Have you air-conditioned your garage? Please share how it went.

[Smalley]

Hi all, We're going to need our garage space for lots of storage. Air-conditioning should help keep things stored there in good condition and make it more comfortable to use the space in summer. If you've done it, were you happy with your contractor? Do you think it was a good idea? Since we don't need heat, just the a/c, what kind of unit do you advise? Looking forward to hearing from some Villagers.

[retiredguy123]

I would use a mini split heat pump that will provide heating and cooling. You will need to add insulation to the ceiling and garage door. It's not much different from conditioning a lanai. I would start with a quote from Munn's. A window unit air conditioner would be a lot cheaper, but they are not allowed in most of The Villages areas. Good luck.

[Smalley]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about insulation. Makes good sense.

[Keefelane66]

Hi all, We're going to need our garage space for lots of storage. Air-conditioning should help keep things stored there in good condition and make it more comfortable to use the space in summer. If you've done it, were you happy with your contractor? Do you think it was a good idea? Since we don't need heat, just the a/c, what kind of unit do you advise? Looking forward to hearing from some Villagers.
I use a floor unit vents through window or thru attic we have a roof exhaust fan above the garage less expensive than mini split. Works well easy to maintain 75°.
Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-Portable-Conditioner-Display/dp/B01DLPUWJ4/ref=asc_df_B01DLPUWJ4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198098764798&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14031878148228776385&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1025491&hvtargid=pla-348315898733&psc=1)

[Blueblaze]

Depends on your situation, but since the air handler is in my garage, I've often thought of just putting a register in the plenum, for occasional use. If your garage is small and your A/C new and a little oversize, it might work year round, just to knock the temp down to the 80's. Of course, you'd need the insulation, regardless, but $15 vs $3000(?) for a mini-split? If it was me, I'd give it a try. Probably totally illegal and you'd have to remove it if you sell the house. So save the piece you cut out, and tape it back in when you move.

[retiredguy123]

Depends on your situation, but since the air handler is in my garage, I've often thought of just putting a register in the plenum, for occasional use. If your garage is small and your A/C new and a little oversize, it might work year round, just to knock the temp down to the 80's. Of course, you'd need the insulation, regardless, but $15 vs $3000(?) for a mini-split? If it was me, I'd give it a try. Probably totally illegal and you'd have to remove it if you sell the house. So save the piece you cut out, and tape it back in when you move.
I looked at my plenum. If could be done, but would require some ductwork because my air handler unit is inside a closet. Also, there would be no return air. It would definitely be a fire code violation.

[Craftylady]

We insulated our garage doors and had Munns install a mini split with wifi capabilities. It works great and we can monitor it from other locations. It’s also very efficient. Our garage faces west so it used to get up to 100 degrees in there.

[RICH1]

I believe this was discussed on a couple previous forums, and the Mini-split was the Best idea.. The garage attic must be insulated to make this job worthwhile…The TV and recliner should also be included in your overall costs..being comfortable at our age is priority

[crash]

Hi all, We're going to need our garage space for lots of storage. Air-conditioning should help keep things stored there in good condition and make it more comfortable to use the space in summer. If you've done it, were you happy with your contractor? Do you think it was a good idea? Since we don't need heat, just the a/c, what kind of unit do you advise? Looking forward to hearing from some Villagers.

You must insulate the entire garage and ceiling. I also have the radiate heat barrier. The unit is a ductless wall unit with a thermostat so you can set the temp to what ever you need. If you can drain it by gravity you will avoid the pump in the attic which can burn out and costs about $500 to replace.

[midiwiz]

you don't need much, the garages aren't all that bad. of course if you just moved from up north you'll freak, if you've been here for years you won't LOL. It's a simple solution, blown insulation above the garage + gaskets (more than insulation) around garage door + 1 vent overhead. You'd be surprised what a 'laundry room vent" will do to one of these garages. Not off the plenum - they can tie into a run and place it near the door into the house. There is zero effect on yoru bill since your thermostat is in the house. I can tell you that we can keep that garage very confortable with that configuration, our house prior was a oversized 3 car garage on the east side of FL.... worked like a charm. Cost me $100.

[Driller703]

Hi all, We're going to need our garage space for lots of storage. Air-conditioning should help keep things stored there in good condition and make it more comfortable to use the space in summer. If you've done it, were you happy with your contractor? Do you think it was a good idea? Since we don't need heat, just the a/c, what kind of unit do you advise? Looking forward to hearing from some Villagers.
Call Munn’s. Very satisfied. BTW they will refer to your Mini Split as a de-humidifier. An “air conditioner” will increase your livable square footage for tax purposes.

