A/C in the garage with a window unit?

[R6 Racer]

I am a total newbe at a/c stuff. My garage is attached,completely insulated & is just under 700sq.ft. with 12ft. ceilings.
I have a chance at both a 5000 or a 8000 btu window unit. The problem is that I don't have any windows in my garage. My questions are...
Is there a way to hook up a window unit using an exhaust threw the ceiling?
Based on my garage size would either of these units do the job for me? (which one?)
If I have left out any information needed, please let me know & I will try to get what is needed.

Steve

 

[HoseB]

Mini-split, no windows necessary:

 

[Major Ramifications]

Both of the window unit you mentioned are too small.
The mini split would be sweet, the only holes you need are for the tubing.
They do make wall units that fit into a common wall sleeve. You frame the opening, put in the wall sleeve and slide in the unit. If it craps out down the road, you slide another unit into the same sleeve.
There are also PTAC (motel type) units that work the same way, with a bigger sleeve.

 

[Joe Reed]

You can put a window unit through a wall. You just have to be a little creative to not block the vent louvers on the sides of the unit.

I put an 18,000 BTU unit in my garage - through a brick veneer wall. I just made the opening on the outside several inches wider than the unit, then framed and finished the hole on the outside so the vents were clear.

 

[oldgoat]

I cut a hole in my way to put a window unit in since I have a sliding window and couldn't find one big enough to fit. I also made the opening a little bigger, the size of the other AC I was looking at, so that in case I had to replace it I'd have the room. I think it is safer to put one in through the wall since you can place it up higher and with a window unit it is easier for a person to get in through the window. I guess the mini split might be the ideal way, but it also depends on your money situation and preferences. Oh and yes the units you talked about are too small for your needs. Especially if you only use it from time to time. It takes time to get all the built up heat cooled down. Remember that the concrete floor is also a heat sink.

 

[R6 Racer]

Thanks everyone. I just happened upon these 2 units & can buy them relatively cheep. I guess the mini split is most likely the best way to go.

Steve

 

[mdbeck1]

Mini-split, no windows necessary:

So what kind of price are we talking about and how many square feet will it handle?

 

[green.bubbly]

So what kind of price are we talking about and how many square feet will it handle?

Depends on the size and brand. I just purchased a 12,000 BTU Klimaire unit for $825.00 including shipping and lineset. It is not a high end unit but it will not get a lot of use so I took a chance on it. More than a cheapo window unit form HD but by the time I would have cut a hole in my metal building, purchased and installed additional framing pieces and trim and sealed it all up, I would have spent the same amount of money. With a mini-split, all I have is a 3 inch hole in my wall.


But they can be purchased from I think 9,000 btu up to around 4 tons from what I have seen. Dual, triple and quad zones allow for multiple indoor units running on one compressor unit.

 

[mdbeck1]

Thanks.

I've been looking at them on-line. I haven't found many with prices and those that do are either $600.00 or $1,000.00-$2,000.00. I'm still trying to figure out how big of a unit I need.

 

[green.bubbly]

Thanks.

I've been looking at them on-line. I haven't found many with prices and those that do are either $600.00 or $1,000.00-$2,000.00. I'm still trying to figure out how big of a unit I need.

There are several A/C calculators online. Some are simple such as how many square feet. Others get into how many windows face which direction and how many light bulbs.

It also depends on how cold you want it to get and how often you will use it. The 12,000 btu unit I purchased is a little undersized for my 24x24 but I will not use it that often and I don't require it to be cold, just comfortable so I don't sweat like a pig. Humidity is the problem I deal with here in Louisiana so I kinda prefer a slightly undersized unit that will run longer to remove moisture.

I had a 6,500 btu in my last 16x16 shop and it did a great job.

 

[64dragnwagon]

The 8,000 btu unit will definatly "take the edge off" in your size garage BUT it will not make the garage cold just cool and less humid.

 

[Falcon67]

12K BTU in a 480 sq/ft, insulated

For a 700 with 12' ceilings, I'm thinking you need a 18~24K at least.

 

[paris_tj]

Check out Best Priced Mini Splits I have one of there 24k ones in my 1200 sq ft shop, and it works great, and cheap. Right at $1000 delivered with lineset.

 

[pattenp]

This is my A/C solution. I didn’t want the unit hanging out the wall and it wouldn’t fit into a window. It’s a 24,000 BTU unit and I hook it to my ceiling exhaust fan to vent outside. The intake is ducted to the window on a removable board that I can take out to close and lock the window when not in use.

 

[Falcon67]

Call that setup Octo-Air.

 

[oldgoat]

To tell the truth I still prefer the window unit through a wall to a mini split. When I was looking there was such a large cost difference, especially after including installation charges that I couldn't see the justification for it. After all with the window unit just make sure that it is big enough for what would probably be a replacement and you can easily slip one out and another one in. As long as a person takes a little time to trim it and make it look decent I don't see the problem with looks. But then again that is just me.

 

[Falcon67]

What oldgoat said. In the new building, I'm going to measure all the 12 to 24K units and make a hole for the largest, then use 4 1/2 wide trim in and out to fill any gaps around the one I end up with. That should leave wiggle room if the unit dies and gets replaced with one having slightly different dimensions. At 12K, they all pretty much are similar in size and can still squeeze into a 2-0 window, and should fit between my studs at 24" OC.

 

[6768rogues]

However you mount it, I would go large on the capacity. I found out when I pulled in a car that had been in the sun with a hot engine into my nice cool garage.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My buddy found an old 240V "window" A/C unit cheap on CL. Cut a hole. Instant A/C.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Some unsolicitied advice:

Although I have AC in my garage I rarely use it (maybe once a year).

For normal oprerations, I have a window fan mounted in one window on the one side of my garage, and I keep another window open about 10" to allow for air to come in. I have alarms on each window as well if they are tampered with, but certainly my solution does introduce a security risk.

My garage stays the same temperature as the outside with this solution.

Last night I was out there working for 3 hours and it was 94 at 95% humidity. Yeah...it sorta sucked, but I didn't have to pay Duke Energy too much for the privilege. I'm DREADING my next e-bill anyway. No use throwing salt on the wound.

If I was working out there as a job, making money, that could be used to pay the bill, I'd feel differently. But that's not what I'm doing.

Man it was oppressive though! But it isn't worth $10 a day for me to a/c the garage when the house a/c hasn't shut down in a week. That bill will be in the $400 range anyway.

Phil

 

[Cobra6]

My garage is 24' x 36' - I am going with the Amana AH183E35AXAA Through-the-wall (TTW) 17K BTUs
Here is one -
http://www.shophmac.com/amana-ah183e35axaa.html

 

[Morrisman]

You can put a window unit through a wall. You just have to be a little creative to not block the vent louvers on the sides of the unit.

I put an 18,000 BTU unit in my garage - through a brick veneer wall. I just made the opening on the outside several inches wider than the unit, then framed and finished the hole on the outside so the vents were clear.

All those 'window' units are designed to go through a wall. I don't think I have ever seen one actually fitted in a real window.