Sealed Room 3k lights need A/C advice cold climate

I have a medical basement grow in Michigan. Have a sealed room with co2 burner approx 100 sq ft. but adding more caregiving clients, will probably add on to that up to 200 sq ft. Currently using a window a/c. Worked in spring, but not enough btu's for summer heat. Have another window a/c with 24000 btu's. But it doesn't fit in window. Considering installing in the wall inside. Pro's & cons to this? Also looking at other options. I don't have central air now. Would central air work when you want to concentrate it more in one room than the rest? I know that is the reason most folks suggest a mini split system. I have also seen a/c's that are made just for computer rooms, has anyone ever tried those?

Also what compressors that are located outside would work in the winter, when it is 0 degrees outside? I know the window a/c had a hard time when it got really cold.

If I have to spend $1500 on a/c it would be nice to do the entire house. I have spent $7000 on my venture so far, I just want to get the a/c right the first time.

are you using air cooled hoods for your lights?

I use my central air in my pad, and just shut the vents off in most of the other rooms...the cold air dumps ferociously in the growroom because its one of 3 vents that arent closed

yes I use air cooled 8" ducts. So your c/a works good then? I found one a 2 ton one for $500 on craigs list. Do you have any problems during the winter? Does the compressor work? And does it draw attention because you can hear it running during the time most people are running heaters?

During the winter, you should save A/C as well as the hydro and plug in a good intake fan. I can freeze my room and plants if i don't run the fan on a timer during winter period.

here's a detailed ac calculator from consumer reports - it even lets you include appliances (ie lights) and their heat. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/a...heet/index.htm

fluffygrrrl said:

yes I use air cooled 8" ducts. So your c/a works good then? I found one a 2 ton one for $500 on craigs list. Do you have any problems during the winter? Does the compressor work? And does it draw attention because you can hear it running during the time most people are running heaters?

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I live in the desert, and the temps get kinda hot during the day so i run the lights at night. in the winter i dont need the ac, i just air from the outside..make sure you have an intake filter to keep pests out.

fluffygrrrl said:

I have a medical basement grow in Michigan. Have a sealed room with co2 burner approx 100 sq ft. but adding more caregiving clients, will probably add on to that up to 200 sq ft. Currently using a window a/c. Worked in spring, but not enough btu's for summer heat. Have another window a/c with 24000 btu's. But it doesn't fit in window. Considering installing in the wall inside. Pro's & cons to this? Also looking at other options. I don't have central air now. Would central air work when you want to concentrate it more in one room than the rest? I know that is the reason most folks suggest a mini split system. I have also seen a/c's that are made just for computer rooms, has anyone ever tried those?

Also what compressors that are located outside would work in the winter, when it is 0 degrees outside? I know the window a/c had a hard time when it got really cold.

If I have to spend $1500 on a/c it would be nice to do the entire house. I have spent $7000 on my venture so far, I just want to get the a/c right the first time.

Click to expand...

Hey Fluffy ever get this figured out? What did you end up doing? How does it work for you?

EVERYONE - I'm in a similar situation but the house I use has an older central HVAC system. I've shut off and sealed all the vents going to other rooms (house not used for other purposes) so the AC only blows in the large grow room (14' x 25'). I'm in the SouthEast US where outside temps stay in the high 90s a lot. This summer I'm running 3 air-cooled 1000W HPS bulbs at night. The central HVAC has been able to keep the room at 75. I'm planning to add 4 more 1000W bulbs and I'm concerned about the HVAC keeping up with the added heat. I'm considering buying a separate AC to help and trying to decide what to get.

Does anyone have any recommendations or advice???

Should I go with a mini-split system??? Since I've already got things set up I don't want to have an AC technician over for the install. How hard are they to install yourself? I'm pretty handy with wiring but I don't have any AC specific tools.

Will a mini-split system be more efficient than the central HVAC? Will it save me $$$ on the power bill? My bill in the summer running the 3 lights is already $560...

I'm thinking I might add 2 more 1000W bulbs first and see how things go. If I can get by using the central HVAC only I would prefer it.

I got the mini split system, and I really like it. Going to install more in my pole barn. Make sure you buy the inverter style. A seer rating of 15 to 21 is what you also look for. You will save a ton of money on a/c, and these units also qualify for the tax credit.