So I'm looking to upgrade my room to include CO2 supplementation. Grow info: Closet, 8x4x7 (HxWxD, feet). Currently using exhaust to attic for cooling (exhaust intake from open end of a blockbuster hood), but want to just vent light into attic (pull AND exhaust heat from/into attic), thus sealing the room. Passive intake (currently) is the bottom of the closet door which is roughly equivalent to a 5 inch diameter hole. To control temperature, I think a portable AC is my best option. I would vent hot air from conditioner into the attic, and not exchange the air in my grow room at all. I am worried about the AC cycling too frequently. The lowest BTU I can find is 9000, which will cool that small of a room very fast (too fast?). I'm worried about the temperature swinging too rapidly and the air conditioner running like 50% of the time. I am aware that, having a sealed room, I have to worry about humidity. While the AC might take care of some or all of these needs, I'd probably buy a dehumidifier as well which would be controlled by a sentinel controller. Any problems with not venting the room ever w/ co2 supplementation beyond the humidity and temps? Opinions on cooling options? Thanks in advance for any replies. Trying to get this system set up ASAP to benefit my current grow (2 weeks flowering, soil). Planning on switching to coco next grow.
Most portable AC units have dehumidifiers built into them. So there shouldn't be a need to buy both. As far as an air conditioner cycling too quickly, just get one that cools to the desired temp and then it will cycle off. I don't see why having it cool "too" fast would be a problem. It would use less electricity because it won't be constantly running. My advice would be to get a portable AC that humidifies and is programmable. That should take care of all of your needs. What kind of lighting are you using?
1000w HPS on a lumatek ballast, eye hortilux. Grow area is 4x4 within the closet, currently have 9 plants. The AC has a dehumidifier, but it only runs if the AC runs right? So during the dark cycle, humidity might be a problem, or if temps are low and the AC isn't cycling. I worry about it cycling too much because of the small space, it'll cool and heat back up pretty fast, I would expect. Do you mean an AC that dehumidifies? Havn't seen any that humidify as an option, but that would be great if they had one with a humidistat built in. There's a unit on craigslist that looks decent, 10,000 btu with thermostat, then I just have to worry about humidity. Thanks for the input.