[LucyP]

I have screens across garage door. Open during the day let heat out. You can purchase them with screen you can not see in.

[aallbrand]

Do not use carrier . They are a terrible for warranty repairs . Do not waste your money on Mitisubishi over priced expensive to repair. Better off using any of the cheap systems . All the systems expensive and cheap use many of the same components .

[SeaCros]

One might start out by getting your attic insulated as this would help to keep the garage cooler in the summer months. A mini-split is always an additional option but it would be only if you plan on using your garage like an additional room for the house and don't plan on raising/lowering the garage door. Last factor might be which way your door would be facing. If you get evening sun on the door the mini-split would be working extra hard to cool the space.

Good luck

[Ashimp]

We insulated the garage and keep the door to the house open. Taxes the house AC but keeps the garage tolerable. Solar guys insulated the attic.

[Fastskiguy]

We insulated the garage and keep the door to the house open. Taxes the house AC but keeps the garage tolerable. Solar guys insulated the attic.

Are you serious about this?

[Tblue]

Solar guys for blown in insulation above the garage, we did it and very happy with their work.

[Topspinmo]

No, not needed, rarely gets over 90 degree at head height.

[Calisport]

Had a retractable screen company come out. Price for 2 car was over $3000. So never mind that.
He said he has insulated garage door, put vents in the doors, insulated the attic.
He said it won't make much difference if the garage is facing the sun side. 94 degrees outside. 94 degrees will get sucked in anyway.
So my guess is a air conditioner portable unit will only make it 92-94 degrees. It would have to be a wall unit to cool the garage down enought to make a difference. Unfortunately a lot of the homes in the villages don't have windows or doors or vents.

[Calisport]

Oh I forgot. Wall units are allowed in the villages I read somewhere here. And you have to get approval for most other changes.

[Smalley]

The information that's been posted so far is super helpful. A big thank you to all who responded. We were planning to call the Solar Guys for solar tubes. Now we can get advice and a quote on the garage insulation as well from them.

[cae00tv]

Who installed your roof exhaust fan? Were you pleased?

[Toymeister]

This is the twenty third post and besides me only one other person has done this. Value all the off topic replies for what they are worth. Comments like the garage doesn't exceed 90 at head level so AC is not needed are hilarious!

The mini split cools the garage quickly and efficiently. It is powerful enough that you really only need to turn it on when you need it. It's quite a bit different than a home AC which takes hours to cool.

This comfort does come at a cost, our electric bill was up 22% year over year.

For me it is worth the comfort of working on my hobbies. It's hard to quantify comfort. I can afford it so why not.

[Fastskiguy]

This comfort does come at a cost, our electric bill was up 22% year over year.


22% would take me from $90/month to $100/month....totally worth if it I could have a usable space in the garage vs. a raging inferno all summer long. Thanks for posting the energy costs :)

Joe

[SkylightRoofing]

You can call Skylight Roofing to assist with economical Kennedy Solar Vents, they work great for garage or lanai applications: 352-552-4766.



Hi all, We're going to need our garage space for lots of storage. Air-conditioning should help keep things stored there in good condition and make it more comfortable to use the space in summer. If you've done it, were you happy with your contractor? Do you think it was a good idea? Since we don't need heat, just the a/c, what kind of unit do you advise? Looking forward to hearing from some Villagers.

[jimbo2012]

Did you know if you're handy a mini split is a simple install cost about $1200

See Utube

Why they charge about $4-5,000 is not right.

[Topspinmo]

Did you know if you're handy a mini split is a simple install cost about $1200

See Utube

Why they charge about $4-5,000 is not right.


Why they charge? Cause they can. People pay.

[Topspinmo]

This is the twenty third post and besides me only one other person has done this. Value all the off topic replies for what they are worth. Comments like the garage doesn't exceed 90 at head level so AC is not needed are hilarious!

The mini split cools the garage quickly and efficiently. It is powerful enough that you really only need to turn it on when you need it. It's quite a bit different than a home AC which takes hours to cool.

This comfort does come at a cost, our electric bill was up 22% year over year.

For me it is worth the comfort of working on my hobbies. It's hard to quantify comfort. I can afford it so why not.

Rarely, but I can understand the comprehension problem :thumbup: