somewhat off/on topic

bedwards

bedwards

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If you could, what would you try to keep the humidity in your shop. I have a 12x22 shop enclosed in a 25x60 metal building. The room is sealed and is as tight as a house. I only have a window unit and a space heater to control climate. This is the first year that I started having hair grow on stuff and it smelled bad so I cleaned the room up and bought a dehumidifier that really knocks the level down but I don't like to leave things running all the time. Long and short of it, I have it set at 60% right now and things seem better.

Thoughts?

Bedwards
 
It is running all the time now because the humidity in the room is not stabilized. If the room is tight like you say, when it reaches a point where the humidity is close to constant it will run only when needed. Also make sure the unit is large enough to do the job. I keep mine at 65% with no trouble.

"Billy G" :))

Size Calculator

http://www.whichdehumidifier.com/?gclid=CLCchp23wrICFYio4Aod_jwAeg
 
my little 8 x 26 has insulation sides and ceiling and a 30k furnace with a standing pilot. . . because of the pilot, i never need dehumid. even in the 90F temps of summer. in spring and fall, the pilot takes care of it, and of course in the winter i try to keep it about 50F. you probably need the humidifier where you are. . . "south = humidity" right ?
 
It is 40pint unit. I had a bigger one that I found out had been recalled. So... maybe 60-65% means no hair growth? I'll try that. I never thought I would have to worry about that. I guess its coming through the concrete floor? Everything else is sealed as well as a house.

thanks for the quick responses

BE
 
Here in NE Texas, humidity isn't normally such a problem like it is near the coast, like Houston/Galveston, for instance. When I am running my A/C, I end up with around 50% RH. Right now, shop temp is 71°f and RH is 52%. I have a hygrometer that was surplused to me from an OR at the hospital I do work for. I believe it's pretty accurate. I do find though, that as it dries out, when the RH gets into the low 40% range, it's uncomfortable. Nose and mouth dry, and I stay thirsty. But it doesn't get there too often.
 
That is a medium sized room you have. Try that in the calculator and I think you will see it is too small.If so, it will run constant. I would think something around 55 pints would do well for you.

"Billy G" :thumbsup:


If you go by square footage, 12X22 equates to 264 sq. ft. That acording to the calculator says you need a 35 pint unit. You should be OK with yours.
 
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My shop is 20X22 , six inches of insulation in the walls and 8 inches in the ceiling. This is inside a Morton steel building.

I keep the humidity at 45%- 50% year round. Zero rust, zero mold, dry floor in the spring when the first warm days come.

A 6000 btu air conditioner set on low keeps the shop very cool in 100 degree weather. A portable electric heater keeps the shop at 68 degrees in the coldest winter. I keep it set at 50 degrees when I'm not in there.
 
Its settled down to 55% now (where I have it set) and seems to not be running all that much.

thanks again
bedwards
 
Over time it will run even less. It takes time to stabilize an environment.

"Billy G" :))
 
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