A/C in garage South florida Heat! Options please

aaba78 · Sep 19, 2016

I' m new to this board and would appreciate some input...I have my washer and dryer in the garage as well as some toys the kids like to play with would love to make this an extra play room someday but first things first...my dilemna is its too hot during summer even fall and spring can be unbearable 100 degrees...I would like to put some ac in there but want to keep resale value as high as possible as well make it look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. how much would this cost? I m willing to pay to get it done..but who does this type of thing an ac guy? and what should get to make it look as nce as possible..I dont want to sacrifice comfort for something that doesnt look good

standard 2 car garage. single story home...one door on side leads to side of house no windows...just walls

Falcon67 · Sep 19, 2016

This is not technically difficult, although a mini-split may be a better (more costly) alternative.

aaba78 · Sep 19, 2016

Falcon67 said:
This is not technically difficult, although a mini-split may be a better (more costly) alternative.

how much did it cost you all in including the unit? how many BTU? does it do the job temp wise I'm not handy so i would have to get someone to do..who does contractor?, ac guy?..handyman?

this was one of the options i was thinking. Thank you

Falcon67 · Sep 19, 2016

That's about $120 for the 8K LG unit and some 1 1/2" aluminum angle. I have another 10.5K Samsung unit down the wall for the other section of the shop. Doesn't cost anything to cut a hole in the wall. If you are not handy, it's not going to be cheap I'd imagine. Depends on the wall structure and such. The above is not made to fit in a wall, it's simply repurposed for that.

A mini split with a pro install will not be cheap, but would - I think - meet your criterial better for aesthetics, added value. Cost is ? - maybe anywhere from $750~2000. You'd just have to shop it.

Something similar to this - very efficient also:
https://www.acwholesalers.com/Mitsu...7&mainCat=&subCat=&trail=40443:1 Ton:40435:No

Fixin'Stuff · Sep 19, 2016

Before you have someone start hacking holes in your garage wall to mount a window unit, first check that it's OK with your HOA. Many don't allow 'em. If you don't have an HOA, then you can do whatever you want.

BearsFan315 · Sep 19, 2016

i am looking at doing the same for my detached 2 car garage. I am looking at putting in a PTAC unit, like in hotels. just because i can save on install and do it myself. if i had the money and nice garage i would do a mini split.

pattenp · Sep 19, 2016

If your garage is not well insulated you are fighting an uphill battle trying to AC it.

aaba78 · Sep 19, 2016

Fixin'Stuff said:
Before you have someone start hacking holes in your garage wall to mount a window unit, first check that it's OK with your HOA. Many don't allow 'em. If you don't have an HOA, then you can do whatever you want.

no HOA.its my house i can do as i please thank god! lol

DC73 · Sep 19, 2016

pattenp said:
If your garage is not well insulated you are fighting an uphill battle trying to AC it.

Agree. The better the insulation and air sealing the more comfortable the space will be and it will cost less to cool it. If you're starting with no insulation and no air sealing, doing so is pretty much a no brainer payback.

Also agree with Falcon67 that a ductless mini split would be a good option for your needs.

DC

Marctrees · Sep 19, 2016

For a "window AC" as shown above, you need a decent carpenter.

That is not, at all HVAC guy, work.

The carpenter will work on cutting and framing the hole from the unfinished side, and with your help, sliding into place, securing, and weathersealing.

You will need a 230V ckt from your panel run to it, ideally by an Electrician.

And of course, any other lighting, outlets also.

AFTER these are done, you can turn on your AC have it running while you install your insulation.

For FL, you need to use insul with NO vapor barrier on indoors side of insul.

Google "Vapor barrier hot humid climate" and you'll see why.

A "Window" AC the size you will need will cost you about $700 for the unit, around 24kbtu.

Bigger ones like that come with a "sleeve" type of cabinet. Marc

Marctrees · Sep 19, 2016

Cost?

VERY VERY VERY roughly - AC unit - $800
Carpenter - $200+
Electrician- AC outlet and some basic lighting, outlets, assuming Panel in garage, or very close and accessible- $600
Add--up to ballpark roughly $500 more if panel somewhere else.
Insulation - Rouugh SWAG total guess $1,500.

