Still planning out some last minute details on my building. 40x60x16 with east facing doors. No windows planned at the moment. I'm trying to figure out the best way to at least have some air flow until I can afford to put in AC in a year or two. I was thinking a big *** fan to pull the hot air up to the roof, then an exhaust fan to pull it outside.
Airflow without HVAC
- Thread starter protegeV
- Start date
Kaizen
Well-known member
Ceiling closed and insulated from attic area?
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Insulation yes. No separate attic area. It's a full steel building so no rafters.
Climatecreator
Well-known member
Technically HVAC stands for heating, VENTILATING, air conditioning.
So you do indeed need hvac. That being said an inline fan like this https://amzn.to/2G9cUVv could be used for bringing in fresh air as well as for exhaust.
Or use two that match, one bringing air in while the other exhausts, it'll keep a balance instead of a negative or positive pressure in the space, unless that's what you want just use one of them.
Or go with an ERV if you want to get really fancy.
(Energy, Recovery, Ventilator)
CC
So you do indeed need hvac. That being said an inline fan like this https://amzn.to/2G9cUVv could be used for bringing in fresh air as well as for exhaust.
Or use two that match, one bringing air in while the other exhausts, it'll keep a balance instead of a negative or positive pressure in the space, unless that's what you want just use one of them.
Or go with an ERV if you want to get really fancy.
(Energy, Recovery, Ventilator)
CC
Kaizen
Well-known member
Metal building in Texas...out of my experience level. Even with insulation it’s got to be like an oven huh?
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75gmck25
Well-known member
When I lived in San Antonio, the key to keeping cool outside was shade combined with good air flow. After you get used to it, 95-100 degrees is not that bad if you are working in the shade and have a fan to keep air moving around you.
If you can keep the air flowing in the doors and out through some type of venting at a high point, it will help a lot. However, for good air flow you need a lot of vent area. A large exhaust fan (3'x3' or larger, with louvers) in the gable should help a lot when you have the doors open.
Bruce
If you can keep the air flowing in the doors and out through some type of venting at a high point, it will help a lot. However, for good air flow you need a lot of vent area. A large exhaust fan (3'x3' or larger, with louvers) in the gable should help a lot when you have the doors open.
Bruce
That's what I was thinking. I'm used to working in a shop for my job that is 100+ in the summer, but the air really stays moving.
Climatecreator
Well-known member
I see, so you don't just want some fresh air, you want movement.....
Look into this company
https://www.bigassfans.com/
As you can tell, they make big fans....they'll keep the air really moving but not noisy.
CC
Look into this company
https://www.bigassfans.com/
As you can tell, they make big fans....they'll keep the air really moving but not noisy.
CC
Oh I know about those bad boys. We have two HUGE one at work. I'm definitely gonna have a big fan. I'm more worried about how to get the hot air out. Whether ridge vents will cut it, or a louvered vent on the wall, or an actual exhaust fan.
Climatecreator
Well-known member
So many options. Here's what I think of the most.
My favorite because I can FEEL the difference is
Mechanical venting with a Gable end fan, as close to the ridge as reasonable, with matching grille on the opposite end, it put it on a thermostat so it only runs when it needs to even if you're not there. They even have solar versions as well if you're concerned about energy consumption.
Passive venting I don't care for as much for temperature control because it seems Soffit vents with Ridge vent is much slower and more suited for smaller spaces in my experience, however some local codes may require them even if you plan to go mechanical. Because they kind of have a different purpose, being that they directly ventilate the rafter bays to control moisture etc. They don't usually draw the air from the conditioned space.
CC
My favorite because I can FEEL the difference is
Mechanical venting with a Gable end fan, as close to the ridge as reasonable, with matching grille on the opposite end, it put it on a thermostat so it only runs when it needs to even if you're not there. They even have solar versions as well if you're concerned about energy consumption.
Passive venting I don't care for as much for temperature control because it seems Soffit vents with Ridge vent is much slower and more suited for smaller spaces in my experience, however some local codes may require them even if you plan to go mechanical. Because they kind of have a different purpose, being that they directly ventilate the rafter bays to control moisture etc. They don't usually draw the air from the conditioned space.
CC
bobbyjean
Well-known member
what he said
rattle_snake
Well-known member
I had similar situation in AZ. Installed exhaust fan up high and intake vents down low. Ran fan on a timer, typically 4-7 am when outdoor air is coolest. Made a big difference. Can also run fan whenever to evac smoke, car exhaust or whatever. Now use in conjunction with A/C.
I've had ceiling fans, but don't care for them in shop environment, prefer a movable floor/box style fan.
You can install an A/C for the cost of a big *** fan ($3000)
I've had ceiling fans, but don't care for them in shop environment, prefer a movable floor/box style fan.
You can install an A/C for the cost of a big *** fan ($3000)
6768rogues
Banned
My brother has a barn at his place in FL and it was really hot. He put a large exhaust fan in the gable end, so it pulls the air out from below the roof (open to the usable barn space). It pulls in outside air from a side that is shaded by a car port. That provides some relief as it keeps the barn the temperature of a shaded area, which is still too hot for my NY body.