[@Jacob-Shields]

The garage is now fully insulated and it’s working even better! Very happy with it.

[@steveviglas7334]

Great video, there’s not a lot out there for really cold winter weather input, thank you!! Also what are you running for your back up propane heater? Thanks!

[@Jacob-Shields]

I had a 100k btu tube style burner and 100lb bottle, but I’ve since gotten rid of it because I’ve never actually needed it!

[@chrisaudette7841]

Hi Jacob, nice video, Senville make 2 models the Leto series which is only good to for 5F, the other series is the Aura series which is good for -22 F. Make all the difference in the world for colder climates. Thanks for the video.

[@matthewwiemken7293]

Should have a high heat version of this heat pump for better efficiency, but does cost a bit more than leto unit:)

[@diablorojo914]

Let’s us know the increase in the electric bill 😮

[@Ojames600]

I have a portable HVAC with a heat pump and the cut off Temp for the heater pump is 45 Degrees :( , today outside temp is 17 degree in GA

[@Jacob-Shields]

Oh man! Definitely a limitation of heat pumps. Otherwise they are great technology!

[@bennypit4411]

I know this is an older video but by chance do you have an idea how many KWH it's eating thru at those temps?

[@Jacob-Shields]

I don’t have the rate for when I filmed the video but we had a very cold December last month and I was averaging 6.37kWh/day which is $1.24/day where I’m at! That is to maintain 45deg so nothing freezes, I was not out working much this last December so I imagine it could be about double to get up to 65 every day during week days if I was out working. Hope that helps! Definitely one of the best additions to my garage I’ve ever made.