Shop climate control

[jethro16]

Hello all, I am in the process of finishing up a storage building/workshop and I need some advice on how to heat and cool it. #First of all, it's a 2-story 16x24 barn type. #I've insulated the whole thing and the first floor (which will be the shop) will have 1/2" paneling. #
I guess my first question is since I plan to use the shop to build mandolins and guitars in, am I correct in assuming that I will need to keep the temperature from getting too hot or cold when I'm not in there? #I live in Central North Carolina so the winters are usually mild with the coldest temps sometimes (not often) in the teens and in the summer usually no warmer than mid 90's. #

Secondly, any recommendations on how to do it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #So far I think my best option is one of those through the wall PTAC units like you find in most hotel rooms. #I've also looked at some of the mini-spit systems but those seem to be a bit more expensive. #I'm already over budget on this "storage" building so I want to consider all my options.

Thanks!

Jeff

[sunburst]

Relative humidity (RH) is the main thing you need to control, and it is temperature dependent, so the two sort of go hand in hand. Temperatures that are uncomfortable for living space aren't so bad for the shop, as long as the RH is kept between about 40% and 60%.
I have one of those through the wall heat pumps in my shop, and a wood stove. When it's cold, I use the wood stove, when it's just cool, I use the heat pump. I run a humidifier when I'm heating.
The heat pump does a good job of controlling the temperature and humidity in the summer.
I'm in central Virginia, by the way, so subtract a few degrees from you climate and you know what mine is.

[arbarnhart]

One piece of advice - Get the correct size A/C and don't jump on a deal for a bigger one. I made that mistake when we had a lake cabin a few years ago. It cooled the air so quickly that it did not lower the humidity much and I needed a separate dehumidifier. The correct size A/C unit will handle both jobs at once.

[John Kasley]

I build furniture in my Williamsburg, VA shop. The shop is actually a 3 car garage with minimum insulation. I bought a mini-split heat pump and installed it myself...it helps to have an extra pair of hands to hang it on the wall. I had a local aircon contractor do the final checkout and top off the charge since I had added an extra 12 feet of refrigerant tubing between the indoor and outdoor units. The heat pump function works great in our mild winters and the cooling side works equally as well in July and August. If you're handy with electrical and mechanical work it's definitely doable...don't forget to get the appropriate permits from your local code compliance dept. I definitely saved a chunk of change by buying from a web store and doing my own installation. The compressors in these units are usually Hitachi or Mitsubishi...as they are in more familiar name brand units. Came with a 3 year warranty on the compressor. If you want to know the name of the supplier I purchased from drop me a PM.