Input on HVAC for shop.

[southernfriedcj]

Hello all.

I would appreciate some input on HVAC for my new shop.

HVAC is the one construction item I have always left to the pros(I'm a builder).

I'm building a 40x68 shop with a flat ceiling and 13' high walls. 2x6 wall framing with r19 batts. Blow in R30 attic insulation. Light color exterior walls, dark shingle roof, average sun exposure. Shop is outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

I ran a load calc online and it stated 48k equipment BTUs and 98k cooling BTUs.

I'm leaning towards DIY Mr Cool mini splits.

It appears individual units are cheaper than a multi zone compressor with multiple air handlers. I like the idea of individual units in the event one unit has an issue.

My questions:

Is there so issue with running the line sets in the walls in new construction? I don't see an issue, but I thought I would ask.

If I put the air handlers on the back wall will I have a problem cooling 40' to the front? Is a ceiling mount in the middle(front to back)of the shop better? I could use fans for circulation. Not a fan of HVAC in the attic. I could put a unit on each end wall and 1 or two on the back wall.

If air handlers are wall mounted, what height is best on a 13' high wall?

I plan to mount the compressors high on the back exterior wall to get them out of the way of equipment/mowers. Is that cool(no pun intended)?

I'm thinking either four 12k BTU units or three 18 BTU units. Opinions?

There will be no interior walls in the shop.
The plan is to run the unit in the area I'm working. The other units will be set warmer or cooler. As an example, in the summer have all units set on 80 and when I'm working, set the unit in that area on 70. Thoughts?

Has anyone used a "curtain" to keep hot/cold sir in a section of their shop. Like the plastic curtains in walk in coolers?

Thanks!

 

[PoorUB]

I see around 5 tons of cooling required, unless you have a bunch of heat creating equipment. No way is it 8 ton.

I always wonder about large shops and heating or cooling the whole area. Unless you have multiple projects going on, in my mind it would be better to have a work area and a storage area. You can heat and cool both, but obviously the storage area can run warmer or cooler than the work area depending on the time of year.

 

[SLM]

Hello all.

I would appreciate some input on HVAC for my new shop.

HVAC is the one construction item I have always left to the pros(I'm a builder).

I'm building a 40x68 shop with a flat ceiling and 13' high walls. 2x6 wall framing with r19 batts. Blow in R30 attic insulation. Light color exterior walls, dark shingle roof, average sun exposure. Shop is outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

I ran a load calc online and it stated 48k equipment BTUs and 98k cooling BTUs.

I'm leaning towards DIY Mr Cool mini splits.

It appears individual units are cheaper than a multi zone compressor with multiple air handlers. I like the idea of individual units in the event one unit has an issue.

My questions:

Is there so issue with running the line sets in the walls in new construction? I don't see an issue, but I thought I would ask.

If I put the air handlers on the back wall will I have a problem cooling 40' to the front? Is a ceiling mount in the middle(front to back)of the shop better? I could use fans for circulation. Not a fan of HVAC in the attic. I could put a unit on each end wall and 1 or two on the back wall.

If air handlers are wall mounted, what height is best on a 13' high wall?

I plan to mount the compressors high on the back exterior wall to get them out of the way of equipment/mowers. Is that cool(no pun intended)?

I'm thinking either four 12k BTU units or three 18 BTU units. Opinions? 8 tons seems like a lot to me.

There will be no interior walls in the shop.
The plan is to run the unit in the area I'm working. The other units will be set warmer or cooler. As an example, in the summer have all units set on 80 and when I'm working, set the unit in that area on 70. Thoughts?

Has anyone used a "curtain" to keep hot/cold sir in a section of their shop. Like the plastic curtains in walk in coolers?

Thanks!

You might want to think about installing a roof top unit on a platform or on the ground. they come in different heat & cooling size. By doing this you only have one unit, and can run duct work on the outside or inside on the wall up to ceiling and split duct and install a zone damper for shop or storage side. The more units the more cost. Also when you size a unit for a shop depends on how warm and how cool you want it to be al the time..
My shop is 40x40 with a 16 foot ceiling in northern Indiana. the furnace is a 75,000 with a 30,000 A/C unit. keep the temp at 65 in winter when working and 50 when gone and 72 in summer.
good luck.

 

[PoorUB]

The problem with rooftop units is the efficiency. Most are 80% on gas, and the AC side doesn't keep up with residential efficiencies.

The OP is in georgia. Heating with a mini split or two will be easy, and cooling he can enjoy the high SEER ratings you will not see with an RTU.

If nothing else he would be better off with a conventional residential air handler and a high SEER heat pump.

 

[southernfriedcj]

I see around 5 tons of cooling required, unless you have a bunch of heat creating equipment. No way is it 8 ton.

My mistake. I did the math at 6k BTUs per ton instead of 12k BTUs.

 

[southernfriedcj]

Anyone with a similar size shop have some feedback?