Opinions wanted on future house & outbuilding mechanical systems.

[mjncad]

All good points to consider AKwelder. I used to design piping systems and I agree with you about valves being cheap, especially in the small sizes encountered in residential work.

For us along the Front Range of Colorado, -20F is about as cold as it ever gets, and that's not very often. A Minnesota friend of mine lived in Fairbanks many years ago when her then husband was stationed up there with the military. She told me that June = Spring, July = Summer, August = Fall, and the rest is winter.

 

[SpringHollow]

Radiant heat in the floor does have a long lag time. But in our climate, you need to heat the shop 24/7 or else the temperature swings will cause condensation ruining your expensive mills, lathes, etc. Also, they have their own thermal mass and do not work so well when very cold. So for me, well insulated with 24/7 heat was the way to go. It is amazing how nice it is to lay on the floor to work on the tractor. I have used in-floor heat in the house for almost 20 years.

None of the metal working machines at work are bolted to the floor. But i can see where it might be nice.

Ken