best way to stay cool

Search forums for mini-split HVAC discussions.
General opinion is they are best way to deal with heat, humidity, and dust in the shop.

If air conditioning is out of the question…

I find a box fan and wicking shirts do the trick for me. I aim the box fan so I am typically getting hit in the back as about the largest area for evaporation, hits the back of my neck and shaved head. Plus no dust and crap blown in your face. Typically wear a light weight nylon hiking pant also.

A large Yeti style cup also is a must in my book. Can keep tea or water cool in even very hot weather to keep hydrated and doesn't sweat.

Another vote for a mini-split. Just understand they do NOT de-humidify much. Coils run at or above dew point which is one reason they get the very high SEER ratings. You may need a de-humidifier as well. Seems stupid to me as we would use less energy if we had a 16 SEER that ran 5 degrees cooler so we don't need a dehumidifier!

Of course insulation is key, even if you just open up and use fans.

Search forums for mini-split HVAC discussions.
General opinion is they are best way to deal with heat, humidity, and dust in the shop.

- CaptainKlutz

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+1.

I live in So Cal. During a few weeks of summer the only way to stay cool is to work at night or early morning. Beach during the day then shop at night.

Just understand they do NOT de-humidify much…. - tvrgeek

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Pfft. Please stop propagating this misnomer debunked here and here

The ability of a mini-split to dehumidify depends on what you buy.
Buy cheap junk, have improper gas levels/pressures, and/or unit with too much capacity for room size; then de-humidification is subpar.
There are differences in HVAC optimizations made for different climate zones. Most people don't know they need a unit rated for their location. This makes buying a random Mini-Split online somewhat like gambling at Black Jack tables.

Complaints about humidity removal are perfect example why is it best to let a professional recommend the size, brand's/PN's optimized for local use, and install any HVAC unit.

Cheers!

I live in GA and have had 2 small shops before moving the shop to the house. Insulation is a must. The ability to have a quick cool down from a closed up shops 100 plus temperatures is a big plus. Quick cool down meaning an open door on one end and a high cfm fan on the other. I used a HF 8" portable Ventilator which doubled for exhaust when spraying finishes. My shops were small so the correct size widow unit had the shop cooled down enough to start fairly quickly.With the size of your shop window units would not be the best choice. Check into the mini split units. Pick a quality unit that is rated a little bigger than the space your cooling.

North of you so some cooler in SW Ohio. I'm 32×48 all on a thick concrete pad, which I call my cool sink.

I'm well insulated with 2×4 framed walls fully stuffed, and R 56 in the attic, with well sealed doors and windows.

Going out in the early Am, I need a light jacket, because all that concrete gets cool overnight.

I keep it closed off, and only open the man door going in, or out. In the past I used to have to exit about 3:30PM, now I've hung 2, 6' diameter fans in the back, and flipping them on I can hang till 7PM or so when it's time to eat, going in then anyhow.

Before I spent a few thou on cooling a barn, I'd see what Ma Nature would do for you.

Ice cold beer.

Don't get a unit rated for more than your space. That leads directly to not removing humidity. On the hottest day, the unit should run most of the time. Under size slightly for the best dehumidification.

If you have to add something, the mini split would be my first choice….plus it will provide heat when you need it. Remember, while it may be warm enough for you in the winter you may still need a little more to allow finishes to dry/cure, or glue to set up.

As said above, the unit must be sized to run long enough to pull the moisture out. Sticking in an oversized unit will turn your shop into a mold spore.

I have an 18K BTU mini split in a 25×25 well insulated space with 10 foot ceiling and it works great. Obviously a 25×40 foot would require much larger unit.

Air conditioning can be expensive so I would get a big box fan and keep a continuous air flow going through the shop. It will still feel warm, but the continuous air flow will make it more comfortable. Position the fan to draw air from the cool side of the shop and exhaust at the sunny side of the shop.

I leave my AC on auto and set at the same temp all summer long to make it comfortable and keep rust at bay.

My mini cools my 16×24 shop with a 10' ceiling for 25 cents a day I have the hour meter and the kilowatt hour meter on the unit to record costs. I log it almost daily. So a 24×48 should cost less than $1 a day with a 27 rated unit.

If you're still here…..

What type of building? Dedicated electric service?

If you have the power and the funds, spray foam insulation and a heat pump.

I'm in NE FL my shop is a converted horse barn with metal roof. App 1800SF.

I have a 4000CFM exhaust fan, a 20" circulation fan hanging from the rafters and a 20" pedestal fan as well as a couple moveable floor fans.

My mini cools my 16×24 shop with a 10 ceiling for 25 cents a day I have the hour meter and the kilowatt hour meter on the unit to record costs. I log it almost daily. So a 24×48 should cost less than $1 a day with a 27 rated unit.

- ibewjon

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What mini-split unit do you have? I have the same size shop and wish to insulate…
I need to rid myself of the humidity, mold, and rust…

Mine is from LG. I can't get the model right now, but it was the smallest made at the time. If your shop is 24×48 you will need at least three times larger. You need to size it for your area AND your area. Illinois is different than Georgia. I bought from Supply House.com, but there are unlimited places to buy. I have 12" of fiberglass in the ceiling, and 6" of fiberglass in the walls. So get it sized correctly, pick the highest efficiency rating within your budget, and go for it. You may want 2 or 3 indoor units that run off one condenser outside to spread your cool around.