Mygoat1

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

chino_man279

iTrader: (7)

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.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

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

Irish350

iTrader: (14)

i herdat... summer = 0 productivity due to heat lol

sometimes i actually close the bay doors and open the house door and point a fan (or many) at my car

proheader

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!!!!

garygnu

alot of insulantion in the attic,and ceiling fans.alot of cold beers in the garage frigde.

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

swamp cooler.. we use these in our hangars and they work awesome

Mygoat1

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...

infinitebird

iTrader: (11)

You still need a window with those. You cannot effectively cool an area with a/c without a way to vent the hot air.

chino_man279

iTrader: (7)

I am aware of this. Just trying to list all the options. It is not ideal, but an option. I'm only guessing, but I bet a garage has a door or two for venting.

infinitebird

iTrader: (11)

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.

Anniversary "Z"

iTrader: (26)

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!

Mike52

iTrader: (1)

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.

pdsq98gt

Not to mention carbon monoxide going through your house...generally not considered a good thing.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Good point Mike. I know I'd include the ability to close off that ducting in non-summer months. And not include a return in the garage.

Anniversary "Z"

iTrader: (26)

Good point, but it would be worth checking into what size AC unit you have. Most around here are over sized for the homes they are attached to. My first house had a 3.5 ton on a 1500 sq ft home

garygnu

do you have a service door from the out side into the garage?if so cut a hole in it for a small AC unit.

Mike52

iTrader: (1)

Typically carbon monoxide entering the house shouldn't be a problem. The air intake is usually centrally located inside the house, mine for example is at the end of a hallway leading to the 3 bedrooms. As mentioned by jmd, the ability to close off the duct would be helpful too plus common sense should tell you not to run an engine in a closed garage.

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

chino_man279

iTrader: (7)

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...

Anniversary "Z"

iTrader: (26)

Have you tried just opening the interior door and running a fan?