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Building a reptile facility and need advice!

SnakeEyesExotics

SnakeEyesExotics

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We are starting construction on our new reptile facility today or tomorrow, and I am needing some advice on heating and cooling it. So far, we have considered combo heat/air units, swamp coolers (I think that's what they are called), oil filled radiator heaters, and heat pumps. Up front cost is not as important as overall savings on utility bills. So pretty much, what would be the most energy efficient option?

The building will be 20x28 and will be divided into two rooms: the main room (for snakes) will be 20x21, and the second room (for rodents) will be 20x7. There will be one window in the rodent room and two windows in the snake room. Each room will also have an exhaust fan.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Anya Hogan
 
Thanks Tyler! I am excited about it, just really anxious at the same time. :ack2: I will feel better when we get it finished and move everybody in. Then I might actually be able to sleep again! :D


Anya
 
russianbaby007 said:
Up front cost is not as important as overall savings on utility bills.
Click to expand...

If this is true, you should spend the money on a consulting mechanical engineer, specifically one with experience in LEED or energy-efficient design. It will go a lot further than any advice you might get on a reptile forum.

Even the location ans site orientation of the building will have an effect on the utility bills due to the varying shading and solar radiation.
 
russianbaby007 said:
Up front cost is not as important as overall savings on utility bills.
Click to expand...

If this is true, you should spend the money on a consulting mechanical engineer, specifically one with experience in LEED or energy-efficient design. It will go a lot further than any advice you might get on a reptile forum.

Even the location and site orientation of the building will have an effect on the utility bills due to the varying shading and solar radiation.
 
snakewrangler is right about that, too--positioning of the building, shape of the building and insulation can have a huge impact. If you're converting an existing building, adding really GOOD insulation will save you a bundle in the long run.
 
It will be a new construction. It is in the shadiest part of our yard. The contractor that is building it builds houses for a living, so he is knowledgeable about energy efficiency. I'm not sure about the radiant floor heat though. Couldn't that cause the cages that are lowest to the floor to possibly get too warm?

By the way, Donna, I liked that link. I never dreamed that you could put a heating element in a ceiling fan. That sure is nifty....(the gears are turnin!)

Thanks guys!
Anya
 
Anya... when I built my brumation house... I put R-13 insulation in the floor. Might be something to consider while your building. I will help keep the floor warmer and the heating costs down.
 
I instal HVAC and have done some super effecient houses. The best advice I can offer you is to research your areas hvac companies to find a reliable company. The best mfgs are carrier and trane there are other mfgs but these are the best at high seer equipment. The HVAC company would be able to give the best advice on the type ie heat pump, geo thermal, gas, etc. I dont know your climate, but if you have milder winters where the average is above 32 the I would recommend a heat pump. But really the most IMPORTANT thing I ca tell you is look around and find a good company to instal what ever you get because the design and installation is just as if not more important than what kind of system you put in. Hope that helps.
 
We were also thinking of a combination of radiant floor heat and the ceiling fan heaters for ours. The radiant floor heat is thermostat-controlled, so you can set it at a safe temperature, and it won't overheat your lower bins on your racks--it will keep them from getting chilled compared with the top bins. The ceiling fan heaters are reported to produce very even heat throughout the room, which is going to be important. We're going to tile (or at least use vinyl) on the entire place, floor, walls, and ceiling, with moisture barriers backing it all, so we can keep the room humidity very high without risking mold in the walls. (It also makes cleaning and disinfecting a lot easier).
 
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