Thoughts on adding AC in my garage.

David Fermani

David Fermani

Forza Auto Salon
I want to add air conditioning in my garage. I can't tie into the existing home system and my community won't allow us to install a window unit. What can I install that will work? I will only run it when I'm in there.
 
I think home deport or lowes sell portable a/c units that you can use when your doing work in the garage and then put away when your not. Joshtpa has one and its great.
 
+1 on Zoom's reccomendation... they're basically a wall unit with a duct that hot air runs out of and a drip pan for condensation (instead of dripping out the back). Worth every penny if you can't tie into the home system.
 
Will these portable units completely cool a steaming hot garage in the middle of a Florida Summer? If so, how long will in typically take and are they noisey? I'm turnig my garage into an office/detail shop. I need it quite whie I'm on the phone.
 
The one i saw was at Joshtpa place and he uses it alot when he has a detail to do and he told me it cool the garage very good just PM him and ask him. Also i think it's on wheels so you can move it with no problem.
 
That's awesome that you have a nice grage/workplace that I assume means you can do more detailing work and expand. Hey, the more comfortable the better right:xyxthumbs What kind of building is it- square footage, insulated, metal/wood/brick, etc. and how hot does it get inside in the summer? Luckily my garage is under two trees so it stays pretty cool, the downside is it's small and filled with junk:D
 
93AccordLXwhite said:
That's awesome that you have a nice grage/workplace that I assume means you can do more detailing work and expand. Hey, the more comfortable the better right:xyxthumbs What kind of building is it- square footage, insulated, metal/wood/brick, etc. and how hot does it get inside in the summer?
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Actually it's my garage at home. It's a 2 1/2 car connected to my house with block walls. I want to epoxy the floor, upgrade the lighting and install AC. I only detail cars on weekends. My day job is done out of my home and I need an office. My kids are getting older (and louder) and it's becoming unprofessional to be on the phone sometimes when they're crying. :cry: :hairpull



Thanks for your help guys. :goodjob
 
You'll need about 2 1/2 tons of cooling for an area that size.

I'd go with a Mitsubishi Mr. Slim. The evap. and fan unit mount on the

inside wall, small hole punched in wall for the line set and the

condensing unit outside. These are great if you have a neighbor close

to the outside unit. They are so quiet its have to tell if they're running.
 
I install these

NEW%20SANYO%2024.jpg




same idea as Mitsubishi Mr. Slim

I would use something like it

I installed one a month ago through a cement block wall
 
I'm sure the 2 piece units are the best, but will a 16,000 BTU mobil work? The garage has a drywall ceiling (not insulated), block walls and non insulated garage door. Right now during direct sunlight(afternoon), it gets much hotter than the outside air temps inside our garage. I would definately prefer a mobil system.
 
I have a smaller port unit. Only 10-12k BTU and my garage is 420sq ft. My garage door is a POS builders grade and not insulated. 2 out of 3 other walls are outside walls. This unit drops the humidity from 80% to 65% but the temp only drops a few degrees. I run one of my airmovers or a fan in front of it to help spread the cool air. The output air is 54° from the unit. I picked it up used for $250 as the ones at HD are $450-500. It helps somewhat, but if I paid $500 from HD for it, I would take it back.
 
Bryan - would it be better it was 16,000 BTUs? I need the garage to be almost as cool as the rest of the house. I'll be doing my day job out of it mostly. If it's in the upper 80's, it won't be cool enough.
 
David Fermani said:
Bryan - would it be better it was 16,000 BTUs? I need the garage to be almost as cool as the rest of the house. I'll be doing my day job out of it mostly. If it's in the upper 80's, it won't be cool enough.
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David, Does you garage door have good insulation? I am thinking of having a new one with insulation installed next year before the hot season. My house is over 15yrs old, so soon or later its gonna need replaced anyway.



Hard to say if it will be as cool as the rest of the house. If you have good insulation in your garage you might....
 
I can attest to the efficieny of the 'split unit' like the one above. I built a factory in Malacca Malaysia several years ago and used those Sanyo units exclusively. It was 100 degrees and 100% humidity outside, but you could get the conference room temps cold enough to hang meat.



Our work areas were huge, and those A/C units saved me a ton of money on install over a central system. Highly recommend.
 
If you are going to make it a working space and spending any amount of time in there, I would suggest an insulated garage door and insulating the walls (foam board maybe?) and definitely the ceiling. The insulation will keep the unit from working to hard and keep the temps much more stable. I'd definitely go for one of those Mr. Slim units instead of a portable/mobile one.
 
I have one of these "mini-split" systems in my garage here in Miami. I love it. It's a 2 car garage and the garage gets colder than the inside of my house if I'm not careful. The units are NOT expensive. I would highly recommend one of these.
 
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