How much would it cost to cool my computers that generate 8800 BTU's with A/C and what is the cheapest way?

Question

I have an an interior room in my house with no exterior walls. The central A/C for the house cools it just fine now. I am moving my in-home office with all my computer equipment (6 PC's, each with a monitor, UPS's and router's) that I've calculated generate 8800 BTU's, to that room.

Right now, my office is in another, larger room (300sqft) and it is on it's own zone of the house's central A/C with extra vents and it cools off just fine. I am trying to figure out the best and most economical way to cool the in-home office in the new room. I am considering 2 choices:
1. is to have an HVAC company re-route the extra vents to the smaller room.
2. is to buy a portable A/C unit and vent it to the attic.

I live in NC so there can be considerable heat here. Our utility rate is 9.6c/KW.
So, on a monthly basis, how much would it cost to cool the computers with a Portable A/C unit? How much would it (does it) cost to cool the computers with the central A/C?

Answer 1

What I've typically seen in computer and tel com rooms are ductless mini split systems, they work really well. They consist of an indoor fan?coil which hangs on the wall and are piped to an outside condensing unit. 9,000 would be about the smallest one I 've seen, which sounds like it may suit your purpose. One that size shouldn't cost more than $40 or so per month to run. They work great, are whisper quiet, and fairly easy to install. While it may not be the cheapest solution at around $2000 to have one installed,...it's really the only solution that will actually work. Adding an ac run from the existing system will only help slightly, and then, only when the ac for the rest of the house runs. Stay away from zoned systems, where you have different zones off of one central systems,....I've never seen one work very well.

Hope this helps, ..Good luck with your venture.

20+yrs HVAC tech

Answer 2

whilst figuring what length air conditioner you go with there are a number of substantial components. sq. photos, ceiling top, solar exposure, wall insulation and heat load. it could make a distinction if one or 2 human beings stay contained in the place of abode. the added physique warmth, greater cooking, greater use of lights etc. and different electric powered gadgets. With the approximately 550 sq. ft you should be air conditioned, a 12,000 BTU unit would be sufficient as long because it has the everyday 8 ft. + ceiling top and not an previous Victorian place with 11 or 12 foot ceilings. it could be fairly sufficient for the greater advantageous place of abode. of path yours is a venture of stream. the only thank you to unravel it extremely is with severe quantity low velocity followers that sit down on the factor of the floor that are quitter. in case you are able to stand the noise you are able to desire to apply an low-value container form window fan sitting on the floor. it could help a great deal if the place of abode had ceiling followers. in case you do not use followers to bypass you are able to locate the front room somewhat frosty. The A/C unit will experience the low temperature interior the front room and cycle off together as the bedrooms and kitchen are nevertheless too heat. having reported that the front room could constantly be cooler. in spite of if it is conceivable making use of two or perhaps 3 smaller gadgets, a 5,000 BTU window unit in each and each mattress room and an 8,000 interior the front room could shop the front room at a greater delicate temp. then you certainly could choose in simple terms one fan to assist cool the kitchen. I understand being in an place of abode you won't be in a position to constantly do in simple terms what you go with to do through fact of a number of regulations and the actual format.

Answer 3

Of the top of my head . 1 kWh =3412 BTU/hr. Convert your BTU to kWh and u find the cost .Plus u have to consider the % of cool air that u will loose during air travel through the duckt.Good luck.