Air Conditioner in Woodshop

[Toneman]

I don't know if this subject should be here or in Coffee Shop, but, I need expert advice and opinions from you experienced scrollers and woodworkers. It is starting to get hot here in Texas and my little cabin I converted to a woodshop (10 x 20) is beginning to heat up. It has a window unit AC (in the wall), but, I have concerns about running it with the wood dust flying. I don't have a dust collector system, just a shop vac I connect to dust ports on the various tools as I use them. Will the dust cause the unit to clog up even if I keep the filter clean and also, would it be a fire hazard? I have 4 windows I keep open and a fan setting in the doorway and turbine mounted on roof to pull out air. Any advice and or opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tony,aka,Toneman

[BilltheDiver]

HI Tony,
It gets hot here in St Petersburg to.  I have a small window unit I use when ventilation just isn't enough.  Then I close the doors and crank it on.  I did insulate above the ceiling this year, which really helps.  Yes the unit does get clogged with sawdust, but I can't think how it would be a fire hazard.  Occasionally I remove the filter screen from the front, vacuum the front and follow up by blowing compressed air through the condensers.  You can really tell the difference in the air flow.  I had also thought about just using some duct tape to fasten a furnace filter to the front of the unit to see if that helped.  I also have no dust collection in my little shop.

[Rover2]

Hi Tony.  I have had a window AC unit in my shop in the past and it worked fine.  One of the first things I did when I opened my shop was to vacuum the filter and all dust from the AC unit before turning it on.  Depending on how much dust I was making, I would clean it every so often during the time I was working in the shop.  They will work fine but you have to keep the filter clean.  BilltheDiver's suggestion of blowing compressed air through the condesers is a great idea. I never did that but I can see where it would make a big difference. The AC filter does not catch all dust and there will always be some dust that will get caught in the coils etc.  I don't think you have to worry about it being a fire hazard.  Happy scrolling..Al

[Rapid Roger]

I've had a window air conditioner in my wood shop for the last 15 - 20 years and it just keeps going like the Energizer Bunny. In fact it is mounted in a window right next to my scroll saw! I live in South Central Kansas and it does get warm here too. Last summer was a real "so and so" especially. It lowers the temp about 20 - 25 degrees below the outside temp. and I have three windows, two walk doors and an overhead door.
Yes, you must clean or replace the filter from time to time but that is not a problem. I  cover mine with a large plastic bag on the outside and block the inside with newspapers in the winter. It gets cold here in the winter too. 
I say......

GO FOR IT!!!!

Rog


PS Mount it on the NORTH side of the shop if at all possible.

[Russ C]

Living here in Florida it gets warm so I have a large window type unit (30,000 btu) with heat and cool. It works great. Keep the filter clean and you won't have any problems. The is no fire hazard to worry about, no open flame. 

[scrollingdesigns]

I have a smaller shop area also, 10 x 12. I have a window unit but have not had a problem, just keep the filter clean. I did see a post somewhere, and I can't remember just where, maybe even on this blog, but it was a way to attach a furnace filter to a box fan. I believe they use a 20" x 20" filter and attach it to the intake side of the box fan. One case, it was mounted to the ceiling, another to a side wall or just sit it on the floor. Myself, I will probably leave mine on the floor. this is a inexpensive way to make a air filter for your shop area and should help reduce the number if times the AC filter needs cleaning.
Have a great day.