AC in the garage, who has it?

s_morrison57 · 12-12-2009, 06:29 AM

I heat the garage but I'm shopping for AC now thats its the off season and I'm hopeing to get it a bit cheaper. Everyone thinks I'm nut to put AC in a garage but I spend a lot of time out there in all seasons and I tell all the skeptic's " any fool can be uncomfortable".
Am I alone, anyone else have AC in their garage, shop, work place or man cave?

BeyGon · 12-12-2009, 06:37 AM

I guess I could cool down the garage if I wanted, it's attached to the house, but I don't even turn the AC on in the house but twice each summer just to give it exercise.

Chocaholic · 12-12-2009, 06:46 AM

I do. 30' x 50' insulated garage that also contains my office and a bathroom. Installed an Amana in-wall unit for heating and cooling (like you often see in hotel rooms). Sits low in a back corner and does a great job.

VaSteve · 12-12-2009, 07:29 AM

This time of the year I have great a/c in the garage and in the summer i have HEAT!!

Scuba Steve · 12-12-2009, 08:01 AM

It's been a dream of mine since moving to TX, but would be a bit difficult since it's not exactly a huge garage and exterior walls are brick. What helped a bit was installing radiant barrier in the attic space above the garage (less heat infiltrating downward).

One of the bigger challenges with this will be finding a way to seal up the space around the garage doors. Those don't exactly close tight against the house. Maybe some foam padding strips would survive being rubbed against by the doors when they open and close over the years?

David · David's Garage

I have a 2 ton window unit that keeps my 22 x 43 foot insulated garage pretty cool in the summer. I don't have an insulated door so I cut pieces of foam board to fit the garage door openings and installed a seal around the outside edge.

If I did it again, I'd install a split system. The only problem with the split system is the cost. I spent about $450 for the window unit where a split system would be $1500 or more. The benefit is the loud compressor would be outside.

javadog · 12-12-2009, 09:17 AM

My garage has central HVAC.

My wife's does not.

Guess which one is nicer...

JR

Rick V · 12-12-2009, 09:20 AM

I have it more for the dehumidifying effect than the cooling aspect.

campbellcj · 12-12-2009, 11:35 AM

I contemplated it very briefly but without insulation I figure it would be expensive and not very effective.

Seahawk · 12-12-2009, 11:44 AM

I am putting AC in my new shop...big window unit with lots of floor fans.

I've been dreaming about this moment for 16 years.

BK911 · BK911's Garage

My AC unit is in the attached garage. I just cut some grilles in the duct work. When i am in the house, the grilles are closed. When i am in the garage the grilles are open. Pretty simple.

Having heating and cooling in the garage is awesome. When I build a detached garage it will definitely have heating and cooling in it. I couldn't live without it now.

slow&rusty · 12-12-2009, 02:32 PM

My garage has AC and heat. It is great all year round.

Yasin

Roadrunner911 · Roadrunner911's Garage

Here's mine, it's real noisy when I run it though. Mostly get warm air too.

NineOhOne · 12-12-2009, 07:43 PM

You don't live out by Talavera/Dripping Springs, do you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadrunner911

Here's mine, it's real noisy when I run it though. Mostly get warm air too.

Joeaksa · 12-12-2009, 08:05 PM

Have a swamp cooler in my garage and hangar. Works pretty well until the humidity gets up there.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

1500 sf detached garage.

Gas heater hung from the ceiling.

Big window unit installed in the exterior wall.

Bathroom

Slop sink.

2 TV's and a nice Denon stereo system.

Beer Fridge.

notfarnow · 12-13-2009, 07:41 AM

I have AC... a drafty garage door. It's #^@%ing 14*F in my garage today. I am seriously considering jackhammering out the floor and putting in radiant heat.

NineOhOne · 12-13-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I have AC... a drafty garage door. It's #^@%ing 14*F in my garage today. I am seriously considering jackhammering out the floor and putting in radiant heat.

I've seen garage (space) heaters that burn waste oil. That might be up your alley.

notfarnow · 12-13-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NineOhOne

I've seen garage (space) heaters that burn waste oil. That might be up your alley.

Yeah, they are tempting, but not approved (thus, not insurable) for residential use.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

I have AC and I love it. Several times last year it was over 100 degrees outside and 72 inside. I can work out there all day and not feel drained. I have a watts meter for the unit to calculate the cost. It cost me about four bucks a day to stay cool all day. That is 100% worth the cost.