Summer is coming and it's going to be 102° today. 3200 sq ft shop has no insulation. This shop is what it is, built in the 1950's. I don't think its worth it to rebuild it. That being said would two commercial evaporative coolers or huge ceiling fans knock enough heat out to make it semi comfortable? I've been in Oregon for the last two summers but I'm back for good now. I now have two smaller evaporative coolers and 6-7 floor type fans going.
Can large fans out cool the uninsulated shop?
- Thread starter 930dreamer
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There are people that like it hot and those that don't. I sure as **** wouldn't be getting much work done in those temps, but maybe you will.
That said, that building has been in that climate for a long time, so it clearly has worked for some people
That said, that building has been in that climate for a long time, so it clearly has worked for some people
OP
niget2002
Well-known member
You'll never cool the inside of the shop below the temps of outside the shop with just fans, but moving air can make it 'feel' cooler.
Ideally, you'd have big doors on each end of the shop you can open. Then 'cooler' air would be pushed in on one end and push hot air out the other.
I don't have any experience with swamp coolers, so not sure how well they'd work. I've been at outdoor events where they've used them to cool the sitting area. They seem to work well in that setting.
Ideally, you'd have big doors on each end of the shop you can open. Then 'cooler' air would be pushed in on one end and push hot air out the other.
I don't have any experience with swamp coolers, so not sure how well they'd work. I've been at outdoor events where they've used them to cool the sitting area. They seem to work well in that setting.
OP
Normally below 50%.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I agree. I'd never have a shop that gets that hot inside it
If insulating and cooling the whole thing isn't feasible, I'd be looking at doing at least a portion of it.
That's not as bad as I expected.
Make sure you are pulling in air from the shady side if that is even possible.
Have you tried keeping the doors closed and circulating that fixed volume of air?
Is an evap cooler in your immediate work zone possible/practical?
What is the siding and roofing material?
OP
Vintage steel roof and siding. Largest evaporative cooler is on the north wall, second one is on a cart on the west side(open doorway). An opening and proximity to water make this the most practical placement. If I cut out the smaller cooler and close the door it's just hot. The north wall is the best area but a lot of items would need to be moved for a second cooler install. I'd need a bucket lift to open this vent.
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PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Big-*** stadium sideline evaporative cooler....
OP
Really need an open doorway for even this setup.Big-*** stadium sideline evaporative cooler....
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nh_yota
Well-known member
Open the doors and turn on the fans to circulate the hot air out of the building, and use the swamp cooler for localized cooling (pointed at you to make you feel cooler).
nh_yota
Well-known member
Keep in mind that swamp coolers are only effective with dry air so they don't work well in enclosed spaces unless they pull air from outside.
txvwnut
Well-known member
If Amarillo's humidity is like the DFW's area right now those swamp coolers aren't gonna do anything. The best thing for any shop is insulation. I've had a couple of uninsulated metal buildings and when they get hot, they're hot and the fan only moves the hot air around.
OP
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow, that's dry
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
I think the biggest cheapest improvement would be barn doors at both ends. You’d be amazed how much a little air flow will cool things down.
fitter30
Well-known member
Water mister same as a swamp cooler but with spray nozzles instead of pads.
OP
I already have two 16'x16' doors on the east wall. No practical way to retrofit to the north/south ends. A fox or smaller won't have any problem entering this shop, plenty of ventilation.
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I wonder how much it would help to just insulate the south side. Even used foam board mounted to the girts
nh_yota
Well-known member
What color is the roof?
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
I was suggesting doors opposite each other, meaning if you have an opening on the east wall, then you would want one on the west wall. Cross ventilation I guess?
OP
Steel Grey. Yes, replacing the roof panels and insulating the underneath side would make a huge difference. But the almost 70 year old 2x6's would need to be replaced also. No free lunch here.
I moved the smaller cooler from the doorway and closed the door. About thirty minutes later.
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Whats wrong with the 2x6's?
OP
I'd bet after all the nails were removed they'd be in sad shape.
Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
I’ve seen a few shops here - in much milder climate - utilizing the Portacool during summer. If there was a way to try them pre purchase, I‘d definitely give them a shot.
Kind regards,
Olli
Kind regards,
Olli
Shiftless
Well-known member
Wow 101 degrees inside your shop.
You‘re on the way to having a 3200 sq. ft. Sauna.
You‘re on the way to having a 3200 sq. ft. Sauna.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I bet they might be better than the junk on the shelf today. As long as they aren't rotted or have termite damage
OP
Maybe, I see 22 nails per 10 foot board @ 160 boards. I'd have arms like Popeyes after all that.
Cooler with the door open, but still hot.
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American Locomotive
Well-known member
The problem is going to be the radiant heat. I bet the steel roof panels are probably >140°F. Your entire roof surface is essentially a radiant heater, warming up the inside. I bet putting a layer of this on the bottom side of the battens would make a big difference. They won't actually make the space that much cooler, but will make it feel less oppressive.
MichaelP
Well-known member
Swamp coolers are great. They increase sales of Evapo-Rust dramatically. The tools must feel like they, finally, moved from Tx to FL.
rjacobs
Well-known member
Yup thats the problem with swamp coolers... everything gets wet. Not good long term in a workshop.
I just spray foamed mine and got a mini split... Thank you Lord Jesus... I leave it at 80 and crank it down when I go in, but been testing slightly warmer... 85 wasnt good. Humidity seemed high when I went in. Set at 81 right now. Ill find a happy maximum for when im not there.
I just spray foamed mine and got a mini split... Thank you Lord Jesus... I leave it at 80 and crank it down when I go in, but been testing slightly warmer... 85 wasnt good. Humidity seemed high when I went in. Set at 81 right now. Ill find a happy maximum for when im not there.
OP
No issues with condensation from the swamp coolers.