Cooling a 10x20 Shed: Tips & Tricks

[icor1031]

I have a 10x20 shed. It has a chipboard floor, and below that is about 8" of open space, which wind will blow through. If needed, I can close it off - but I cannot insulate it.

My main concern is not with heating the room, although that would be a nice benefit. By far, my concern is with cooling it.

I can add an A/C, but I am using R11 insulation on the walls. I can put R11 on the ceiling also, but again - I cannot insulate the floor.
With all of that considered, and considering that heat rises, and R11 is such a low value - would I be better off to *not* use an A/C, and to leave the ceiling without insulation?
And any other tips or tricks are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Andrew Mason]

I have a 10x20 shed. It has a chipboard floor, and below that is about 8" of open space, which wind will blow through. If needed, I can close it off - but I cannot insulate it.

My main concern is not with heating the room, although that would be a nice benefit. By far, my concern is with cooling it.

I can add an A/C, but I am using R11 insulation on the walls. I can put R11 on the ceiling also, but again - I cannot insulate the floor.
With all of that considered, and considering that heat rises, and R11 is such a low value - would I be better off to *not* use an A/C, and to leave the ceiling without insulation?
And any other tips or tricks are appreciated.

Thanks!

If the outside is warmer than you want it to be inside, you will need an air conditioner. This is the case whether you have insulation or not. The insulation will just slow down the rate at which heat flows into the building. When the inside gets as warm as the outside the insulation doesn't matter if you have no A/C. The inside can get warmer than the outside if the building is exposed to direct sun.

The insulation will affect how much work the AC has to do to keep the room cool. So it would be a good idea to insulate as much as possible and to close off the air circulation below the floor.

AM

 

[icor1031]

The building is exposed to direct sun, and that is my concern: that the A/C cannot keep up with the heat created by the direct sun.

I believe the A/C is 12,000 BTU.

What do you suggest, for this?

If the outside is warmer than you want it to be inside, you will need an air conditioner. This is the case whether you have insulation or not. The insulation will just slow down the rate at which heat flows into the building. When the inside gets as warm as the outside the insulation doesn't matter if you have no A/C. The inside can get warmer than the outside if the building is exposed to direct sun.

The insulation will affect how much work the AC has to do to keep the room cool. So it would be a good idea to insulate as much as possible and to close off the air circulation below the floor.

AM

 

[Andrew Mason]

The building is exposed to direct sun, and that is my concern: that the A/C cannot keep up with the heat created by the direct sun.

I believe the A/C is 12,000 BTU.

What do you suggest, for this?

Definitely insulate the ceiling. You might also put in an attic fan if there is an attic. This will prevent the buildup of heat under the roof. Having a reflective (white or silver) roof will also help a lot. Other than that, get a more powerful A/C.

AM

 

[pmacias]

I would recommend considering a few options for cooling your 10x20 shed. First, you may want to consider adding some type of ventilation system, such as a fan or vents, to allow for air circulation and help remove hot air from the shed. This can be especially effective if you have the option to close off the open space under the chipboard floor to prevent wind from blowing through.

Additionally, you may want to consider using reflective insulation on the ceiling instead of traditional R11 insulation. Reflective insulation can help reflect heat away from the shed and keep it cooler. You may also want to consider adding shade to the exterior of the shed, such as a canopy or trees, to help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that enters the shed.

If you do decide to add an A/C unit, it may be more effective to insulate the ceiling and walls with a higher R-value insulation, such as R19 or R30. This will help keep the cool air inside the shed and prevent it from escaping through the walls and ceiling.

Finally, it's important to consider the size and efficiency of the A/C unit you choose. A unit that is too small will struggle to cool the space, while a unit that is too large may use more energy than necessary. It's important to properly size and maintain your A/C unit to ensure it is running efficiently.

Overall, the best approach for cooling your shed will depend on your specific circumstances and preferences. I would recommend experimenting with different options and monitoring the temperature inside the shed to determine the most effective solution for your needs.