Pioneer size recommendations?

[raco232]

I have a 30x50x13 pole barn w\10x10 non-insulated roll up door, (2) 3x3 windows and (1) walk thru door, 15x50 lean-to on back & 8x50 lean to on front side, concrete floor w\no insulation under it. The front wall(50') w\the doors and windows is always shaded, as well as the back side(50') via the lean-to's. I have metal scissor or arched trusses. The insulation will be about a R34 on ceiling & R24 in the walls & I live in the Memphis, TN area.

I called HighSeer.com today and asked for their recommendation on a mini-split system. The only question I was asked, "What is the size of the building?" I replied that it is a 30x50. He did not ask anymore questions about the building. He recommended (2) 12ton units(24,000btu). I am concerned because no questions were asked about insulation, doors, windows or wall height. He said the units are variable speed and will operate at whatever load is put on them. Does his recommendation sound reasonable with the building that I described?

 

[justinjoyal]

I called HighSeer.com today and asked for their recommendation on a mini-split system. The only question I was asked, "What is the size of the building?" I replied that it is a 30x50. He did not ask anymore questions about the building. He recommended (2) 12ton units(24,000btu). I am concerned because no questions were asked about insulation, doors, windows or wall height. He said the units are variable speed and will operate at whatever load is put on them. Does his recommendation sound reasonable with the building that I described?

You can tell they are amateur, improvised hvac « professionnals » or salespersons or whatever they wanna be called.

You need to input your data in a load calculator. Try www.loadcalc.net

Otherwise it’s all guessing and the results will go accordingly.

 

[sreeb]

In general, HVAC component wholesalers don't provide that kind of information so, if it was less than you need, it was probably more than you should expect. Their customers, the installers, do those calculations. Highseer is fairly friendly to end users but still a wholesaler.

He offered you up a very flexible system. Between variable speed compressors and turning off one unit, you don't need to worry about it being too big.

Last I looked, 24K was about the sweet spot for btu/$ in mini-splits so you probably don't want to go larger.

If it turns out too small, you can add a third.

So yes, you got a one size fits all answer but it might well work out OK.

What do you get if you do the calculation on the above website?

 

[raco232]

Thanks for the replies. I just woke up, going to eat a snack, then back to bed. Tonight is my last night shift for 6 days, then back to nights again. I will do a load cal tonight at work and report back. Again, thanks for all your help!

 

[raco232]

I'm at work now and did the load calculation. It came up to 31055 btu's heating. I'm thinking of going with (2) 18,000 btu mini-split units. I am just now finishing out interior of building and have no electricity yet. As soon as I have power to the breaker panel, I will order (1) unit and get it installed. That damn humidity is coming back and I can't work very long in the heat & humidity. Then, when I can afford it, I will purchase a second unit.

Does this seem reasonable? I only want to do this once.

 

[Ohmthis]

I’d order a 24k btu unit and then order a 12k unit later if needed. You may never need the second depending on how you “build it out”.

 

[sreeb]

24K units cost very little more than the 18K units. If you are only going cool/heat intermittently then the extra capacity will be handy when you want to pull it down in a hurry. If you are going with 1 to start, make it a 24K.

 

[raco232]

Thanks guys! I never thought of the quick cool down scenario.

 

[chrispyny]

24K units cost very little more than the 18K units. If you are only going cool/heat intermittently then the extra capacity will be handy when you want to pull it down in a hurry. If you are going with 1 to start, make it a 24K.

Completely agree, based on your square footage alone and your non insulated doors.

 

[justinjoyal]

Thanks for the replies. I just woke up, going to eat a snack, then back to bed. Tonight is my last night shift for 6 days, then back to nights again. I will do a load cal tonight at work and report back. Again, thanks for all your help!

What kind of work?

 

[raco232]

What kind of work?

Electrician/automation at Rockwool Insulation.