So add all those up, and you still have not sheathed over the insulation yet.

Also, you'll need to spend some thinking, time, and $ on making your overhead door more efficient

And then to run your AC 24/7- maybe like $150 - $200 on hottest months.

Very rough numbers to give you SOME idea.

Others, feel welcome to correct me. Marc

theoldwizard1 · Sep 19, 2016

You have to do something about insulating the ceiling/roof or you will be fighting a loosing battle. If you have the money and the walls are open, get them insulted also.

If you already have an outlet near where you want to put the unit, stick with the biggest 120V "window shaker" you can find. If you don't have an outlet near by, running an extension cord is kind of risky. If you are going to hire an electrician to add a circuit, make it a 240V circuit. The additional cost of a 240V circuit over a 120V circuit should be <$100 and then you can use a 240V A/C.

A good handy man can do the job. Decide on how big of a A/C unit you want, then have him frame in a window a couple of inches wider and taller than the minimum in the installation manual. Some 2x4s, some nails, 2x6s for header. Install all that, then cut through. Some 1x4 for trimming the outside. 2-3 hours MAX for a pro. Pay him a couple extra dollars to install them unit.

If you are planning on using this a lot (like 6+ hours a day, almost every day) then a "mini-split" A/C (or heat pump) may be more cost effective in the long run.

Falcon67 · Sep 19, 2016

BearsFan315 said:
i am looking at doing the same for my detached 2 car garage. I am looking at putting in a PTAC unit, like in hotels. just because i can save on install and do it myself. if i had the money and nice garage i would do a mini split.

My experience with PTAC units is such that f i got one free it would go on craigslist. Serviceable maybe, reliable not so much.

brownbagg · Sep 19, 2016

BearsFan315 said:
i am looking at doing the same for my detached 2 car garage. I am looking at putting in a PTAC unit, like in hotels. just because i can save on install and do it myself. if i had the money and nice garage i would do a mini split.

i been looking at the heat pumps too. like in hotels. Lowes have one for $900 that will do the whole garage. I was thinking of making a cart with a cord so it be portable. I could drop the door on top of it with some wings, so I would not have to cut a hole in the wall. it be like a tool

theoldwizard1 · Sep 20, 2016

The only good things I have heard about PTACs are they are cheap enough to buy 2 (Hmmm ... why would you do that ?) and they are easy to swap when one goes bad (Oh, that's why !).

Marctrees · Sep 20, 2016

The OP is in South FL.

Why are PTAC's in the discussion?

It's a garage, not a newborn nursery needing 73+ degrees 24/7.

If he should EVER want heat, get a $15 plug in heater.

Our home is at TX/LA border, 100 miles N of the coast, that's what we do in the winter for heat , in our home, where my "Better half" walks around in shorts and tiny tops every day, 365.. Ok , sweatshirt over that some winter days.

And this is a single large room, garage.

What in the world is wrong w a wall mounted "window" AC?

What's w the "minisplit" (comparably ++$$$) bandwagon fever?

Got ANY place you wanna cool, Minisplit the best answer !!

Wanna cool a doghouse? EVERYONE says "Get a Minisplit!!!"

Really?

I must have missed how it makes overall sense, $ and otherwise alltold, to get a minisplit over a "windowshaker" for most single open space shop applications.

IF - You have a brain surgeon income, and want to be able to tell DR. Rothstein (Way past the Jones's now) at the next Black Tie cocktail party "I now have a MInisplit!!", then GO for it.

Otherwise, do your due diligence, and you will see there is no point.

Just get the damn correctly sized "window" ac, or actually, I am planning on halving the btu, and put in two seperate wall units, some distance apart, seeing as how they are ALL made in Jina now, so when one drops dead, at least I have some cooling till I get a replacement in.

Rant over, well, for now anyway. Marc

aaba78 · Sep 20, 2016

Marctrees said:
The OP is in South FL.

Why are PTAC's in the discussion?

It's a garage, not a newborn nursery needing 73+ degrees 24/7.

If he should EVER want heat, get a $15 plug in heater.

