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  1. #1
    BPnet Senior Member Denial's Avatar
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    Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    I have a metal building that I want to use for my reptiles. And we had them in the house but we had some people working on there room in the house so I moved everyone into the building two days ago so the room can be finished and I have to tell you I really enjoy having the extra space in the house and the building is so much larger and easier to move around in and clean everyone. BUt the building does not have heat or air. It is completly wired and there flexwatt and radiant heat panels are hooked up with thermostats and everything But I was going to wait until the beginning of next year to try to make the building suitable for the animals but now since Ive actually gotten them in there and everything I would really like to get the ball going and get them in there permanent. Now I have some people coming out tomorrow to give me a quote on a central heating and air system. But I was wondering if that was my only option or if there were other options? Id really like the building to stay around 80-85 degrees all year round and I really dont want it to get any cooler then 75 and im trying to not get any higer then 93. Its not to hot in there now and everyone seems comfortable but eventually it will start getting to hot in there I believe and once the winter hits im sure it will get pretty cold in it considering its a metal building. It is insulated and I have heaters I can put in there to heat it up but there are no windows or anything to add ac to cool it down if it gets to hot and I was wondering if anyone else has converted a building to a reptile house and what direction they went and how they like it. Thanks for all the help here are some pics of the building to give you an idea about how big it is and how much there is to heat and cool thanks!




  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran twistedtails's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    I used to do heating and air till I decided to go to college. What I can tell you is that without insulation there is no efficient way to heat or cool your building(that is a no brainer). You could look into a portable air conditioner and use additional fans to circulate the air(this would be the cheap way). Another thing I can tell you is that the sales reps might try to oversell the job. All you need is 1 ton of air for ever 500 sq. ft. of space(that is the rule of thumb). With a central heat and air system and no isulation you will be spending an arm and leg on electricity Also check into a roof mounted package unit and go with exposed duct work. Hope this help you a little.

  3. #3
    BPnet Veteran nixer's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    ive built many many steel buildings and have a barn like yours only much larger and i must say that white foam doesnt do much. the best and cheapest option really for this type of building is that spray foam. it really keeps my barn cool in the summer and i can go in there in the winter with out heat and it not real cold in there, not only that it will prevent a condensation problem that you will surely see once the inside temp is different than the outside.

  4. #4
    BPnet Senior Member Denial's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    I had a guy come out today and gave me a quote of 5 grand and two other companies are coming out tomorrow to give me quotes on it. It will also be insulated and drywall put up

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    BPnet Veteran takagari's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    make sure you spend the money on the higher quality dry wall to keep mold down

  6. #6
    BPnet Senior Member Denial's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    Is there anyway to stop the mold 100 percent? Im dont really know a whole lot about building or anything lol

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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    Call some of the small company's that dont spend as much on advertising they are alot cheaper. I do hvac for a living

  8. #8
    BPnet Veteran nixer's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    Quote Originally Posted by Denial View Post
    Is there anyway to stop the mold 100 percent? Im dont really know a whole lot about building or anything lol
    not 100% but mold needs food and moisture to grow.
    if you use paper-less drywall it gives less for the mold to eat. the condensation issue i brought up earlier will also make it worse.

  9. #9
    BPnet Veteran tonkatoyman's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    Quote Originally Posted by nixer View Post
    not 100% but mold needs food and moisture to grow.
    if you use paper-less drywall it gives less for the mold to eat. the condensation issue i brought up earlier will also make it worse.
    The paint you use can also hinder growth. A good epoxy paint is expensive but very moisture resistant. I also am a contractor

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to tonkatoyman For This Useful Post:

    Denial (07-30-2009)

  11. #10
    BPnet Senior Member Denial's Avatar
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    Re: Best method for heating and air in metal building????

    Thanks everyone. Yea Im trying to get started on this and hopefully finsihing it up with tax return money next year. I have a friend that said he doesnt mind doing the drywall. I can paint it.

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