First (ground) level:

Second Level:

West Section:

West Elev:

North Elev:

I have a 2+ car garage with studio/full bath upstairs. We used a minisplit with two ceiling cartridges down and one up.

Thanks. That's a great looking garage! I like the glass doors and all the natural light they let in.

So you've a single mini-split but 3 inside units? Are you able to control heat/cool with each individually?

My first thought is to go with a radiant heat system to reduce dust. As far as cooling, does it get hot in Minnesota?? : )

Nah, Minnesota never gets above freezing dontcha know :-)

Nothing like Alabama but it can get warm, humid and sticky. We usually have a few days over 100°f each year, maybe 15-20 over 90, and a bunch in the 80's. If it was as dry as AZ it'd not be a problem.

As a side note, I would allow a 36" wide space at the watercloset instead of 30". That will allow the extra space required for the down bathing suites, and other things. Uff da!

We did hydrionic radiant in ours. But it was dedigned have a significant amount of time spent in it, and comfort was required for that. 2x6 construction and over doing the insulation makes it comfortable, no matter the weather. It deadens sound as well.

:-)

We're largely Scandihoovians so no down bathing suits needed. Enjoy a nice sauna and then run jump in the lake through a hole in the ice. I was going to post a pic but I couldn't find one that would meet U.S. victorian sensibilities.

It's kind of funny. In winter when it's 10°f and the lake has 20" of ice we'll walk out of the sauna and jump in the snow or lake totally nude but come spring we'll dip our toe in the water and yelp that it's too cold and we'll wait until the air and water are 80°f.

My mother grew up in Wahkon, MN; I do not recall her ever accusing the water of being cold.

Well...a single studio space to be used for both woodworking and photography? Could there be two more incompatible uses in a single space? I suppose there could be, but these don't sound like two activities which complement one another in the same space given the inevitable amount of dust and debris...not to mention left overs.

Minnesota Nice is stronger up in Wahkon so that sounds about right :-)

Yep, I could have found more compatible things for the space for sure. I'd say I enjoy a challenge... but I really don't. I'm aware of one other person doing something similar and it seems to be working OK for him. Hopefully it'll work out.

I will answer this question:

What kind of HVAC system will work best?

If you are thinking that a mini split air conditioner sounds like the perfect fit for you, you are right.

Find the mini split that is right for you.

There’s no doubt that mini split air conditioner and heating units are growing in popularity, as they offer a quieter, more efficient system that does not require the use of ducts to deliver air to different rooms. Depending on your needs, you may find that a single zone multi split is most appealing, or you might opt for a multi zone setup for your entire home.

Mini-split or split air conditioning systems, otherwise known as ductless HVAC systems, offer numerous installation options in residential and commercial buildings. Because of their size and capabilities, they are ideal for:

Garages

Individualized rooms

Efficiency apartments

Music studios

Older homes and cottages

In other words, don't use a moving air HVAC when you are actually using the building, or it will just get clogged up.

Which is is why we went with radiant. Not only is there no ductwork, or moving air at all, but the thermal mass of the slab is incredibly comfortable to be on with a creeper, etc.

Thanks all. If I never had to think about cooling then I think radiant would be the ticket. There will be too many times during the summer that I'll need it cooled as well as need the dehumidification.

Turning the system off when dust is present wouldn't likely be an option.

I think mini-split is sounding like the best option at this point.

Getting back to this. Are there mini-split systems that have gas heat in the cartridges or are they all electric heat? I'm quite concerned about the costs of electric heat in MN winters.

I'm not sure that in-floor radiant is an option. This is on the second level of a wood frame structure and will have wood floors (seconds of white oak salvaged from other jobs). I assume we could pour a thinset or similar but underneath for the radiant but that could get expensive and I'm not sure if my knees would like the more solid surface.

I know that this is a very old thread, but I was drawn to the fact that you're in St. Paul! I'm also in St. Paul, and am having all the same questions about a similar project. Did you you ever get this done?? What did you decide on HVAC? I also noticed that you asked the gas heat question...I too am skeptical of the cost of electric heat!

Has anyone considered an air filter that has nothing to do with heating or cooling, but will simply filter the air?

@Tim Johnson, we did in-floor radiant for heat. Cooling will most often be done with a 6,000 CFM exhaust fan combined with open windows on the opposite side of the building that should result in a comfortable breeze. When temp or humidity is too high or shooting requires still air we'll have a mini-split system consisting of a cassette in the ceiling of the office/storage and 2 heads in the studio (one in each gable).

@Lindsey_CA, Systems like that tend to make problems worse, not better. For dust control and health you want clean air supplied (typically return air from DC) from one side of a room and ideally near the ceiling with dust collection at each tool. The idea is to have clean air at your face and dust always pulled away from your face.

Great to know! Thanks!!