Heating /cooling source in pottery studio

[Martinja]

I am involved in a community pottery group. We are refurbishing our building and including insulation. I would like some opinion on the installation of a Split System (heating and cooling) in the studio. It was suggested to me that it may stir up too much dust. Are these safety concerns justifiable?

Thanks

[neilestrick]

No worse that any other forced air system. Follow basic cleaning guidelines (wet cleaning- mop, sponge, etc) and you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[oldlady]

martinja, do you have only a few members or are there people tracking floor dust all over all day?   keeping good cleaning working habits are the safest way to avoid dust.   add some containers to all areas and tables so small bits can be tossed into them instead of being brushed onto the floor by sleeves or other items.  put up signs and teach any new person exactly what you expect from users.   clay is easer to clean if it isn't there.

[Mark C.]

If you mean a mini split heat pump they are the way to go in most applications including yours.

As noted keeping the studio clean is top priority and the heat system does not matter.

[Piedmont Pottery]

I installed 2 mini splits in my kiln room and they work well.

[davidh4976]

For cooling, you don't have much choice except for a system that blows air.  Mini-splits work well.

[Bill Kielb]

On 11/27/2023 at 6:12 AM, Martinja said:

am involved in a community pottery group. We are refurbishing our building and including insulation. I would like some opinion on the installation of a Split System (heating and cooling) in the studio. It was suggested to me that it may stir up too much dust. Are these safety concerns justifiable?

 

Good question!  Split designation is really simple - Split usually means an air handling unit (generally a furnace that includes the blower for airflow)  which delivers conditioned air through ductwork and contains a source for heating and separate source for cooling. Often the heating part is built into the air handler and the cooling is added to it using an outdoor unit and refrigerant lines to an exchanger mounted inline with the furnace. This allows the common ductwork and blower to heat or cool the space. Split can be the other way as well so it could be a designated cooling unit with blower and a separate duct heater is added. The heating and cooling are split between two units but share the blower and ductwork so “Split system” is nothing special.

For larger spaces, generally a unitary piece of equipment or rooftop unit provides heating, cooling and airflow to overhead ductwork. This saves interior space because the equipment is on the roof and the ductwork is mounted overhead and not using valuable floor or wall space.

Both systems use airflow which will spread dust……. But  both can be designed with a high merv (efficiency) filter, so they can actually improve air quality and catch very small particles of dust. Without airflow, there is virtually no other easy way to do this, except separate air filters / air purifiers.

Mini splits are basically non ducted solutions with independent wall, floor or cassette units, their own small blower and a minimal filter not typically capable of real significant filtration so to speak so they can spread fine particles about. If the mini split has a heat pump outdoor unit it can provide heating and cooling. So mini splits are at a disadvantage with respect to helping clean the air significantly, but they don’t require ductwork.

Ok which one is best - proper insulation and air sealing first …… the knowledge of what size space and which is operationally most expensive, heating or cooling. In the Midwest of the US -:Heating costs more so high R values (minimizing energy loss) and good air sealing are the focus. In the southern US cooling is more important and while R value is still great, radiant barriers become extremely useful to reduce energy gains.

So after all that, it’s not overly complicated but first identify the size of the space and then the prevalent climate. Insulate best according to climate and install heating / cooling based on size, number of people, climate, budget etc…. Airflow can actually be a good thing and a rooftop unit is a great place to get fresh outdoor air - essential for a commercial space where folks gather and free cooling during periods when the outdoor air temp is cool.

It’s hard to give you the best answer other than find a local design professional that can help direct you if possible, even for insulation. Split, unitary, mini split are generally over used for public consumption and really have common sense origins but often sound more exotic than they are. Energy professionals try and fit the need in the best way practical and adhere to local fresh air requirements in new construction.

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by Bill Kielb

[Martinja]

Thanks to you all for your advice and encouragement. Julie