How to cool a polebarn?

[JMER817]

Hey guys...we are having a wedding reception in our polebarn this weekend. Its going to be 85 degrees which is actually cooler than it has been lately here is Michigan. The barn is uninsulated and 30 X 40. I am looking for ways to try to keep it cooler inside. Will have fans pushing air around. Any thoughts on the best way to setup the fans? Also, has anyone used those portable air conditioners? There are a couple for sale on craigslist for $150 - $200 that I could sell after we use it. They are 10,000BTU surely not enough to cool the place down to 65 but might help some?? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. Looking to keep this on a low-budget!

 

[blueriver]

Hey guys...we are having a wedding reception in our polebarn this weekend. Its going to be 85 degrees which is actually cooler than it has been lately here is Michigan. The barn is uninsulated and 30 X 40. I am looking for ways to try to keep it cooler inside. Will have fans pushing air around. Any thoughts on the best way to setup the fans? Also, has anyone used those portable air conditioners? There are a couple for sale on craigslist for $150 - $200 that I could sell after we use it. They are 10,000BTU surely not enough to cool the place down to 65 but might help some?? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. Looking to keep this on a low-budget!

I have used water sprinklers on the roof ... it will cool it down.

 

[JMER817]

I had thought of the same thing as well

 

[tallyho8]

Don't waste your time with the portable a/cs. They won't help a lick.

I have cooled my barn by hanging burlap sacks around it and wetting them down plus a few fans to keep the air moving. The evaporating action helps produce a cooler temperature.

 

[cowpatty]

85 with some fans would be heaven for us. Tomorrow is supposed to be 111 and Wednesday is supposed to be 112 here in Oklahoma.

A misting setup with some fans would providea great place to cool down. Should be reasonably inexpensive to set up as well.

Good luck and have fun

 

[grsthegreat]

I have used the large water evaporator coolers before, and they actually did a good job, AS LONG AS THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY ISNT TOO HIGH to begin with. If your at 90% humidity, it prob wont help.

Call around to rental yards. The ones where i live (idaho) carry them. Maybe yours do also. Why buy for one day

 

[foreman Etexas]

I agree the Porta-Cool trailers from the Rental shops!! Or put the sprinklers behind the ones you got(mite have to move them back just alittle).....

 

[deepNdirt]

does the Barn have a shady side? Might as well go ahead and make it where you can use the building again for similar reasons or just good ol family gatherings, on the shady side you should have a window or door on the opposite end of the building install a large fan as high up on the wall as possible,
this will work like a whole house attic fan system, it will draw the hot air out from the ceiling/Loft while also pulling cooler air from the shady side of the building,