Woodworking is a great hobby and nothing is more satisfying for a woodworker than to complete their projects in a well-equipped and comfortable workshop. To ensure that you're comfortable as you work, however, you need to give a lot of thought to how you will heat and cool the space. This article takes a look at some of the key options available to you.
Heating
Your heating choices will be dedicated to some extent by the climate where you live. If you live in a very warm climate with mild winters, then you might be able to simply use space heaters when the weather is chilly. Of course, for many woodworkers who live in less temperate climates this is not a reasonable option. For colder regions, it's a good idea to consult with a heating, venting and air conditioning contractor, to determine what type of furnace or heating appliance will be best. The contractor will provide a recommendation after determining the size of your workshop and your budget.
Another heating option you should consider is radiant heating. This type of system does not involve a furnace or a portable heater. It uses panels or coils that are placed under the floor or along the baseboards or in the ceiling that send warm air throughout the room. Although a radiant system costs more to install than a furnace, it uses less energy so you might make up the initial cost over time with lower energy bills.
Cooling
To cool your workshop, one option is to use a portable air conditioner unit that sits on the floor, but these are typically only practical if you live in a climate with cool summers. Another option is to install a window air conditioner. These can work well in small spaces if the temperatures are not too high in the summer.
An excellent option for cooling almost any type of workshop is the mini-split system. This system consists of two units, one on the outside of the workshop and one inside. The indoor unit can be placed virtually anywhere in the workshop, so you can put it in a corner or up near the ceiling to ensure that it does not take up any valuable space and stays out of your way.
Clearly, you have a number of good options for heating and cooling your workshop throughout the year. To learn more about this issue, talk with an HVAC services contractor about what choices will work best in you situation.