Our home is at TX/LA border, 100 miles N of the coast, that's what we do in the winter for heat , in our home, where my "Better half" walks around in shorts and tiny tops every day, 365.. Ok , sweatshirt over that some winter days.

And this is a single large room, garage.

What in the world is wrong w a wall mounted "window" AC?

What's w the "minisplit" (comparably ++$$$) bandwagon fever?

Got ANY place you wanna cool, Minisplit the best answer !!

Wanna cool a doghouse? EVERYONE says "Get a Minisplit!!!"

Really?

I must have missed how it makes overall sense, $ and otherwise alltold, to get a minisplit over a "windowshaker" for most single open space shop applications.

IF - You have a brain surgeon income, and want to be able to tell DR. Rothstein (Way past the Jones's now) at the next Black Tie cocktail party "I now have a MInisplit!!", then GO for it.

Otherwise, do your due diligence, and you will see there is no point.

Just get the damn correctly sized "window" ac, or actually, I am planning on halving the btu, and put in two seperate wall units, some distance apart, seeing as how they are ALL made in Jina now, so when one drops dead, at least I have some cooling till I get a replacement in.

Rant over, well, for now anyway. Marc

thank you..lol..yea i dont need heat its freaking south florida..think ft. laud/miami heat...and i dont need it running 24/7 i dont want a high electric bill either..i just want something that if the kids are in their playing or wife doing laundry for a bit, or im organizing the garage..would like it somewhat comfortable for an hr or 2 tops. id also like to control it via remote if possible to turn on 15 minutes before use is that possible? or do you have to actually be in front of ac to turn on.. Thanks

only thing is not sure if i resell house how that ac is gonna look to potential buyers...will they say i appreciate ac in garage or will they be like..whyd they make a hole in wall for ac? as the ac will be sticking outside of house (portion) i go back and forth on this..

thanks again

justinjoyal · Sep 20, 2016

^^ Well... I guess mini-splits are popular for a few reasons, mainly:

- efficiency
- reliability
- easy to service/maintain
- don't look all that bad

I hate window/thru-the-wall units. They're inefficient, loud as hell, look like **** and if you don't have a window (like OP) you have to cut a huge hole in your wall. Their only upside is the price, and then again it all depends on the work needed to make the unit fit...

Falcon67 · Sep 20, 2016

justinjoyal said:
^^ Well... I guess mini-splits are popular for a few reasons, mainly:

- efficiency
- reliability
- easy to service/maintain
- don't look all that bad

I hate window/thru-the-wall units. They're inefficient, loud as hell, look like **** and if you don't have a window (like OP) you have to cut a huge hole in your wall. Their only upside is the price, and then again it all depends on the work needed to make the unit fit...

Well - the LG and the Samsung I have are both very quiet, work well - the 10.5K cools 672 sq/ft without a lot of effort - and have remotes. The little LG is an 8K, keeps the 240 sq/ft work room nice and fit between studs without a lot of effort. They face the alley and all the yards that only get mowed once a month and the falling apart neighbor fences, so looks really don't play into it.

Yes, a dual mini would be even better but I spent that $2500 on something else.

shade · Sep 20, 2016

Falcon67 said:
Well - the LG and the Samsung I have are both very quiet, work well - the 10.5K cools 672 sq/ft without a lot of effort - and have remotes. The little LG is an 8K, keeps the 240 sq/ft work room nice and fit between studs without a lot of effort. They face the alley and all the yards that only get mowed once a month and the falling apart neighbor fences, so looks really don't play into it.

Yes, a dual mini would be even better but I spent that $2500 on something else.

This^^

I have an 18k through the wall LG unit - $550
cools a 600sq ft garage in Phoenix just fine
Insulated all walls and sub flooring above garage (2 story) - $800 blown in cellulose
230v run from panel to AC unit $200

approximate cost to run the unit - unit runs 24/7 (I have it set to 78* and garage stays at 78*)- about $10 a month. This is with cars pulling into the garage at the end of the day

Pathfinders · Sep 20, 2016

If a hole in your wall bothers you, have a window installed and then put the AC in the window.

A/C in garage South florida Heat! Options please

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