rktinc
Well-known member
I am almost two months into my restoration project. My old building is just under 9500 square feet. I have been happy to observe that the thick brick walls and layered/insulated 15' tall ceilings seem to hold temperatures about 10 degrees or more below exterior temps. For instance, with no heat the building remained above freezing during a few days of cold snaps in February. Now with spring temps nearing the 70's the temp has stayed about 15 degrees cooler inside.
After inspections and discussions with friends in the biz, I have determined that the existing 60+ year old HVAC systems are just interesting display items that will be polished and enjoyed as "art." My plan with this 180 x 52 building is to divide it in three areas:
1. new interior construction across the front for retail/office space which will use up the first 52x40 feet.
2.)Middle area will be wide open 52x80 feet of display space/mancave area for my car collection.
3.)workshop/repair area in the last 52x60 feet or so of the building and will be Heated and Cooled with a separate HVAC unit kept at moderate temps not office level temps.
With this being said, My gut tells me that if I zone this building with an HVAC unit up front (2000 sq ft office space) then zone the rear shop (3000 square feet) the middle car display area will be an "envelope" with no HVAC and pretty much be fine with no HVAC for car storage and fair weather enjoyment only. Maybe not the most efficient way to do it as there will be natural "bleed" of conditioned air to the center, but my goal is to only make the front office area climate ideal and the rear shop area just workable.
This plan also helps me use non-three phase residential size units to keep hardware costs and repairs reasonable and easy.
I am in a mid western climate so temp extremes happen each year.
Any thoughts on my idea from the experts? I look forward for good opinions and items I have not considered. I always get a wonderful education here on the GJ.
Thanks,
RKTINC
After inspections and discussions with friends in the biz, I have determined that the existing 60+ year old HVAC systems are just interesting display items that will be polished and enjoyed as "art." My plan with this 180 x 52 building is to divide it in three areas:
1. new interior construction across the front for retail/office space which will use up the first 52x40 feet.
2.)Middle area will be wide open 52x80 feet of display space/mancave area for my car collection.
3.)workshop/repair area in the last 52x60 feet or so of the building and will be Heated and Cooled with a separate HVAC unit kept at moderate temps not office level temps.
With this being said, My gut tells me that if I zone this building with an HVAC unit up front (2000 sq ft office space) then zone the rear shop (3000 square feet) the middle car display area will be an "envelope" with no HVAC and pretty much be fine with no HVAC for car storage and fair weather enjoyment only. Maybe not the most efficient way to do it as there will be natural "bleed" of conditioned air to the center, but my goal is to only make the front office area climate ideal and the rear shop area just workable.
This plan also helps me use non-three phase residential size units to keep hardware costs and repairs reasonable and easy.
I am in a mid western climate so temp extremes happen each year.
Any thoughts on my idea from the experts? I look forward for good opinions and items I have not considered. I always get a wonderful education here on the GJ.
Thanks,
RKTINC