Any way to combat temp issues in attic?

L

Lackasham

Member
Hello all,

So I have a problem. I have most everything you need to grow, but where I currently live, the only reasonable place to do so is the attic. I know this is not ideal, as temperatures are essentially the same as outside. I have QBs and a great intake fan and I am willing to buy portable ac and heater to try and control temp in my tent with thermostat, but my question is, is this even worth it?

My plan was to set up my tent, then set up a small insulated space near the tent with the AC and heater and I would connect my intake to that space. Is this a viable idea? Or would it just be a waste of time and money?
 
Lordhooha

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
Lackasham said:
Hello all,

So I have a problem. I have most everything you need to grow, but where I currently live, the only reasonable place to do so is the attic. I know this is not ideal, as temperatures are essentially the same as outside. I have QBs and a great intake fan and I am willing to buy portable ac and heater to try and control temp in my tent with thermostat, but my question is, is this even worth it?

My plan was to set up my tent, then set up a small insulated space near the tent with the AC and heater and I would connect my intake to that space. Is this a viable idea? Or would it just be a waste of time and money?
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Attic temps can get much hotter than outside so be careful. And dont hook a fan up to you HVAC system pushing air into or pulling air out of there. I'd invest in a good heating and cooling setup.
 
L

Lackasham

Member
pulpoinspace said:
what sort of climate do you live in?
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I live in the south so winters may be ok but it will be hot and humid during summer. May find a way to not grow then and get all I need in the winter
Lordhooha said:
Attic temps can get much hotter than outside so be careful. And dont hook a fan up to you HVAC system pushing air into or pulling air out of there. I'd invest in a good heating and cooling setup.
Click to expand...
Defintely will get hotter. The plan was create a small space that is insulated, a little room with a portable ac and heater attached to a thermostat inside the tent and essentsially be pulling air from that little room. Is this a viable plan?
 
pulpoinspace

pulpoinspace

Well-Known Member
Lackasham said:
I live in the south so winters may be ok but it will be hot and humid during summer. May find a way to not grow then and get all I need in the winter
Click to expand...
not a bad idea. the cost of growing for me more than doubles if I have to run my AC so i shut down in the hottest summer months.

i've never ran a closed system which is what it sounds like you'd need to do, so i dont have much experience with that.
 
raratt

raratt

Well-Known Member
A lot of the heat gain in an attic is from thermal radiation which can be reduced by using the reflective "bubble wrap" type thermal barrier tacked to the underneath of the roof rafters. You can look up the proper installation method. There will still need to be a space at the ridge to let the heated air escape, but it is easier to vent that somewhere else. Where I live we regularly see temps above 100 for a week or two at a time. I also installed turbine vents in my attic to reduce the heat and ensured the soffit vents were large enough and clear of obstructions. We don't get very cold winters, and you would loose any benefit of thermal heat gain in the winter, however this might help with one of the problems. I also use a portable swamp cooler with ice that keeps the temps moderated unless it gets very hot.
 
L

Lackasham

Member
raratt said:
A lot of the heat gain in an attic is from thermal radiation which can be reduced by using the reflective "bubble wrap" type thermal barrier tacked to the underneath of the roof rafters. You can look up the proper installation method. There will still need to be a space at the ridge to let the heated air escape, but it is easier to vent that somewhere else. Where I live we regularly see temps above 100 for a week or two at a time. I also installed turbine vents in my attic to reduce the heat and ensured the soffit vents were large enough and clear of obstructions. We don't get very cold winters, and you would loose any benefit of thermal heat gain in the winter, however this might help with one of the problems. I also use a portable swamp cooler with ice that keeps the temps moderated unless it gets very hot.
Click to expand...
great tips in here thank you!

pulpoinspace said:
not a bad idea. the cost of growing for me more than doubles if I have to run my AC so i shut down in the hottest summer months.

i've never ran a closed system which is what it sounds like you'd need to do, so i dont have much experience with that.
Click to expand...
i actually don't wan't to run a closed system i still want it to be essentially passive intake with an exhaust fan. Intake is ducted to a insulated room that pulls fresh air from downstairs and has a portable ac and heater in ut though this may not work and is simply an idea.
 
Lordhooha

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
Lackasham said:
I live in the south so winters may be ok but it will be hot and humid during summer. May find a way to not grow then and get all I need in the winter


Defintely will get hotter. The plan was create a small space that is insulated, a little room with a portable ac and heater attached to a thermostat inside the tent and essentsially be pulling air from that little room. Is this a viable plan?
Click to expand...
I used to live in Louisiana so I know all about southern summers. It’s going to run constantly for ac up there winter you’ll be golden. But have you measured the temp in the attic during summer?
 
L

Lackasham

Member
Lordhooha said:
I used to live in Louisiana so I know all about southern summers. It’s going to run constantly for ac up there winter you’ll be golden. But have you measured the temp in the attic during summer?
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Mississippi here so we are in the same boat haha but last time my thermometer was up there was mid june and it was hitting 90 max which isnt terrible but i assume it just got worse.
 
Lordhooha

Lordhooha

Well-Known Member
Lackasham said:
Mississippi here so we are in the same boat haha but last time my thermometer was up there was mid june and it was hitting 90 max which isnt terrible but i assume it just got worse.
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I’ve seen temps around 120+ easy. When I was younger I work help my dad redo houses and have been in many attics.
 
L

Lackasham

Member
Lordhooha said:
I’ve seen temps around 120+ easy. When I was younger I work help my dad redo houses and have been in many attics.
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And I'm sure mine gets just as hot. Probably best off just avoiding that all together and plan on doing everything in 8 months or so
 
raratt

raratt

Well-Known Member
After seeing where you are located a swamp cooler won't help much, it works here because it is relatively dry.
 
L

Lackasham

Member
raratt said:
After seeing where you are located a swamp cooler won't help much, it works here because it is relatively dry.
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yes humidity is another issue. Still trying to come up with some sort of ac system that won't need a closed set up for those days it gets a little hotter than it should.
 
coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
Lackasham said:
yes humidity is another issue. Still trying to come up with some sort of ac system that won't need a closed set up for those days it gets a little hotter than it should.
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I looked up your local temps, google says 27 ish and not much lower at night.
With a good extractor going outside and a good one coming in from outside you can keep temps at a few degrees above the ambient which will work. Humidity is another issue .

What wattage lighting and space are you planning?
 
L

Lackasham

Member
coreywebster said:
I looked up your local temps, google says 27 ish and not much lower at night.
With a good extractor going outside and a good one coming in from outside you can keep temps at a few degrees above the ambient which will work. Humidity is another issue .

What wattage lighting and space are you planning?
Click to expand...
2 QB 288s on meanwell 240. 2x4 tent
 
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