Garage cooling
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Teching In
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
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From: Houston, TX
Garage cooling Hey guys,
Not sure if this is the right section, but i was wodering if/how you guys are cooling your garages? I live in phoenix an in the summer the garage is just way to hot. I dont have a window for the garage any thoughts or Ideas would be great. Thanx
Not sure if this is the right section, but i was wodering if/how you guys are cooling your garages? I live in phoenix an in the summer the garage is just way to hot. I dont have a window for the garage any thoughts or Ideas would be great. Thanx
What size garage are we talking about here? What is the budget? $300 or $3000? Something smaller I would say cut in a window and get a window a/c unit. I suppose a portable roll around a/c unit could work also. How about a swamp cooler? Those can be had for relatively cheap also. The most expensive option, probably only realistic for a larger garage, is to install some duct work and a central a/c unit.
It all comes down to what you want to get out of it and what price range. The cheapest and least effective would be to get a large (48") fan. Also, on a side note, is the garage insulated well? If not, just insulating can make a big difference.
It all comes down to what you want to get out of it and what price range. The cheapest and least effective would be to get a large (48") fan. Also, on a side note, is the garage insulated well? If not, just insulating can make a big difference.
Some people here use portable evaporative / swamp coolers.
I just open a bay door and the side door and run a fan. That is of course secondary to becoming less productive in the summer
I just open a bay door and the side door and run a fan. That is of course secondary to becoming less productive in the summer
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 27
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call local hotel chain, buy a used unit they use for rooms. I have a unit I got from a Best Western....key is AIR AND HEAT IN ONE UNIT!!!!! My place is 1k square feet and it stays very cool on the hottest day. Had a chassis cert fail once because the tubing was so cold it shrank.....
Proheader
$600 and done!!!!
Proheader
$600 and done!!!!
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
This is just for a 2 car home garage I did see some portable units. These units were from 300 to 15k my budget is 500-1k. Thanks for the replies guys I am going to buy one too hot in the summer in AZ. I will more than likely go with a roll aroung unit with A large fan I sould be able to maintain a decent temp. Not looking to be cold but the summers in Phoenix, AZ can get hot. Never thought of talking with a hotel good idea...
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If you open the door, then hot air from the outside will come in. Not workable with a/c. Has to be a closed space.
Do either of your garage doors generaly stay shut? If so you can remove the top panel and replace it with a piece of plywood cut to allow room for a small window air unit 
Those can be had at Wally World for under $100
This option would be a total pain in the *** of course if the door needs to open regularly, but if you know you can keep it shut for a day or two it'll be well worth it.
Another option, is if you have an upstairs (I know it's hit or miss in AZ) but check where your ducting for those rooms go cause it may be no more than cutting into ducting that is already there and adding a vent. Then you're talkin hella cheap!
Those can be had at Wally World for under $100 This option would be a total pain in the *** of course if the door needs to open regularly, but if you know you can keep it shut for a day or two it'll be well worth it.
Another option, is if you have an upstairs (I know it's hit or miss in AZ) but check where your ducting for those rooms go cause it may be no more than cutting into ducting that is already there and adding a vent. Then you're talkin hella cheap!
Seems like a simple solution but it usually won't work, depends on the cooling capacity of your main a/c unit. Your a/c unit is sized to match the square footage of the house needing cooled. If it is designed to cool ****sq ft and you splice into the duct work and add a vent to cool another 400-500 sq ft for a typical 2 car garage, it will be overworked. The result is the rest of the house will suffer(not cooled properly). Think of it this way, it's like asking a fuel pump for a 4 cyl to work with an 8 cyl, it will provide some fuel but not nearly enough to do the job properly.
Seems like a simple solution but it usually won't work, depends on the cooling capacity of your main a/c unit. Your a/c unit is sized to match the square footage of the house needing cooled. If it is designed to cool ****sq ft and you splice into the duct work and add a vent to cool another 400-500 sq ft for a typical 2 car garage, it will be overworked. The result is the rest of the house will suffer(not cooled properly). Think of it this way, it's like asking a fuel pump for a 4 cyl to work with an 8 cyl, it will provide some fuel but not nearly enough to do the job properly.
Another tip for helping to cool the garage. I live in hot, sunny Florida, my garage door faces the west which means the evening sun beating down on it will heat up the garage like an oven. I was looking for something to keep the heat off the door and I read about this to insulate the door, it's made a huge difference in the inside temps. Don't take my word for it, read the reviews.
Mike
Mike52...another option that I have seen, although never personally tried, is putting a retractable awning over the garage door. I know it sounds almost "infomercialish". Seems like this would be a good way to block the sun, but still leave the door open for ventilation. Also it should work well in blocking the rain, so the door can be left open for ventilation with no rain coming into the garage area. Just another idea that I hope to try one day...