Capannone climatizzato:trasforma il tuo capanno in un rifugio nel cortile

Un capannone climatizzato è una benedizione! Hai un capannone nel tuo cortile che ospita i tuoi attrezzi da giardinaggio e le griglie per barbecue? O forse l'hai convertito in uno spazio in cui archiviare tutte le tue vecchie foto, apparecchiature elettroniche e vernici. Certo, i capannoni possono essere un'ottima area di stoccaggio, ma non è tutto ciò che hanno da offrire.

A seconda delle tue esigenze, un capannone può essere utilizzato come stanza di coltivazione, ufficio, area studio, arte, camera degli ospiti, angolo lettura o semplicemente un luogo per rilassarsi e uscire con gli amici.

Convertire il tuo capanno in uno spazio vivibile non significa solo ripulire il disordine e concentrarsi sull'arredamento. È necessario prestare attenzione anche al clima esterno, considerando che la maggior parte dei capannoni non è completamente isolata e non dispone di adeguati sistemi di raffreddamento/riscaldamento. Pertanto, sono significativamente influenzati da condizioni climatiche estreme. La forte luce solare in estate lo renderà molto caldo, mentre farà un freddo insopportabile negli inverni. Il risultato:non potrai mai rilassarti nel tuo capanno appena trasformato.

Quindi, come rendi il tuo capannone confortevole e in cui valga la pena passare un bel po' di tempo?

Installare un condizionatore o un riscaldamento nel tuo capannone è la chiave.

Come climatizzare un capannone:unità AC per capannoni di piccole dimensioni

La maggior parte dei capannoni si trova a una certa distanza dalla tua casa principale e non si collega al sistema HVAC centrale. Sarebbe molto complicato estendere la connessione, per non parlare del pesante costo della manodopera.

In questo scenario, l'opzione migliore è installare unità AC senza condotto come mini-split, finestra o AC portatile. Queste unità non richiedono procedure di installazione estese come l'aria condizionata centralizzata e quindi sono perfette per climatizzare un capannone. Inoltre, alcune pompe di calore senza condotto forniscono sia riscaldamento che raffrescamento, il che le rende ideali per il comfort tutto l'anno.

Mini split AC senza condotto

Se stai cercando un condizionatore per un capannone che sia altamente efficiente, poco ingombrante e non richieda ristrutturazioni, un mini split è la scelta perfetta.

I condizionatori d'aria mini-split senza condotto hanno due unità. L'unità interna fa circolare l'aria fresca all'interno del capannone, mentre l'unità esterna espelle l'aria calda e viziata. Il processo di installazione richiede la perforazione di un foro da tre pollici nel muro per collegare le due unità.

I mini-split sono più efficienti dal punto di vista energetico in quanto forniscono aria direttamente dall'unità all'area focalizzata, eliminando la perdita di calore. Sono anche notevolmente più silenziose rispetto ad altre unità, il che è un vantaggio, soprattutto se si utilizza il capannone per il relax o il lavoro d'ufficio.

Sebbene i mini-split siano più costosi di altre opzioni senza condotto, le loro caratteristiche avanzate ti fanno risparmiare abbastanza nel lungo periodo.

Finestra AC per un capannone

Se il tuo capannone ha finestre che non ti dispiace ostruire, puoi optare per un condizionatore a finestra. È progettato per raffreddare un singolo spazio e può creare un perfetto condizionatore a capannone.

Gli AC Window sono economici, molto semplici da installare e utilizzare e possono durare a lungo con le normali messe a punto AC. Puoi anche ottenerne uno integrato con un'opzione di riscaldamento, ma sono un po' costosi.

Prima di andare a caccia di una finestra AC per il tuo capannone, ci sono alcuni fattori che dovresti considerare:

• Tipo di finestra – Se hai una finestra scorrevole nel tuo capannone, non puoi installare un condizionatore d'aria a finestra. Una finestra a doppio battente è la più adatta per questo tipo di AC.
• Dimensioni capannone – Un'unità troppo grande o piccola non sarà in grado di funzionare correttamente. Hai bisogno di 20 BTU per ogni metro quadrato dell'area. Per calcolare la dimensione, trova la lunghezza e la larghezza del capannone e moltiplicale per ottenere l'area.
• Orientamento della finestra – Una finestra esposta a sud o a ovest otterrebbe la luce solare diretta, ostacolando il funzionamento dell'unità dell'aria condizionata. Se hai una finestra rivolta a nord o a est, sarebbe perfetto. Tuttavia, puoi prendere delle misure e coprire il tuo serramento per proteggerlo dalla luce diretta o da altri cambiamenti atmosferici come la pioggia.

