![]() ![]() Deciding which fuel source is most cost-effective depends on the current and future fuel prices, including off-peak electricity rates, the efficiency of the heating system and the amount of energy each heating system will require. Typical energy sources for farm shops are propane, electricity, fuel oil, and biomass such as corn or wood. Advantages/Disadvantages of Common Systems If different areas of the shop are to be heated at different levels, you would need to make adjustments to the Btu per hour (for example, if the shop area is heated to 50 F and an office included in the building is heated to 72 F). Putting different areas of the farm shop on various zones in which heat can be controlled separately can result in energy savings. A good heating contractor not only will do a heat loss calculation but also will provide guidance on the need for backup heating systems. With a true heat loss calculation, you can install the properly sized heating system, which will ensure you get the proper amount of heat from the installed system and save you money by not having a heating system that is too large for the space you want to heat. ![]() While using generalizations for simple heating system comparisons is fine, you need to do heat loss calculations to properly size a farm shop heater. With advances in insulating techniques, including more attention to air sealing and foundation insulation, farm shops commonly need only 20 Btu per square foot per hour. Just a few years ago, a general rule of thumb was that farm shop heating systems should provide around 50 Btu per square foot per hour. The construction of a building makes a huge difference in how much heat the heating system needs to deliver. Proper Sizingĭeciding on what size heating system to buy for a farm shop will depend on the size of the shop, how the shop will be used, how well it is insulated and how often the large doors will be open. One Btu is about the amount of energy needed to heat a pint of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. Btu per hour is the heating or cooling capacity of a heating appliance or air conditioner. (Carl Pedersen, NDSU) What is a Btu?Ī Btu, or British thermal unit, is a measure of heat. These systems often are preferred because the heated floor provides a warm surface to stand on and water on the floor dries rapidly.įigure 1. Heat is provided from a boiler or ground source heat pump (geothermal). In-floor heating uses hydronic piping (floor heat) embedded in or below the floor to provide heat (Figure 3).They often are used for spot heating areas such as a workbench but can heat the entire shop (Figure 2). Infrared heaters hang from the ceiling and heat the objects exposed to the heater.Forced air heaters generally are installed near the ceiling and burn a fuel source to heat air, which then is circulated throughout the shop (Figure 1).You have three basic options with variations for providing heat in a farm shop: forced air, infrared radiant and in-floor heating systems. ![]()
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