To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Does my steel building have enough insulation?

Hobby_Man22

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
3,581
Location
tx
I'm in the process of insulating my metal building. I finally got both sides of the shop sealed up so you can no longer see any daylight peaking through. The insulation isn't done yet, but it does seem to be able to keep the shop at 70 while it's 50 degrees outside. Except that it doesn't really cycle on and off it just runs the whole time. I think the standard for my area or at least the standard insulation amount for a metal building in my area is 6" on the roof and 3" on the side. I'm going with R30 all around because it fits nicely inside the metal purlins and still leave a little bit of a gap for airflow in between the metal and the insulation. I'm just going to be mad if I do this and the heater can't keep up since I like to keep it warmer than most since sometimes i'm just sitting their watching tv. Now if I'm working then I can turn it down to like 62.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
H

Hobby_Man22

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
3,581
Location
tx
12ft tall 30x50 building. Yes it's an open ceiling. The shop has a 5 ton heat pump system.
 
OP
H

Hobby_Man22

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
3,581
Location
tx
Yes the air is being circulated. It has 6 vents that are connected to spiral ductwork that goes all the way across one side of the shop.
 
Last edited:

The Cobbler

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Messages
26,181
Location
Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
you're above the norm in your area , you should be fine . but I would probably cut back on the walls a bit & add to the ceiling as that would be more effective use of your $$$
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

pogrelis97

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 7, 2017
Messages
193
Location
Innsbrook Missouri
I have a 40x60x14 (no ceiling) with the insulation they roll out before the metal goes on. I also have a 5ton ducted electric furnace but I can have it 70degrees inside while its 20 outside and my furnace doesn't run constantly or anywhere close to it. If your furnace is running constantly just to maintain a 20degree difference I would think you have a problem with your furnace not the insulation.
If you don't mind me asking, what is your electric bill when you are running a lot of heat? I just bought a 5 ton heat pump system to replace my full electric furnace and I'm hoping I can save a decent amount of money on my electric bill. It gets a little outrageous currently.
 
OP
H

Hobby_Man22

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
3,581
Location
tx
It must be the roof that loses all the heat. I'm still working on installing it. I'm not at the shop all the time, so the bill is like $35. I have a heat strip system at the house and the bill is $90-$150
 
OP
H

Hobby_Man22

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
3,581
Location
tx
The heat pump itself only pulls like 13 amps but if you crank the heat up to a higher level on the thermostat it will kick on the heat strips which pull a solid 55 amps. It's basically an air conditionally that reverses and pulls heat from outside and brings it inside.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom