Heat Concerns

[stemarmel]

If im running four 600 watt HPS in a sealed room in the basement with an exhaust through a carbon filter will it be necessary for me to cool the room with AC?? Or will running a passive air intake be sufficient for maintaining a cool enough temperature in my room?? I am a new grower and I want to incorporate as little electrical components as possible when controlling my environment in the room therefore id prefer if I could get away with not using AC and just using fans instead. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[eighty9concentr]

What is the size of your room? How high are the ceilings? Are your lights air cooled? A sealed room technically doesn't exchange any fresh air from the out side and a co2 burner is used. It all depends on where you live and what your temperatures are outside. If you were to run a true sealed room you would definitely need to use an AC.

 

[stemarmel]

Ok I defintely don't want to use a co2 burner on my first go I'm still a beginner. Maybe sealed isn't the way to go. I've never set up an intake/exhaust system before. The more info you could give me the better. My room is 10ft x 11ft x 7 ft high. I haven't purchasd lights yet so I'm guessing air cooled is the way to go. I'm still constructing my grow room. Thanks friend much appreciated

 

[mowood3479]

also other variables that will matter are outside ambient air temps when lights will be running.. Take into account that no matter how much fresh air u pull into the room u won't be able to get lower than the ambient air temp..
In winter where I live I could cool a room like ur describing with one 8" exhaust fan with a 6" intake fan no air cooling of lights needed..
In summer it would be a battle no matter the amount of air exchange due to much much higher ambient air temps.. 70's summer.. 0-20 in winter.
Good luck ur in the right spot for getting the knowledge U'll need

 

[mowood3479]

I also highly recommend a simple thermostat that can turn fans on when a set temp is reached in the room (I use 79f) thus cooling the room. They r only $75 mayb cheaper nowadays n invaluable in dialing In a room to changing conditions.

 

[Mikell]

Definitely give an eyeball to the stickies in this subforum. Good advice of a though.

 

[eighty9concentr]

with 7' ceilings i would definitely go with air cooled hoods. What is your out side temperature during the night? I live in a hot climate so i run all my rooms during the night just to pull the coolest air as possible through my lights.

As for the intake exhaust, put the exhaust up high in the room by the ceiling and the intake lower. That way your blowing fresh cooler air down low and heat rises so your exhausting the hottest part of your room by pulling the air that is at your ceiling hight. Put some sort of filter on your intake (i use a dust shroom) and if smell is an issue put a carbon filter on your exhaust to neutralize any odors.

For my filters is like can-filters and for intake/exhaust fans or fans to cool your lights, i like can-fan max-fan. The 14" is a great fan, its so quiet you can barley hear it and it moves a ton of air. Its way quieter than the 10" and 12"

 

[eighty9concentr]

If you start off with air cooled hoods you will be step ahead of the game when you decide to upgrade and start running co2. All you will need to buy is a AC and a co2 burner and you will be in business!

 

[nukklehead]

Wow..

How many grows do you have under your belt..??

If not very many............ k.i.s.s.....look it up..

Been running a 1K( open hood with small fan ) in basement for years with passive intake
(film development louvers) and 6 inch exhaust fan and done well.

Not saying you cant jack it up and do better....

Have a bedroom in the basement so keep ambient temps between
65-75 degrees year round.. No need for C02 or sealed room.

i think some of the advice you have gotten here is a little advanced
if you dont have more experience.. ( no insult intended.. just dont know)...

Just saying dial in your growing environment, dial in your growing method (hydro, dwc, soil, coco.. whatever).. then lets talk about
C02 and A/C....

If you have to ( like I did starting out) only grow in climatic times.. i.e spring and fall until you get the environment nailed down..

I admire your motivation but please read a little more before you jump into things... you will just waste money and be back on these boards asking more questions with more variables to work out..

go ahead and burn me green horns..

NUK

 

[eighty9concentr]

imo, the easiest way to dial your room in is a sealed room with ac on a thermostat, couple dehums, and co2 on a atlas 1 controller. If you have the money to drop, thats the way to go. You can have your environment dialed 100% and it will be automated. Instead of trying to get your environment right and figuring out your medium/method/fertilizer at the same time. When your room isn't sealed your at the mercy of what the environment is outside and that will determine what it is in your room. My first room was done this way in a 10x20 8k and I'm so glad i spent the extra money. I wouldn't be able to run a room any other way though where i live because it is so hot. It hits 115 in the summer, i would only be able to run it in the winter. I would be screwed with out a sealed room! No basements out here in Cali either.

Like i said this is just my opinion, not trying to offend any one in any way. Theres a million ways to do things and most of them work well. This is just my experience and what works for me.

 

[nukklehead]

imo, the easiest way to dial your room in is a sealed room with ac on a thermostat, couple dehums, and co2 on a atlas 1 controller. If you have the money to drop, thats the way to go. You can have your environment dialed 100% and it will be automated. Instead of trying to get your environment right and figuring out your medium/method/fertilizer at the same time. When your room isn't sealed your at the mercy of what the environment is outside and that will determine what it is in your room. My first room was done this way in a 10x20 8k and I'm so glad i spent the extra money. I wouldn't be able to run a room any other way though where i live because it is so hot. It hits 115 in the summer, i would only be able to run it in the winter. I would be screwed with out a sealed room! No basements out here in Cali either.

Like i said this is just my opinion, not trying to offend any one in any way. Theres a million ways to do things and most of them work well. This is just my experience and what works for me.

I agree with above.... 8k 10x20 room california, no basement, hits 115..lots of $ good job..

Original post 600w in basement, trying not to use too much electricity i.e $.......if ambient temps in basement are 65-82 degrees and you a have enough airflow no need to modify temps in grow room. Just some good exhaust.... best basement grow times are
March to mid june and late august to november... very little modification in temp needed if basement is of ambient temps.

I like to grow in winter months too but need the assistance of a space heater... With just 600 watts going... take your time..
Respect eightynine there is a million ways to filet a fish....
Most basements are in midwest or east and we luckily dont require
the usage of A/C if we play it smart...