Anyone use a window mount AC unit in their garage?

[Ramrod39]

I know my timing is a little out of sync for many of you, but I'm thinking of the hot months ahead here in Arizona.

Anyone use a window mount AC unit in their garage/shop? I've always used window mount swamp coolers in my shops but I'm thinking of trying an AC unit in my 480 square foot, uninsulated shop. It has a peaked, truss-supported roof that is probably 14-15 feet tall at the peak. Height to teh bottom of the trusses is about 9.5 feet.

I've been looking at 115 volt units on line (no 230 in this shop) and see some are rated at about 15,000 BTU/hr. Think this will be better than a 4500 CFM swamp coooler in this application and climate (Tucson)?

 

[Gary S]

AC is always better than a swamp cooler. If your garage is insulated well enough, an AC unit would help a lot. You might want an additional fan to mix the air around.
I have a 11,000 BTU window unit in my garage. My garage is well insulated, but it is 1150 sq ft, and that 11k isn't enough. It really helps however.

 

[bonneyman]

I have a small 6K AC on my little home shop. Doesn't make it comfortable, but it makes the shop bearable during the hot summer months of Arizona. Used to be the shop was not useable from June 1 to Sept 1.

 

[Scoutman]

Can you put in a ceiling at the bottom of the trusses to keep the heat up and the space to cool down?

 

[spongerich]

I see air conditioners at auctions all the time for < $15. I've been seriously considering picking up a few to cool my barn off in the summer. I've got a window right behind my compressor and was thinking that blowing some cool dry air across it can't be a bad thing.

 

[Ramrod39]

Can you put in a ceiling at the bottom of the trusses to keep the heat up and the space to cool down?

The center of the lower truss level is covered with plywood. I use the space up there for storage. Still a lot of room for the air to mix on the sides....maybe half the area?

 

[Ramrod39]

I have a small 6K AC on my little home shop. Doesn't make it comfortable, but it makes the shop bearable during the hot summer months of Arizona. Used to be the shop was not useable from June 1 to Sept 1.

How big is your shop?

 

[glntom]

I know my timing is a little out of sync for many of you, but I'm thinking of the hot months ahead here in Arizona.

Anyone use a window mount AC unit in their garage/shop? I've always used window mount swamp coolers in my shops but I'm thinking of trying an AC unit in my 480 square foot, uninsulated shop. It has a peaked, truss-supported roof that is probably 14-15 feet tall at the peak. Height to teh bottom of the trusses is about 9.5 feet.

I've been looking at 115 volt units on line (no 230 in this shop) and see some are rated at about 15,000 BTU/hr. Think this will be better than a 4500 CFM swamp coooler in this application and climate (Tucson)?

I run one of this type ac units in my 1000 square foot shop here in arkansas.
My shop does have some insulation , but is by no means well insulated.
During the summer,my 15000 Btu unit keeps the temp under 80 alll the time and under 78 most days.

 

[Falcon67]

12K BTU 110V. 20x24x8 shop. Inside mid 70s or mid 80s with roof temps around 160F. 15K ought to do you with the taller ceiling maybe.

 

[General Lee]

I have a 14,000 BTU 110V window unit in my 28x28. It is insulated though. It does the job for me, I can keep at 72-75 but I don't run it 24/7. If I plan on being in the garage for a weekend or my days off I'll keep it on. It doesn't take long to cool the place after the AC has been off.

 

[Deltarat]

I run 2- 25k units in my 30x 50 shop.

 

[chief ben]

I have used a lot of window units in some of my rent houses before I sold all of them, and I have used them in some of my shops over the years, your best bet is 220 units, 220 is cheaper to run than 110 units,
But if you don't have good insulation in the walls and overhead it will cost you an Arm & Lag to cool it, if you own the garage it would pay you to insulate it real good, and the Older you get, the cooler you will want it,

 

[nehog]

Buddy up the street with a shop the same size (footage) uses a mid-sized A/C unit and he loves it. He does, however, live in his shop (uses it commercially in his sign business) so comfort is important to him. Me, on the other hand, have the same sized A/C unit, and have not installed it because I've never felt that the shop was that hot.