Lo svantaggio di una finestra AC è che può essere rumorosa e potrebbe non sembrare molto esteticamente gradevole. Ovviamente blocca anche la tua finestra, quindi se hai bisogno di aprirla per qualsiasi motivo, dovrai estrarre la finestra.

Potresti dare un'occhiata a questa guida dettagliata su come installare una finestra AC.

Condizionatori d'aria Through the Wall

I condizionatori d'aria a parete sono una vista comune in un unico spazio in quanto offrono la giusta quantità di comfort necessaria in una piccola area. Sono abbastanza simili agli AC a finestra e puoi optare per uno se il tuo capannone non ha una finestra. They are an excellent alternative to window units if you plan to use your windows for ventilation or simply do not want to block the view.

Through-the-wall-AC is installed in an exterior wall and requires making an opening that is wide enough to fit the unit in the wall. It is more energy-efficient than a window unit due to its installation method. Cool/hot air tends to escape from the leaks and gaps in the window, while this is not often the case with through-the-wall-ACs.

It can be the same or a little pricier than the window unit as far as cost is concerned. If you are going for professional installation, it’s also going to cost more, considering it requires boring a hole in the wall.

Another downside is that the hole requires proper insulation; otherwise, your air-conditioned shed will be exposed to drafts. But if you take care of these factors, it can be a decent option for your shed.

Portable AC Unit for Sheds

A portable air conditioner is a free-standing floor unit with wheels that you can move around anywhere. While it is movable, you need to make sure there is space to eject the hose outdoors. Portable units follow the same cooling/heating pattern as other air conditioners. It takes in warm air and ejects it using an exhaust hose.

There are two types of portable ACs:

• Single Hose Portable AC :It has only one hose that expels the moisture and heat outside. It is lower in cost and only suitable for small spaces.
• Double-Hose Portable AC :It has two hoses, one to exhaust the heat outside and the other to draw in the fresh air. It is more efficient and can be used for larger areas.

Some models also have a heating capacity, which is convenient to fulfill your shed’s needs all year round.

The disadvantage is that portable ACs have limited cooling capacity, can be noisy, and require holes for the hoses. If you have windows, that won’t be a problem, but otherwise, you will have to drill a hole in the wall to let the exhaust hose out.

Heating a Shed With a Space Heater

Space heaters can warm up closed spaces such as your shed in a cost-effective way. They can quickly heat small areas and provide spot heating to add a cozy touch just where required.

Space heaters work by circulating the hot air in the room. Some types also work by emitting infrared radiation.

Every year, 25,000 residential fires are associated with the use of space heaters, as estimated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. So, when using a space heater for your shed, do take into account these safety guidelines:

• Space heaters are either vented or non-vented. Do not buy the non-vented ones as they can introduce carbon monoxide into the air.
• Only purchase space heaters with the latest safety features and ensure that it has the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label.
• For liquid-fueled heaters, only use the approved fuel and never use gasoline.
• Have space heaters inspected by a professional every year.

A smart space heater is a safe option. It comes with a sensor that can detect carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide levels and ensure they don’t exceed the acceptable range.

Maintaining the Perfect Climate in Your Air-Conditioned Shed

Be it a reading corner or an art studio, your shed has to be comfortable at all times, and it starts with maintaining the right temperature. Smart air conditioning can add intelligent features to your shed’s ductless AC and automate the climate.

You can either opt for a smart air conditioner or couple any ductless AC with a smart AC controller to automate your shed’s climate.

In addition to temperature regulation, smart AC controllers come with various features to maintain a perfect environment inside your shed.

• Scheduling – If you plan on using the shed as your home office, maintaining the ideal temperature is essential as it can affect your productivity levels. You can set weekly schedules on your smart controller to achieve your preferred settings. This means your shed will be precooled before you arrive, and the AC will automatically switch off during lunch or off-hours.
• Global Control – Thanks to the global control feature in smart AC controllers, you can control your AC from anywhere in the world. It’s a pretty convenient option if you want to leave your kids to play in the shed for some time or have pets in the shed that need a relaxing environment. You can ensure their comfort by controlling the settings from your smartphone.
• Comfy Mode – Cielo Breez smart controllers have a Comfy Mode feature that uses intelligent triggers to make adjustments based on your desired settings automatically. For example, if you want the temperature to stay between 70-72 degrees, Comfy Mode will turn your AC on/off if the temperature falls below 70 or goes above 72. You can also manage humidity levels utilizing this feature.
• Smart Home Integration – You can connect your smart AC controller with Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings for complete hands-off temperature control in your shed.
• Energy Savings – Installing an extra air conditioner in your shed can lead to increased energy bills. But a smart controller can help you eliminate the constant worry of high AC bills. Cielo Breez smart controller, for instance, can help you save up to 25% energy. It keeps track of your usage patterns; you can view daily, weekly, or monthly usage stats to manage your energy consumption better.

