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How cold should you let your hangar get?

Steve Crewdog

Well Known Member
Patron
Now that I have the luxury of a heated hangar (and an internet thermostat), I've been wondering how cold you should let it get while you're away. I've got it set for 45F now, any thoughts?
 
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Depends on if you are doing any engine pre-heat. If you are not pre-heating 45 sounds ok to me. If pre-heating engine I would just keep it above freezing and dew point.
We just turn our hangar heat off when not there but I pre-heat my engine. Since I am there at least 3-4 times a week with heat on, engine never really ever gets below 40 degrees except maybe for a few weeks in Late January or early February.
 
20°F is the minimum engine temperature that will prevent damage at startup.
40°F is easier on the battery during startups and reduces startup wear.
60°F is when you’ll see additional benefits in reduced engine stress and cylinder wear and more efficient run-up times.
 
Normal storage I keep mine at 5 deg c and no preheat. Well maybe 20 min preheat for the cabin. Keeps everything from fogging up and a lot more comfortable.
 
I keep mine at 60. I live at an airpark so I go into the hangar quite often and that's a comfortable working temp for me.
 
I have HVAC in my hangar. IF I do nothing, it rarely gets below 40 F. When I am going to work in the hangar, I will set the heat to 60F in the winter and 78F in the summer. Typically the AC runs in the summer set to 80 during the hours that the sun is out so as to take advantage of the solar energy that my solar panels generate. Typically during the summer the AC program has temperature at 90 when the sun is not out but the temperature almost never gets there that the AC runs when I am not in the hangar.

I do have a sump heater that I used when I was based in Pennsylvania. IF needed, I can plug it in or use a WiFi switch to turn it on - off. Have only used it once in the last 8-years.
 
I’m in the Denver area and keep mine at 50 when I’m not working in it and 60 when I’m working. I keep my block heaters plugged in with insulated covers on the cowlings of both planes because I really like 95+ degree engine and oil temps immediately upon start.
 
Oh gee thats a loaded question from someone that doesnt like cold. LOL--when its gets to around 60* here, I keep asking Steve why we didnt open an office in Hawaii?
 
Lots of variables depending on where you live and what you do in your hangar. I keep mine at 60deg.F 24/7 with a commercial dehumidifier.
Heat pump but never need the AC. Electricity is relatively cheap here and it is a temperate environment. We didn’t get our first freeze until this week. Pacific NW.
My hangar is also my shop and storage for other things.
Never need to worry about corrosion, mold/mildew, preheat, etc…..
If I lived in the Midwest or the great white north i would probably have a different strategy.
 
Now that I have the luxury of a heated hangar (and an internet thermostat), I've been wondering how cold you should let it get while you're away. I've got it set for 45F now, any thoughts?
I live in Battle Ground WA and mine ( fully insulated and sheet rocked) gets down to 42 without any heat at all as the ground will give you some heat year round in our location, IF you seal it up so air leaks don't steal your heat.
But my luck varies FIXIT
 
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