u/CustomMillworkShopPA

We are trying to make this summer a little more bearable in our wood shop by getting some dehumidifiers and large fans for air circulation. It is an old industrial building that has no HVAC system whatsoever. Building is brick and concrete with a 3/4 glass block wall that runs the length of the largest area.

I have broken the shop into 4 parts (#1 is 3600sqft with 12' ceilings, #2 is 12000sqft with 12' ceilings, #3 is 3600sqft with 8' ceilings and #4is 4000sqft with 10' ceilings) and I think I understand the PPD requirement for each part based on the math but when I look for units I am very unsure what to get. Why is the 305 PPD option from home depot over 1000$ cheaper than a 100 PPD option from HVAC direct? What is the difference? What do we need for our space?

https://preview.redd.it/bzbe7jxzpw1h1.png?width=1227&format=png&auto=webp&s=3832c848d9f57c93192aad33b010291124fea234

https://preview.redd.it/hylczixzpw1h1.png?width=1820&format=png&auto=webp&s=7af15911320ea55cbdf3778e0f4203375993bdad

I have been asked to look into getting dehumidifier(s) to make being in our shop a bit more bearable this year and its a weird old space that's technically like 3 different spaces and I have no idea where to even start figuring out what we need to get.

We are located in Philadelphia where summers are very humid. We are a full service cabinetry and millwork manufacturer with in house finishing, and lumber milling

I am unsure of the exact dimensions but the "main building" is approx 265' x 60' with 12' ceilings, the second part is separated by a brick wall but directly attached and is approx 50' x 60' with 8' ceilings. There is no wall between the 2nd and 3rd part, it basically wraps the corner of the building in an L shape that is approx 110' x 40' with 10' ceilings on one leg and then other leg is the loading dock and that's approx 114 x 20 with 20' ceilings

I know we rent approx 20000 sq ft on the ground floor.

There is a second floor above, and a basement below the main building with very thick concrete floors between. About 70' of the main building goes 3'-4' below ground level in the front. There is a glass block wall 3/4 wall (its brick to about 3' up then glass block) that runs the length of the main building, except for the 70 or so feet in the front There are 6 single pane windows in the 2nd part The rest of the walls are brick, original to the building.

Building was built in the 1920s for manufacturing and insulation is very poor. Many unsealed cracks, crevices. Some spray insulation on roof of 2nd and 3rd areas

Heat provided by several radiant gas heaters in winter. No AC. 10'x10' rollup door is usually always open during summer to help cool the shop. Many 24" and 36" fans to attempt making it more bearable.