Barndominiums are excellent alternatives to conventional housing. They are among the most versatile and cost-effective solutions making them a popular choice among prospective homeowners. However, a common question arises on how to regulate the temperature of a barndominium home.
In the hot summer, you will want to cool down your home to escape the sun’s scorching heat. Conversely, you will want to turn on the heating on cold winter evenings for a warm and cozy home. In this article, we will go over several ways to cool and heat your barndo.
Table of Contents
Is It Hard to Heat and Cool a Barndominium?
No. Heating and cooling systems have come a long way. There are different types of heating and cooling systems you can install in your barndominium home. However, some are more efficient than others. We will discuss this in the following parts of the article. By going over different heating and cooling methods, you should have a good idea of the best type of heat source and cooling system to install for your barndominium home.
If you want additional information on these types of homes, we compiled everything in a single barndominium guide.
How are Barndominiums Heated and Cooled?
Heating Methods
1. Heat Pumps
This system is also known as a forced-air system. It uses air ducts and vents to distribute warm air throughout a barndominium home. A heat source heats the air before it is pumped out of the vents. Heat pumps are a highly effective way to heat your home. Installation costs, however, can be high and affect the barndominium cost if you build the house from the ground up. For warmer weather, the air pump can reverse its flow to extract warm air from your barndominium.
2. Furnace
A furnace is a common heating method for its simplicity. They aren’t known to be as efficient as heat pumps, but they are a great affordable alternative. Furnaces work by heating air using natural gas or electricity. The heated air is then pumped through air ducts throughout the house. Modern gas-powered furnaces have become energy-efficient. This can help reduce your utility bills.
3. Radiant Heating Systems
With radiant heating systems, the heat is transferred through thermal heat transfer, unlike heat pumps and furnaces that use air ducts. This makes them an efficient method of heating your home because there is no heat loss through air ducts. Heating elements can be installed on the floors, walls, or ceiling. Floor heating systems are common for barndominiums. The concrete floor radiates heat throughout the house and keeps it warm. Typical radiant heating systems generate heat using electricity, hot water, or heated air.
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4. Wood-Burning Stoves and Fireplaces
Wood burning stoves and fireplaces generate heat by burning wood. This method is only effective for a specific spot in a barndominium, typically the living room. It is recommended that these methods are used as a secondary source of heat which supplements previously mentioned ways of heating. Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are an excellent cost-effective way to heat your home. However, you must periodically tend to stoves and fireplaces to stoke the fire.
Cooling Methods
5. Insulation
Proper barndominium insulation is crucial in keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Insulation ensures outdoor heat stays outside. It also helps keep cool air inside your home. With insulation, you end up with a more comfortable home and fewer energy bills.
6. Roof Ventilation
Adequate roof ventilation is important in keeping your barndominium cool. Hot air rises, and you need to give it a way to escape. There are several roof vents you can use depending on your roof type. For a gable roof, ridge vents and gable vents effectively ensure that the roof is well-ventilated.
7. Airflow
There are several ways to ensure your barndominium is optimized for airflow. For example, you can implement open layouts in common areas for the best airflow when designing a custom floor plan. Barndominiums are perfect for open floor plans because these types of structures don’t need load-bearing walls.
Another way is by using ceiling fans in your barndominium. Barndo homes with high ceilings are perfect to be fitted with HVLS (High Volume, Low Speed) ceiling fans. This maximizes airflow as they move a huge volume of air steadily.
8. Room Air Conditioners
Room air conditioners can be installed quite easily. You can also get them at a low price. This makes them a great way to cool specific spots in your barndo home, like a bedroom or an office. However, they won’t be able to cool your entire barndominium.
9. HVAC System
Installing an efficient air conditioning unit can be the most effective way to cool your home. The conditioned air can be pushed through the same air ducts the home’s heating system uses. Your barndominium will stay cool under the summer sun with proper airflow and insulation.
Tips to Use When Heating and Cooling a Barndominium?
To give you an overview of what we have covered so far, below are some tips to ensure comfort and energy efficiency when heating and cooling your barndominium.
- Proper Insulation – Make sure your home is properly insulated with the right materials in the walls, roof, and floors. Insulation is a crucial component in the energy efficiency of your home.
- The Right HVAC System – Choosing the proper heating and cooling system will depend on your local climate and the size of your barndominium. You can refer to the list of heating and cooling methods above when making this decision.
- Use Window Coverings – Blinds and curtains are great for keeping your home cool in the summer by blocking sunlight from entering your home. Conversely, keeping them open in the winter will let sunlight in to help keep the inside warm. You can check out our Instagram Page to look into other people’s ideas on window coverings and other interior design elements in a barndo.
- Open Floor Plans – Open floor plans offer several advantages. Aside from better utilization of space, an open floor plan also significantly improves the airflow in your home. It also allows natural light, reducing the need for indoor lighting.
- Ceiling Fans – Consider using ceiling fans to improve airflow even further. Fans circulate air within your home. In the summer, you can have it push warm air upwards, allowing cool air in the room. In the winter, you can reverse the direction and push warm air from the ceiling downwards.
- Seal Air Leaks – Drafts can significantly affect the temperature of your home and the efficiency of its heating and cooling system. Seal drafts around doors, windows, power outlets, and any other openings to prevent air leaks.
- A Programmable Thermostat – A programmable thermostat is a great way to save money on energy bills. This automates temperature adjustments so your HVAC system doesn’t work as hard when it doesn’t need to. An example is when you are asleep or when no one is home.
- Alternative Heating Sources – If you live in cold climates, alternative heating sources like a wood-burning stove or a fireplace are an excellent way to supplement your primary heating system. This helps keep your energy bills down.
For additional tips, you can join our Facebook Group, where you can ask for recommendations from other members who own barndominium homes.
Conclusion
Proper heating and cooling in a barndominium are essential for creating a comfortable and energy-efficient living space. With all the information and tips you got from this article, your home can maintain a comfortable temperature all year-round while keeping bills low.
For more barndominium content, you can check out our Pinterest Page, where various posts about alternative housing solutions are posted.
