How do you keep your garage cool during the summer?

[timtim2008]

How do you keep your garage cool during the summer?


with out installing an AC unit?


do they make garage door fans? (not just the ones you hang from the ceiling) i mean one that can install/mount on your door, and goes up and down with the door, too would be nice..

i would love this

[Fubar]

Big three speed pedestal fan.

[wsettle]

I use a big 4' roll around shop fan which keeps the air moving but it will do little today as it will just push 104 degree air around.

[Alf Torp]

Originally Posted by timtim2008

How do you keep your garage cool during the summer?


with out installing an AC unit?

Easy. I live in Norway, that helps a lot.

[bochnak]

I have the blower motor from my old furnace out in the garage. I set it up outside to suck in cool air when I'm out there at night. It also keeps bugs under control since they can't fly in 25mph winds.

Looks like this:

[MScott]

Depends a lot on where you live. You cannot make a garage cooler than the outside air....all you can do is reduce the effect of the heat.
First, insulate, insulate, insulate to reduce the amount of heat transfer from the sun-baked exterior. Make sure the garage doors are insulated.
Second, make sure the atic area is well ventilated. Use powered or whirlibird vents to keep the attic as cool as possible. A light coloured (colored for you guys) roof will stay cooler than a dark roof.
As stated, use multiple fans to keep the air moving. You will feel cooler with a breeze on your body and persperation will evaporate more easily.
If possible, keep the garage doors closed and use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity. Drier air always feels cooler.

[NUTTSGT]

My garage has been too damn hot this year. I'm not going out there when it's 85+ and humid. After I put a new floor in, I'm dropping the ceiling to try help cool it, heating it is no problem.

[dankicksass]

Attic fan, exhaust fans in the rear of the garage, oscillating intake fans in the doors. it's not pretty but it makes things livable.

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

High humidity makes even the 85-90*F range feel rotten. I can't do much but use a few fans to try to keep air moving through the shop...beyond that, it's just keep a jug of cold iced tea or water handy and sweat....I find that once I'm completely sweat-soaked I stop thinking about it....

[79firebird]

i did the same as bochnak fan from a old furnace they work real good and are portable. works good when welding a lot also moves all the fumes away

[haugy]

I hope I'll be keeping the pole barn cool with insulation, to fans mounted high in the upper corners to circulate air, and an window A/C unit.

[PurdueSD]

Originally Posted by MScott

Depends a lot on where you live. You cannot make a garage cooler than the outside air....all you can do is reduce the effect of the heat.

I built my garage 4 blocks deep in the ground. Its well insulated and will easily stay 10-15 degrees cooler than the outside air if i keep the doors shut.

[Jack Olsen]

That's my attic fan in the original picture. It was only $80 and it recirculates all the air in my garage every five minutes (by its specs). Since I've got a flat roof, it was pretty easy to install. It can also be used with a traditional roof, though.

For really hot days, I'm currently adding a small AC unit I picked up second-hand. It's a portable one that vents to the outside through holes I'm cutting in the wall. We'll see how well it works.

[Steve in Mi]

Originally Posted by MScott

Depends a lot on where you live. You cannot make a garage cooler than the outside air....all you can do is reduce the effect of the heat.

Wrong as PurdueSD already pointed out and I second. I often see greater than 20 degrees difference. Insulation down to the frostline means that the 53 degree ground water temp is pulling heat out of my shop leaving it cooler and comfortable. No A/C and my shop doesn't go above 73 downstairs in the Summer. It gets a little warmer upstairs, maybe 2 - 3 degrees. In the Winter it doesn't go below 63 degrees downstairs and again 2 to 3 degrees warmer upstairs. Insulate well and keep it closed up as much as possible has worked for me.

[1Garageman]

Originally Posted by NUTTSGT

My garage has been too damn hot this year. I'm not going out there when it's 85+ and humid. After I put a new floor in, I'm dropping the ceiling to try help cool it, heating it is no problem.

I know what you mean fellow Ohio'an. It is freak-en how and humid in my garage also. I feel like keeping the garage doors down and buying a cheap air conditioner for it.

[red baron]

I open the bay door.






But it doesnt get too miserable this close to the coast.

[61scout80]

I use an evaporative (swamp) cooler. Not so good now that the humidity is up here...

Originally Posted by bochnak

I have the blower motor from my old furnace out in the garage. I set it up outside to suck in cool air when I'm out there at night. It also keeps bugs under control since they can't fly in 25mph winds.

Looks like this:

yeah, but how to you keep your hammers from blowing away????

[geaugafletcher]

Ha! Keep it cool in 100 degree weather? You better figure on honest-to-Pete air conditioning or just get up before the sun does. Open door? Attic fan? Portable A/C? Passive cooling through the slab? Fat chance, the weather around here will scoff at your feeble gestures.

[51rider]

Originally Posted by Jack Olsen

For really hot days, I'm currently adding a small AC unit I picked up second-hand. It's a portable one that vents to the outside through holes I'm cutting in the wall. We'll see how well it works.

Jack,
you should have no issues with that portable unit-we used one to provide 'temporary' a/c to a server room for about two years!

To the OP-easy move to England where we never have a summer anymore

[Iroc-Z]

I will be installing a window unit.