 

[m289271]

I use a small one in my insulated 2-car and it definitely helps. It's not great, but it helps.

 

[bill9860]

13000 btu window unit in my apprx 680 sq ft well insulated detached garage. seems perfect

 

[Jackfre]

Thru the wall/window unit have one drawback. Security! Sorry, two drawbacks. Noisey! The upgrade on AC and heat in this case is to look at the Mini-split HP units. Very high efficiency and about silent. Fujitsu, Mitsu, Daikin are the top brands. I do Fujitsu.

 

[CreekRat]

Doesn't the security drawback depend on where you're installing the unit?

If you're cutting a man sized hole in a solid wall then yeah, I guess that could be considered a security issue. Now if your just sticking an A/C into an window opening then I'd say you've had an issue all a long.


Sure a window A/C makes some noise but when I'm in my garage it's not to take a nap. I'm definitely going to be making some noise of my own, something a LOT more noise. It's all a compromise but until I see a mini-splits stacked on the Walmart aisle for less and $150 I'll stick with my window unit and just pull it out every fall.

 

[GreyOwl]

Thru the wall/window unit have one drawback. Security! Sorry, two drawbacks. Noisey! The upgrade on AC and heat in this case is to look at the Mini-split HP units. Very high efficiency and about silent. Fujitsu, Mitsu, Daikin are the top brands. I do Fujitsu.

I think this depends on the mounting method. Mine is in a framed opening with the outer shell screwed to the frame on all 4 sides. It was solid enough to sit on before I slid in the main unit. It would be much easier to cut a hole in the wall than come through the AC hole. Mine runs on low most of the time and keeps my shop (560+ sf)very comfortable while being not any noisier than a fan. Mine is a 35-40 year old Sears 220 unit 21000 btu that was in my wife's parents house before I got it.
Charles

 

[NovaRacR]

Just upgraded mine from a 12K Kenmore to this....22.5K Frigidare 110V.

Shop is 24 x 28 with 8 ft. ceilings.

Works much better than the old one, takes about 30 minutes to get it from mid 80's to mid 60's on a hot summer afternoon.

WB

 

[Jackfre]

Doesn't the security drawback depend on where you're installing the unit?

If you're cutting a man sized hole in a solid wall then yeah, I guess that could be considered a security issue. Now if your just sticking an A/C into an window opening then I'd say you've had an issue all a long.

In todays world, security just needs to be mentioned. Cutting a large hole in the wall can present some issues


Sure a window A/C makes some noise but when I'm in my garage it's not to take a nap. I'm definitely going to be making some noise of my own, something a LOT more noise. It's all a compromise but until I see a mini-splits stacked on the Walmart aisle for less and $150 I'll stick with my window unit and just pull it out every fall.

There are shops/garages...and then there are shops/garages. I've been in some nicer than my house Mini-split prices are falling. The Chinese versions are coming in numbers in the next couple years and they will be significantly cheaper, maybe in more ways than one. The difficulty with diy mini's is the refrigerant and the necessary tools. Not to say it can't be done, but HD and Lowe's will probably offer the same installs as water heaters.

 

[JayClay]

Its funny to see this thread. I've been thinking about summer also and have since been insulating like crazy. I have a pole building so its alot of insulation. Currently Im builing a ceiling against the bottom of the trusses with 2x6s. Once I've got everything insulated and drywalled I'll be using a 18K 220v unit. The shop is 24x32 -10'.

 

[ambenz]

I have a window facing the house on my detached garage.
I was also thinking on getting a Walmart special unit for my 660 square 10 ft ceiling garage.
Thanks for the pics and post. Got my wheels turning!!!