Herp room heating and cooling....

I am trying to figure out what would be best to control my room temps in my new repitle room/office. It is a small attic-bedroom(about 12'x15', ~8' ceiling with two 8/12 roof slopes cutting the room down at about 42" up the wall) that currently has a 525 watt window a/c unit keeping it cool(no thermostat on a/c unit only low, high, etc.).

I would like to also put a small heater in the room too. I could then run both the heater and a/c unit through some thermostat setup to keep the room at a constant temperature all year long (i.e. below 76 degrees (a/c off, heater on), above 78 degrees (a/c on, heater off)).

What are your thoughts on that kind of setup and what would you all recommend using to run something like that?

...or I could replace the window a/c unit and buy one with a thermostat and purchase a heater with a thermostat and let them run themselves. Would that be a better option?

Take a look at the Herpstat II. I believe that does both heating and cooling, but you might have a problem with the load from the A/C. I'd recommend that you keep the A/C unit and get an oil filled heater. Do NOT rely on the thermostats on the heater or a/c unit. They're junk and you would be lucky to keep the temps within 10 degrees. If the Herpstat II can't handle the load from the A/C, get two Johnsons or Rancos.

Daniel,

I would recommend around an 8,000 BTU window unit. If you want to run it on a thermostat go with either a Johnson Control or Ranco, you can't run a window unit with a proportional Tstat, the compressor can't handle the constant voltage drop. For the heat go with an oil filled radiator, you can buy them at Walmart, Lowes, or Home Depot. Don't buy the Honeywell with LCD display, look for the ones with the dial on it. You can set the heater on an on/off tstat or proprotional. Also I would put a ceiling fan in if you don't already to ensure good heat exchange. Hope this helps you out, if you have any questions just ask.
Thanks,
Wil Combs

We use Rancos to heat or cool our room. They are good up to 1500 watts and so far have been extremely reliable. ;)

Thanks guys...

Just one more question....where would I place the probes in a setup like this? Should they be 'in the air' or attached to something?

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Originally Posted by daniel1983

Thanks guys...

Just one more question....where would I place the probes in a setup like this? Should they be 'in the air' or attached to something?

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I attached mine to the outside wall of one of my racks. about 1/3 up from the floor.

I place to mine as close to the center of the room as I can get it and about 4' off the floor. I also use a couple of fans to keep the air constantly circulating to create an even temperature throughout the room. I personally love the oscillating "tower" fans for circulating the air. ;)

You could place the probe on the wall. Just ensure that you are not putting it in a dead space void of airflow or in a place with too much airflow. This will have an adverse effect on the temperature display. Good luck.
Wil

8/12 i wouldn't want to shingle that! lol


i would get a ranco for the ac and use that to control it.

also use a seperate ranco/helix on an oil filled heater to provide heat. alot of oil filled heaters now have different settings/wattages so you can chose. mine does low ,med,high (600,900,1500 watts).

i put my probe for heat on an exterior wall, so it senses the coldest area. a few inches off the wall.


vaughn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kavmon

8/12 i wouldn't want to shingle that! lol


i would get a ranco for the ac and use that to control it.

also use a seperate ranco/helix on an oil filled heater to provide heat. alot of oil filled heaters now have different settings/wattages so you can chose. mine does low ,med,high (600,900,1500 watts).

i put my probe for heat on an exterior wall, so it senses the coldest area. a few inches off the wall.


vaughn

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The wizard of heating and cooling has spoken! :partyon:

Thanks for the help everyone. Putting in my order for two Rancos now...but the stores here aren't carrying heaters just yet so that might take a bit ;)

I think it would be sweet if you got one of those hotel style window units that heat and cool...all in one. That is what some of my pals with stand alone herp building are using. Set it and forget it...lol!

Daniel,
Our Home Depot just got the heaters in, you might want to check them out. I second Bill as well, a tower fan will work wonders and keep the room nice and even.

Hey everyone, I have a small herp room. would a herpstat pro be able to handle a oil filled heater that buses 400 watts? i think each output ob the pro is 400 watts so i assume that i could....do the oil filled heaters keep a pretty constant temperature? thanks, chris

400 watts is pretty low for most oil-filled

heaters. my heater has low,med,high settings which is like 600,900,1500 watts. i would use a ranco (rated for 1500 watts) to control the oil-filled heater.

if you can help it, you don't want to run the maximum wattage for your themostat.


vaughn

Everything got covered well but just throwing in my 1 cent. I keep the probe for room temps on a rack also, at the front where the tubs pull out. Depending on room size temps could be more than a few degrees different in areas with unforseen air currents.

I agree with using a Ranco or Johnson (inexpensive but good on/off stats) Using a Helix on an a room/space heater would be like driving a race car to work. It'd get you there, but its not all that practical. :)

Thanks for the advice guys