Moisture in 26x32 garage

[stigedis]

So we built a nice attached 3 stall garage when we build our home a few years back. Gas line is run but the attached garage with R-19 walls and R-50 ceiling, and highest overhead door R-value, this garage has yet to dip into the freezing zone here in souithern MN. No heater and the jug of water i have on the work bench doesnt freeze.
My issue is moisture. With the snow, rain etc coming off the vehicles, the moisture levels get so high that all the windows frost like mad.
With heat, the air would likely be capable of holding more moisture. The only planned heat source is the heat off the cars which is nice. . Is there anything a guy can do to reduce this moisture. All i can do now is open all the doors and let it out. It looks like a sauna when i open the doors when it gets real cold out. Would a heater and increasing the temp in the garaghe be that helpful?
Hope this makes sense...
Thanks
stig

 

[BillK]

stig,
If all you are concerned with is the humidity, then all you need is a dehumidifier. You can plumb it to drain outside and not have to worry about emptying it. I had one in the basement of our first house and it worked great.

 

[olytdi]

Another alternative is to buy/build a ventilator that removes air from the building and is governed by a humidistat. Bottom line: you've got to remove the moisture you introduce. It's expensive to keep the temp raised just to accomodate more moisture -- remove it.

I built one using 6" flex duct and a duct fan. Sets to come on when humidity reaches a certain level. My floor sweats when it's really warm and rainy and this makes a big difference with moisture removal.

 

[e-tek]

By "ventilator" he means a fan. We have a 12" fan in the window on a humidistat. Turns on when the snow melts, have never had a moisture problem since, even though the water sits under the cars (on mats) all winter.

 

[BillK]

The only disadvantage to the ventilator (exhaust fan) is that it will also be drawing air in from somewhere, more than likely cold outside air So if its 20 degrees outside, you will be sucking 20 degree air into the garage

 

[p_mori7]

an air exchanger would work.

http://www.venmar.ca/37-air-exchangers-ea1500.html

 

[www.eldorado-seville.com]

I have dehumidifiers in my garages to keep humidity at a constant 50% year round. I think the average humidity in our climate is around 70-80% with lots of fog in autumn. I want to make sure that my collector cars are stored as good as possible.

 

[Bojans]

I had a similar issue the first year we were in our house before I heated the garage. After installing the heater and a ceiling fan I have no moisture issues and come out to a dry floor every morning. My garage is ~1,000 sq ft with 14-15 foot ceiling. I typically keep it heated to 45 when I am not working out ther. Using a 45k btu heater.

 

[e-tek]

I had a similar issue the first year we were in our house before I heated the garage. After installing the heater and a ceiling fan I have no moisture issues and come out to a dry floor every morning. My garage is ~1,000 sq ft with 14-15 foot ceiling. I typically keep it heated to 45 when I am not working out ther. Using a 45k btu heater.

Not sure if you live in a snow zone, but if you bring in a snowy car the floor can't be dry in the morning can it?

 

[DPelletier]

I agree with others; remove the moisture....the problem is as you do that you will also cool the garage so heat may be required as well. I would use an EF and a dehumidistat with some form of heat. Gas is better and you have it, but a small electric resistance heater may be all you need.

An HRV would cut down on the energy requirements of the warmer air being exhausted but most are only 50% efficient and installation is more involved.

Dave

 

[Jackfre]

Another alternative is to buy/build a ventilator that removes air from the building and is governed by a humidistat. Bottom line: you've got to remove the moisture you introduce. It's expensive to keep the temp raised just to accomodate more moisture -- remove it.

I built one using 6" flex duct and a duct fan. Sets to come on when humidity reaches a certain level. My floor sweats when it's really warm and rainy and this makes a big difference with moisture removal.

Try the www.tjernlund.com site and look at their AirXchange unit. Minneapolis based. Great folks and a good product.