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Mini Splits for Garages

A ductless mini split is one of the easiest ways to heat and cool a garage, workshop or home gym. A wall-mount indoor unit and an outdoor condenser give you year-round comfort without tying into your home's ductwork, and each system heats as well as cools.

What size mini split for a garage?

Garage Typical size Insulated Not insulated
1-car about 250–300 sq ft 9,000–12,000 BTU 12,000–18,000 BTU
2-car about 400–600 sq ft 12,000–18,000 BTU 18,000–24,000 BTU
3-car about 600–900 sq ft 24,000 BTU 30,000–36,000 BTU

Garages lose a lot of heat through the garage door and uninsulated walls, so size up if yours isn't insulated, has high ceilings or gets direct sun. Insulating the garage door is often the cheapest upgrade you can make. A licensed HVAC technician can do a load calculation to confirm the size.

115V or 230V for a garage?

Smaller 9,000 and 12,000 BTU systems come in 115V versions that suit a small, insulated garage with a standard circuit. See our 110V mini splits. Most 2- and 3-car garages need an 18,000 BTU or larger system on a dedicated 208/230V circuit.

Frequently asked questions

Will a mini split heat a garage in winter?

Yes. These are heat pumps, so they heat and cool. In cold regions, choose a system rated for low temperatures from our cold climate mini splits, which heat at -13°F or colder.

Where should the indoor unit go?

Mount it high on a wall where the air can move across the whole space, away from the garage door, and where the line set can run a short distance to the outdoor condenser. You'll need a line set long enough to reach the condenser, plus a path for the condensate drain.

Is a mini split OK in a dusty workshop?

Yes, but clean the indoor unit's filters more often if you do woodworking or other dusty work, so the system keeps running efficiently.

Can I install it myself?

Mini split installation involves refrigerant connections and high-voltage wiring, so plan on a licensed HVAC technician, and check whether your area needs a permit.

Shop by brand with ACiQ mini splits and Senville heating and cooling, or see all single-zone wall-mount mini splits. Heating a shed or backyard room instead? See mini splits for sheds and backyard rooms.