Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 This heat's hell. I hate to hash old meat, as I recall a thread or two from last year about air conditioning for the shop, but my searches turned up nothing. And since I was a lot younger last year, i didn't see the need for one. Can some of you fortunate enough to work in the confines of a cool shop share what you're using and the pros and cons? I'd hate to know I had to stay in the house all summer and watch Martha and Opra reruns while working crossword puzzles and drinking beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 No.. I will not tell you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I'm planning to just get whatever $120 5000 btu thing floating around Lowes. Set it to 75-80. As long as it reduces humidity to a livable level I figure I'm happy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I'm fortunate enough where simply good insulation keeps my shop around 70 in the dead of summer. Point being, if your shop isn't well insulated, that's where I'd start. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 4 minutes ago, K Cooper said: This heat's hell. I hate to hash old meat, as I recall a thread or two from last year about air conditioning for the shop, but my searches turned up nothing. And since I was a lot younger last year, i didn't see the need for one. Can some of you fortunate enough to work in the confines of a cool shop share what you're using and the pros and cons? I'd hate to know I had to stay in the house all summer and watch Martha and Opra reruns while working crossword puzzles and drinking beer! Coop, PM Tom Cancellieri he added a pretty good unit to his shop, but I don't remember the thread. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Shop is on the north side of the house & is very well insulated so there are very few days when it's not comfortable in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 3 minutes ago, Woodenskye said: Coop, PM Tom Cancellieri he added a pretty good unit to his shop, but I don't remember the thread. In my search, the only two I came up with was Tom mentioning he had one and Dave saying he left room for one if ever needed. I will pm Tom. Thanks. 4 minutes ago, drzaius said: Shop is on the north side of the house & is very well insulated so there are very few days when it's not comfortable in there. No smart ass remarks from me this winter about y'all's winter, I promise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 My shop is almost always too cool so no help there. But if you end up getting a ductless mini split don't go with the Lennox I did in my house. Mine is not quiet and the fan never shuts down in A/C mode even if you are below the set temp. I'm sure Lennox has good ones; they are a reputable manufacturer. Just be sure to look at the fine print and see if reviews say it is quiet and that it works on a thermostat (both the fan and the heating/cooling system). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 13 minutes ago, davewyo said: My shop is almost always too cool so no help there. But if you end up getting a ductless mini split don't go with the Lennox I did in my house. Mine is not quiet and the fan never shuts down in A/C mode even if you are below the set temp. I'm sure Lennox has good ones; they are a reputable manufacturer. Just be sure to look at the fine print and see if reviews say it is quiet and that it works on a thermostat (both the fan and the heating/cooling system). That's exactly the help I'm looking for as I just googled that same unit. Thanks how do you look up a member here, as in Tom? 24 minutes ago, TIODS said: I'm fortunate enough where simply good insulation keeps my shop around 70 in the dead of summer. Point being, if your shop isn't well insulated, that's where I'd start. When I built it, I insulated all of the walls and ceiling and one of the overheads. The other I leave open to allow a drain for my sweat band ( and for neighbors to see that I'm home to bum beer and cigars). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Forced air heat and air and lots of insulation. Pros: Keeps the shop comfortable year round. Cons: Initial expense 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croessler Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I installed a Mitsubishi mini split. It has been outstanding and works flawlessly here in Florida. PM me if you want details. Chris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I put in a portable unit. 14,000 BTU. I would have loved a mini split, but dealing with the HOA and having to say yes I'm putting an AC unit outside deal with it would have been more hassle than I wanted to go through. I've had my shop as cold as 64 degrees on a 100 degree day last summer. Insulation is king to help keep the hot out and cold in. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Wish I could help you, Ken. I just have to quit working when the sweat stains get deeper than I can sand out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Damn Ross, I can relate to that, especially yesterday. I can't describe the misery, well, yes I can but the mods would eliminate the reply. My wife came out and after one look, suggested I get an a/c. Immediately I realized I married up! 1 hour ago, Brendon_t said: No.. I will not tell you. Come on dude, we all know where you're a/c $$ went! You'll never live that down! Promise to never bring it up again? Not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Sengele Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Can't say I envy you for living in Houston Coop. It sound like your best option for a comfortable shop is to move. Personally I just use a 36" fan set to high to push the mosquitos and the humidity out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 1 minute ago, Brian Sengele said: Can't say I envy you for living in Houston Coop. It sound like your best option for a comfortable shop is to move. Personally I just use a 36" fan set to high to push the mosquitos and the humidity out Brian, wish me luck. I'm 78 yo, with 28 years left on a 30 year mortgage and two kids, 5 & 7 years old, and a 32 yo bride. Where would I move? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Sengele Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Just now, K Cooper said: Brian, wish me luck. I'm 78 yo, with 28 years left on a 30 year mortgage and two kids, 5 & 7 years old, and a 32 yo bride. Where would I move? The poor house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Oh crap, I failed to mention, that's my address now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Just now, K Cooper said: Brian, wish me luck. I'm 78 yo, with 28 years left on a 30 year mortgage and two kids, 5 & 7 years old, and a 32 yo bride. Where would I move? Are we suppose to believe all that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted June 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 Ripley's did? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 53 minutes ago, K Cooper said: Come on dude, we all know where you're a/c $$ went! You'll never live that down! Promise to never bring it up again? Yeah right, I'd believe that for about half a second.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 1 hour ago, Brian Sengele said: Can't say I envy you for living in Houston Coop. It sound like your best option for a comfortable shop is to move. Personally I just use a 36" fan set to high to push the mosquitos and the humidity out Leave it to the other guy from Texas to tell you to just move...it's what we were all thinking but afraid to say 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I'm fortunate to live in a temperate climate where generally it neither gets too cold nor too hot. I rebuilt my shop around 4 years ago and insulated the heck out of it including all doors (it previously was a 2 stall free standing brick garage). That made a real difference and I can use it year round now. Previously it was too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer due to the lack of insulation making it unpleasant but not impossible to work. So even where I live it was difficult sometimes. Now though things really are different and the installation of insulation has been the game changer for me. If on the rare days when it does get a little hot I open the door slightly and use a floor standing fan to pull the hot air inside out - point the air flow out of the door. I open the window near the bench to create a cross flow and it really does work. Years of cooling server rooms when the A/C failed taught me this trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davestanton Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 I installed a split system during Autumn (Southern hemisphere so we are now in Winter in Australia) and it is excellent. The unit cost me $700 Au and I installed myself. It has a 3.5 to 1 energy efficiency which basically means for every kilowatt of electricity I use I get 3.5 kilowatts of heat or cool. Works in 2 minutes from turn on and my 12,000 BTU unit heats and cools my shop. 13 metres x 5 metres by 2.5 metres tall. The shop is also fully insulated except for the garage door. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Moore Posted June 15, 2016 Report Share Posted June 15, 2016 13 minutes ago, davestanton said: I installed a split system during Autumn (Southern hemisphere so we are now in Winter in Australia) and it is excellent. The unit cost me $700 Au and I installed myself. It has a 3.5 to 1 energy efficiency which basically means for every kilowatt of electricity I use I get 3.5 kilowatts of heat or cool. Works in 2 minutes from turn on and my 12,000 BTU unit heats and cools my shop. 13 metres x 5 metres by 2.5 metres tall. The shop is also fully insulated except for the garage door. Dave where did you find or what is the cover you have on the pipes going from the condenser to the inside unit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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