Heating for a studio 1300sqft

HappySnappy1977

HappySnappy1977

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Dean
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Hey guys,

I'm in my second year (and second winter) at my studio but this year I'll be spending a lot more time there and I needed some advice in heating. The studio is actually a large industrial space, over 3000sqft, but is split in two rooms. Most if my work will be done in the smaller of the two rooms which is split into a low key and a high key studio along with a few wallpapered walls and a little furniture. Basically it's not an empty room but it's not far off. It has concrete floors which at the moment is not carpeted, but will mostly be soon apart from the infinity wall area.

What would be the best way to heat thus kind of area? Would these bad boys do the trick...http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=230939124582&kw=230939124582

Cost is an issue and while I'm there myself doing product shots etc I'm happy to wrap up. The heating is mainly for clients (families, togs on group shoots) and models.

Thanks in advance for any advice any if you can give :-)

Dean
 
The problem with that type of heater is that you have to heat the whole space, the moving air also provides a bit of cooling effect on anything warm, like people, therefore reducing the benefit, they also produce a lot of noise and blow stuff over.

Assuming you are not wanting to install a proper heating system, you want something like this http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-devil-370sp-quartz-halogen-infra-red-he?da=1&TC=SRC-radiant+heater which only heat the people and not the air. They give a quick warm up and are very portable.
 
Without wishing to be pedantic its the volume not the sq footage that's important. What height ceilings do you have. Electric fan heaters are in my opinion ghastly, noisy, expensive to run and the place gets cold as soon as they are switched off.
 
Thanks for your advice. I have a couple of infra red heaters already and they are good for heating people but once you step out of their range your cold again.

It's interesting you mention that these fans are very blowy. That might actually be an added benefit as long as they work well enough to heat the area (and blow hair!!). I guess the alternative is a oil filled heater?

Cheers again,

Dean
 
MatBin said:
Without wishing to be pedantic its the volume not the sq footage that's important. What height ceilings do you have. Electric fan heaters are in my opinion ghastly, noisy, expensive to run and the place gets cold as soon as they are switched off.
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No it's not pedantic at all. You absolutely correct. They're about 3 1/2 meters. :-)
 
Just a little warning re. carpet...

You mention, it's an industrial space, so there's probably no insulation in the floor, and you risk drawing moisture up through the concrete...

If you place a piece of plastic on the floor and let it be for a couple of days, it will give you an indication of how much of a problem it may be...

To minimize the (eventual) problem, the room must be well ventilated and don't use a carpet with closed back - it must be "breathable"... if you get what I mean! :D


Btw. the nicest or most pleasant sort of heating always comes from below. You can get thin flooring with electric heating buildt-in...
 
Jan K. said:
Just a little warning re. carpet... You mention, it's an industrial space, so there's probably no insulation in the floor, and you risk drawing moisture up through the concrete... If you place a piece of plastic on the floor and let it be for a couple of days, it will give you an indication of how much of a problem it may be... To minimize the (eventual) problem, the room must be well ventilated and don't use a carpet with closed back - it must be "breathable"... if you get what I mean! :D Btw. the nicest or most pleasant sort of heating always comes from below. You can get thin flooring with electric heating buildt-in...
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I've painted the floor throughout but I will certainly check this out :-)

Chers
 
I think you need to construct insulated areas within the building. This can be stud partition or even Gazebo tent things that can be demounted and heated just for the shoot. Industrial units are crap to heat and were never designed for retaining heat in the first place so you will struggle to keep every area ambient at all times as the heat will dissipate through walls, floor and ceiling.
I would view the space as an area where you can create a 'set' that you can heat as required.
 
Propane rocket heaters work quite well , but again tend to be noisy . As suggested already trying to make an area that you could make a warm set maybe your best bet . Ceiling fans to blow the warm air down may also help . Seal up any drafts and insulate where possible .
 
Steve T said:
I think you need to construct insulated areas within the building. This can be stud partition or even Gazebo tent things that can be demounted and heated just for the shoot. Industrial units are crap to heat and were never designed for retaining heat in the first place so you will struggle to keep every area ambient at all times as the heat will dissipate through walls, floor and ceiling. I would view the space as an area where you can create a 'set' that you can heat as required.
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The area I'm looking to heat has offices above it. The main part of the studio (about 2000sqft) is completely open to the elements with large shutters on two sides. This has the benefit of allowing me to have cars / bikes in the studio (we have a Stingray in the studio with a model Thursday) but as there's a huge gap at the top of the shutters it's a nightmare to heat so as you say I just use this area to build sets.

The area I'm heating is separate and easier to heat but is still a PITA. I think I've pretty much dealt myself on two of these fans. I've insulated as much as I can and am confident that I'm not loosing a huge amount of heat.
 
I have a similar situation as my studio is a large converted Barn - lots of space to heat - the infrared heaters are great for when I'm sitting at my desk (the colourcast doesn't help with editing) but they work well as they only heat up me not the air.

Depending on how long your lease is you can fit a biomass boiler with fans that work on a heat exchange basis with hot water (which my landlord has just done) There are govt incentives that mean you get cheap heating and can even make a profit over time. (I believe there are also companies that will fund the installation of these if you sign over the "profit" to them.
 
Propane heaters are a bit of a health and safety nightmare - so check your insurance before trying that. Personally i like oil filled radiators - simple and relatively cheap.

Also if you don't need the high ceilings fitting a drop ceiling with insulation above is a good call
 
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