Upgrades to Consider Before Installing an AC Unit for a Shed

While installing an AC unit for your shed is the ultimate solution to achieve your desired temperature, it can require a little help to work at its best.

Upgrades such as insulation and taking care of indoor air quality and humidity levels can make a huge difference in making your shed much more comfortable to be in.

Even if you want to use the shed just for storage, these upgrades will help protect your things as storage items can get affected by fluctuating temperature and humidity levels. Pests and molds can damage clothing materials. Weather changes can cause the wood furniture to split or even break beyond repair. Poor storage conditions can also affect the consistency and color of the leftover paint.

Insulating Your Shed

If conditioned air keeps escaping through gaps and cracks, your AC will have a hard time maintaining your desired temperature in the shed. This can also place a dent in your energy bills.

Insulation slows down heat transfer, helping to maintain a perfect climate all year round. Insulation also helps in keeping the pest and pollutants out of your shed. Moreover, to provide you with a relaxing atmosphere, some insulation materials also soundproof your shed.

To achieve the ideal climate in your shed with air conditioning:

• Opt for Window Insulation – Caulk the holes and gaps in the window. Use weather stripping to seal the windows and put a window film on the glass panes.
• Insulate Interior &Exterior Walls – Fiberglass foam insulation is a suitable type of insulation for the walls. Use spray foam insulation or blown-in insulation for exposed wall cavities.
• Insulate the Doors – A leaky door can let the cool air escape. To avoid that, caulk the gaps around the door and apply weather-stripping to the sides of the door. Finish by placing the door sweep at the bottom to seal the crack.
• Insulate the Ceiling &Floor – Use loose-fill or blown-in insulation to cover the whole ceiling. For floor insulation, use rigid foam insulation and plywood sheets to cover the floor and seal it with paint or epoxy.

If you are looking for a detailed guide on home insulation, read this article.

Indoor Air Quality

Paying close attention to indoor air quality can go a long way in ensuring your comfort in your air conditioned shed.

Using your shed as a workshop or storage space can lead to the accumulation of dirt and debris over time. Further, high humidity can cause mold and bacteria growth. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde are released from paints, cleaning products, markers, adhesives. These indoor air pollutants can be highly irritating and can cause a variety of health problems.

Some ways to remove air pollutants from your shed include:

• Using an Air Purifier – It can be a great source of comfort, especially if you suffer from allergies. The air purifier has various types of filters to remove a wide range of indoor pollutants. Carbon-activated filters are used to remove harmful gases from the air. A UV light air purifiers use ultraviolet light to remove mold, bacteria, and viruses.
• Improving Ventilation – Opening windows can help remove the stale air from the shed and bring the fresh air in. You can also install an exhaust fan to keep fresh air circulating in the space.
• Vacuuming Regularly – Vacuuming can help if you have carpets in your shed as pollutants settle on them. When cleaning, slow down the speed so that the contaminants don’t escape in the air.
• Avoiding VOC Products – Use paints and cleaners that are labeled as ‘No VOC.’ Also, if you plan to use the shed as a gym, home office, or any other activity, do not store the paint indoors. Unused paint lying around can emit dangerous, volatile compounds.

Controlling Moisture in Your Shed

In addition to improving indoor air quality and insulation, moisture control is also important to make your shed usable. It prevents mold growth, makes your insulation more effective, and increases the efficiency of your air conditioning.

Excess moisture causes a feeling of stickiness and discomfort, making spending time in the shed almost unbearable. Besides, it can trigger allergy symptoms, cause nasal congestion, and make asthma symptoms worse.

Even if you are using the shed just for storage, high humidity levels can harm your items.

To avoid any damage, consider:

• Installing Storm Doors &Windows – They can help minimize condensation on these surfaces by keeping the moist air out.
• Ventilation – It helps to keep the air flowing in the shed. You can open the doors or windows at night to let the cool air in.
• Using a Dehumidifier – It is the best option to achieve ideal humidity levels. You can also make it smart by connecting it with smart thermostats or smart AC controllers for automated controls.
• Installing an Air Conditioner – Since ACs cool the air by removing moisture, it can also be effective for moisture control. However, keep in mind that it won’t remove enough moisture from the air to keep your shed comfortable in high humid areas. For additional information, you can also check our post on ‘Dehumidifier vs. Air Conditioner:Which Is Better?‘

Regardless of how you plan on using your shed, adding a heating/cooling device allows you to have a comfortable space all year long. And to take your comfort to the next level, don’t forget to automate your air-conditioned shed with smart climate controls from Cielo Breez!