Can someone estimate my system needs for me?

[bullnerd]

I just want someone to take a rough guess at what I need HVAC-wise.
Ive read so much about it my head hurts. I keep seeing used equipment for sale and would like to know roughly if its worth looking into or not. I'm planning on using a Mini split for AC and either the same for heat or maybe a radiant tube.(ceiling, not floor) I have a 30'x40'x10' pole building with 6" blankets in the walls and going to be blown-in in the ceiling. All metal interior and 3 8x9 oh doors and one man door, no windows. Un insulated slab. In NJ, gets kinda cold and kinda hot, but not real extreme.

Heres my build thread, but it basically shows what I just described.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169738

Also, I know I need to have a heat loss/calculation done, but is this something I do or do I have to hire someone?

Thanks, someone please throw out a number , I give up.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

First, how will you be using the building?

 

[bullnerd]

Home hobby machine/fab shop that may turn into a small production shop if the tool I plan to sell takes off. I will be in it everyday.

Thanks badger , I was hoping you'd reply.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Assuming you have two fuel choices, propane or electricity. I would start with a mini-split heat pump for heating and cooling. You may want two heads, one for each room if you wish to keep them at significantly different temperatures.

I would try it like this for a season since this will cost less to operate than anything currently available for propane or electricity. If you want radiant heat, you may want a residential low-intensity gas tube heater, but I think you will be comfortable in your climate with the heat pump.

The only concern I would have is moving sawdust through an expensive mini-split head. For wood shops a proper ventilation/filtration system is usually a must. If you want both sides at the same or nearly the same temp you will likely be happy with an exhaust fan on while working and the adjoining room door open for heat.

If you find the edges of your slab cool or frosty you may need to shovel down a foot or two and plug an inch or two of XPS on the vertical.

As for size, you will need a heat load. With a winter design temperature of 14F I would be shocked if you need more than a single 1.5 ton unit. Note the heating output at your outdoor design temperature, We install and I own Mitsubishi and Fujitsu.

 

[bullnerd]

Thanks for the reply Badger. I read all your posts carefully and try to learn from them, that's part of the reason I want to get the mini-split sized correctly.

I have electric and NG available.

The "rooms" will not have a wall to the ceiling, probably only 4-5' high, just to separate and kinda control floor dust. I was hoping to get away with one large head at the opposite end of the oh doors, but Im just guessing. I do have a dust collector at each machine and will be adding a ceiling mounted dust filter also. I have read about the MS and saw dust issues. It wont be a high volume wood shop.

I was with you right up to this,

"As for size, you will need a heat load. With a winter design temperature of 14F I would be shocked if you need more than a single 1.5 ton unit. Note the heating output at your outdoor design temperature."

Do I do the heat load?
How do I convert 1.5 ton to BTU? It seems all the units I see for sale are rated in BTUs?

Edit: I see on the Mitsu website 1.5ton is about 18,000 btu.

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Yes. I do heat loads and specify equipment.

Usually you will want air to circulate at or near the doors, but again you building is modest and your climate relatively mild. One head should do it.

You can find me at BadgerRadiantDesigns. Send your cost for electricity and gas.

 

[bullnerd]

Thanks again Badger, Email sent.

BTW, your experience and knowledge is very impressive.(based on your bio on your website.)

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

Thank you kindly.