Air conditioning solutions

[kdubaz]

Ok I live in Phoenix, and it's hot as hell right now. 110 in the shade, and I've got to get some stuff done on my garage.

Now I've tried swamp coolers before, but I just sweated up a storm with those. Big fans don't seem economical. Any ideas to help me out? Thanks.

 

[Luckydevil]

Check these out... http://www.air-n-water.com/portable-air-conditioners.htm

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

I am using a window unit. It has been in the mid 90's here and works fine.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Down here, the temperature stays in the 90's throughout the summer, but the relative humididy ranges between 90 and 100%. So, while you see higher temperatures, we would kill for your lower humidity. Sweat is supposed to cool you by evaporating, but at 100% RH, it just makes things worse.
Anyway, I have two small window units in my garage. When I want to cool things down quickly, I run both, but usually I just run one. I wonder how I ever got along without them.

 

[OH-MAN]

I know what you are feeling. I only have two high velocity 20" fans
I was looking at some window type AC units at lowes and may have to look into one later.
I agree the low RH is better but it starts to go up in july and august.
I could not handle what you folks in 90/90 areas put up with. Went to Cali a couple weeks ago and 70 degrees and standing on the pier I was sweating.
No thanks man.

 

[kdubaz]

Yeah if I had windows, it might be a different story. I'm in a 20X20 garage, and it's rough.

I might consider those a/c units, but I'll tell ya, $400+ is a grip for me to drop on that right now, esp. if it doesn't work as advertised. I'd kinda like to know if someone has one in AZ and see how well it actually works in practice.

 

[trovato]

Yeah, those portable units always seemed too expensive. What are your garage walls made of? Mounting an AC through the wall isn't that big of a deal, if it's wood frame construction. Of course, the outside appearance may be an issue as well. Any air conditioning solution, portable or not, is going to have to have some access to the outside. The heat has to go somewhere.

 

[BetterDays]

Speaking of putting it through a wall, would lower on the wall be better (as opposed to window height)?

I may be in the same situation (window not big enough for A/C Unit) and I may end up cutting the wall and making it permanent.

 

[trovato]

Well, because heat rises, the usual strategy is to put heat down low and AC up high. Because an air conditioner blows the air out, it really doesn't make all that much difference. If the unit is low and you aim the output air up high, everything should mix around pretty well. The biggest problem with putting it low is that the air flow will likely be blocked by "stuff". I would go for the most convenient spot with the fewest obstructions to air flow.

 

[BetterDays]

Well, I have the typical 50's style garage
2 car, 20 x 20.
In the truss, I have plywood for storage.

So, a lot of air up top is lost to heat and soon to AC.

Maybe roof level and use the overhang from the gutter to protect the AC Unit?

 

[trovato]

Well, heat rises, so you do lose a lot up high. That's why you see ceiling fans up in warehouses and such. Cool air, however, wants to stay low. In this case, the stratification that occurs is considered a good thing. It's common in large commercial spaces to engineer the HVAC to only cool the bottom 15 feet or so, and let the upper air be warm. This is the strategy typical in huge spaces like airports and such. Now, back to your garage. The unit does not need protecting. It is made to be exposed to weather. I think you may be "over thinking" this a bit. Units installed in windows and under windows work just fine. I would pick a spot that is unobstructed. I would probably like to be able to reach the controls. You need a place to plug it in. I don't think the exact placement will matter much in performance.

 

[kartracer55]

Go to walmart or something and pick up two cheap window units. Make sure each is rated to cool your area, and this way, by having twice the power you need, yoyu will not have to worry abouyt the lack of insulation.

Oh, wont your electric bill for july be fun lol

Jim

 

[BetterDays]

My only concern is that it would not come out during the winter. Obviously, I do not want it buried in the snow in the middle of winter.

Hopefully, it will fit in the window. Unfortunately, the windows do not open, so I would need to make the situation work (replace with plexiglass, etc.)

 

[trovato]

I have a unit I installed through the wall in my bedroom about 20 years ago. I don't use it much, because we have since installed central air. It still works fine though. It doesn't get "buried in snow" but it certainly gets rained on, snowed on and whatever else nature feels like dropping on it. I don't cover the outside part, or do anything at all to protect it. It manages to hang in there just fine.

 

[ford guy]

Speaking of putting it through a wall, would lower on the wall be better (as opposed to window height)?

I may be in the same situation (window not big enough for A/C Unit) and I may end up cutting the wall and making it permanent.

I just installed a second window ac unit last weekend, since the first one never really kept my 25 X 40 garage cool enough for me. I decided to cut a hole in the wall opposite the other ac unit, and installed it high enough that I wouldn't smack my head on it if I happened to be outside the garage. Unfourtnatly this won't help now, but I bought my second ac unit last winter, and of course the price was ALOT cheaper.
Bob

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

Go to walmart or something and pick up two cheap window units. Make sure each is rated to cool your area, and this way, by having twice the power you need, yoyu will not have to worry abouyt the lack of insulation.

Oh, wont your electric bill for july be fun lol

Jim

I got mine at Sam's Club for fathers day from the wife and kids. I believe it was around $130.00 and rated for a 400 sq ft room. It came with a remote and timer. I used it this week when the temp. hit 97 and worked great.

 

[BetterDays]

My concern was mounting it too low (as I mentioned buried in snow). We had over 110" of snow last year.. 22" in one day.

I will need to cut a hole in the wall for the AC, so now I am rethinking my options.
This was the free option.