How to Heat and Cool a Barndominium

What is a Barndominium and are they energy efficient?

Often referred to in its shortened form, “barndo,” barndominiums are large structures consisting of old barns or ranch buildings that no longer serve their original purpose and are typically transformed into residential spaces. Barndominiums tend to have metal building frames (and metal roofs) and foundations rather than the traditional home wooden, brick, or concrete foundations that more modern and conventional homes have.

In recent years, barndos have rapidly gained popularity due to the ease of renovation and lower costs of not building an entire foundation from the ground up, which can be one of the more costly aspects of building a home. The biggest draws of barndos are their large vaulted ceilings, low construction costs(as they are usually pre-existing buildings), and energy efficiency (due to their metal structures).

At MacroAir, we got our start in agriculture, specifically in the dairy industry, to keep dairy cows from overheating during hot summer months so that they could continue to produce milk in a more comfortable environment. We did this by inventing HVLS (high volume, low speed) ceiling fans. Needless to say, MacroAir is an expert in this industry, and we continue to serve clients in the agriculture and farming industry to this day. Learn how we helped Riverside Rancheros reduce costs by installing barn fans to improve their equestrian facilities. 

How much does a Barndominium cost?

While building a barndominium can vary greatly depending on where you live, generally, it can cost anywhere from $30-$50 per square foot. Compared to building traditional homes, which can cost around $100-$500 per square foot (depending on material costs), barndos can be quite the bargain! The money you save on building can go to other areas, such as furnishing, interior decorating, or renovating the exterior,  allowing you to design the custom barndominium you’ve always envisioned.

Are Bardonminiums Energy-Efficient

First, barndominiums are energy-efficient structures that help reduce your carbon footprint as you do not need to construct an entire foundation from scratch. Additionally, adding adequate insulation and weatherization helps maintain energy efficiency. Proper insulation, which often uses a combination of fiberglass and foam, can reduce heat loss and maintain proper temperature and moisture control, sustaining the structure's indoor environment. Finally, adding windows and doors to the pre-existing structure helps prevent warm air from escaping so you don’t have to turn to heating systems that will drive up energy costs.

How to heat a Barndominium

Efficient heating is essential during the wintertime when looking to save money. Fortunately, there are many different barndominium heating and cooling options for your home.  Below, we'll be discussing barndominium heating and cooling options, like furnaces, heat pumps, and radiant heating systems, ranging from the least to most energy-efficient primary heat source.

Furnace

Furnaces are by far the most conventional heating systems for barndominium owners. However, they are not the most energy-efficient solution. Furnaces use either gas or electric energy to create heated air which is pumped through the air ducts, of your home. Older furnaces are even less efficient. However, more modern gas-powered furnaces have become quite energy-efficient. They can greatly reduce the cost of heating your home and decrease your carbon footprint. There’s a reason furnaces are the most conventional way to heat homes. They’re reliable and very effective!

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are a more energy-efficient option for your barndominium than furnaces. They essentially do the same job by generating heat and dispersing hot air throughout your home's air ducts. However, the main difference between heat pumps and furnaces is that heat pumps can also draw out warm air from your home and divert it outside during the warmer months. For this reason, you may opt for a heating pump system if you live in an area where removing warm air from your home would be beneficial. The only drawback of heat pumps is that they initially cost more upfront compared to a furnace but can effectively lower your monthly energy bill.

Radiant Heating Systems

Radiant heating systems can be one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat your bardominium  compared to furnaces and heat pumps. This is especially true for those with seasonal allergies. This is because it doesn't involve circulating air and allergens throughout your home. Radiant heating systems also retain the heat in your home much more effectively. They are installed underneath floorboards, behind walls, or ceilings and can distribute heat the same way that your oven radiates heat throughout your kitchen. While radiant heat is one of the most energy-efficient sources of heat, it also has one of the highest upfront costs.

How to cool a Barndominium

Central Air Conditioning Systems

Possibly the most common cooling system for your barndominium is a central air conditioning system (AC). Central ACs can be combined with furnaces or heat pump systems to provide both heating and cooling., which is a big plus! However, central air can be quite pricey upfront because of the installation cost of air ducts. However, once the system is installed, it can be quite efficient with different temperature settings. One major issue when it comes to central ACsis that it can become quite expensive during the summer months when used to cool down your home. Fortunately, you have options to decrease your air conditioning bills during those months.

Single-Room Air Conditioners

Similarly to central AC systems, single-room air conditioners can be very effective at cooling small spaces like bedrooms, offices, or small living rooms. However, they are probably not the best option for cooling your entire home. A major benefit of investing in single-room ACs, though, is the fact that you can get these indoor units at an affordable price and the installation requires only minor labor. Plus, you can control the single-room AC unit with adjustable remote options, allowing you to use specific units only when you need them, which can help you save money.

Thermally Driven Coolers

One of the newest types of HVAC systems for cooling your barndo is the thermally driven cooling system. This system runs on solar and/or gas power, rather than electricity, which greatly reduces the amount of energy used to cool your home. This will save you a good chunk of change in the short term. However, in the long term, purchasing a thermally driven cooling system can cost a pretty penny. This is because it requires solar panels to utilize solar energy as the main power source. On the plus side, the thermally driven coolers use either solar or gas to run, so even on cloudy days, your home will still stay cool!

MacroAir Fans in your Barndominium

HVLS (High Volume, Low Speed) ceiling fans can be an amazing barndominium heating and cooling option for many reasons Initially, barn fans were invented to keep animals in agricultural facilities comfortable and increase production. However, they are great for other purposes too. Not only do HVLS fans help efficiently cool large spaces during the warmer months, but they also provide warmth by circulating warm air during the winter months and help you save on energy costs. 

During summer months, HVLS ceiling fans can be adjusted to operate counterclockwise, pushing air downward to create a cooling breeze. In the colder months, you can change the fan direction clockwise, which pushes the warm air downward. The air will naturally rise to the ceiling and recirculate, providing a warmer draft.

MacroAir is extremely proud to partner with Stacee Lynn at The Barndominium Company. This company sets the industry standard for all things barndominiums! In fact, Stacee Lynn, the founder and CEO, has been dubbed the Barndominium Baroness. We are proud to be her exclusive big fan endorsement. Make sure to check out her website for all things barndos, including building plans, blogs, trends, and more!

We hope that this post has helped you feel more confident and equipped to find the best solutions for heating and cooling your barndominium. Download our barndominium heating and cooling reference page to help you through your barndo building process.