OptiClimate

Choosing an OptiClimate unit

An OptiClimate is a sealed-room machine rather than an extraction system. It heats, cools, dehumidifies and filters in one loop, so the room holds its temperature without dumping conditioned air outside. That makes it a different proposition from a fan and filter: you are buying control of the whole environment rather than air exchange.

The first decision is how you reject heat. Water-cooled units move heat into a water circuit, which needs a chiller or a supply and a drain but keeps everything inside quiet and compact. Split air-cooled units put a condenser outside instead, which is simpler to plumb but needs somewhere to mount it. After that it is a straight sizing question from room volume and the heat your lighting puts in.

Sizes here are quoted by cooling capacity. As a rough guide, add up your lighting wattage, allow for pumps and fans, and size the unit above that figure rather than at it — a machine running at its limit holds temperature but loses the ability to pull humidity down at the same time.

Plenum boxes, distribution tube, three-way valves and the connection sets for Pro 3 and Pro 4 are all listed below, along with replacement carbon filters and temperature probes.