Garage Ventilation

[Ferrino]

Since starting to keep 2 vehicles in our double garage recently, it's been getting pretty hot in there from all the radiating heat. I'm also a little concerned about the vapors that build up in there (both from the cars and from working in there), considering it's next to our kitchen.

I was therefore thinking it would be nice to install a couple of fans to move some of the air out and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, please?

There is a small attic space, but I would rather not place the fan in the roof and would instead like to place them in the walls (drywall interior, stucco exterior).

Can you arrange the fans such that one is an intake and the other an exhaust? I read that having exhaust fans without another means of intaking fresh air (I'd like it to run with the door closed) wouldn't work well.

Thanks!

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Can you arrange the fans such that one is an intake and the other an exhaust? I read that having exhaust fans without another means of intaking fresh air (I'd like it to run with the door closed) wouldn't work well.

Sounds about right to me. You should be able to find some fans that are wall mountable, just have a grille on both sides. You don't necessarily need an active intake fan, you just need a hole somewhere for air to come in.

 

[Kevin54]

Furnace blower. Just crack the door a hair and let it run. May be a little on the noisy side though for some.

 

[Jackfre]

www.tjernlund.com Check out the Xchanger. Look at the volume of the space, compare it to the cfm of the fans. The thing about he Xchanger is you can vary the air flow to your needs, one in one out, both out and both in, simply by grabbing the fan handle and reversing its position.

 

[Stuart in MN]

You don't necessarily need two fans - just one fan pulling air out, with an air intake (a louver, or an open door or window) of some type on the opposite wall, should do the trick. Try to arrange it so you're pulling in outside air from the north side or shaded side of the garage.

 

[Ferrino]

Thanks. Can anyone please recommend some specific wall-mounted fans? That Xchanger fan looks too pricey, unfortunately. Looking for something simple, under $100?

How about this one (350 CFM):

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200444853_200444853

Or this one (525 CFM):

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200459661_200459661

I estimate the volume of our double garage to be around 4,300 cubic feet, so the 350 CFM unit would replace the air every 12 minutes, and about 8 minutes for the 525 CFM model.

 

[rfloz]

Several years ago I bought an 18" exhaust fan from Home Depot and had the wife's cousin (a supposed electrician) install it near the ceiling on an outside wall. It works great and my garage is about 7300 cubic feet - 20'x20'x18'.

There was a screened vent near the floor already in an outside wall, about 6" x 16" and it provides plenty of intake air. When I turn on the fan I can feel an immediate breeze from the vent. It's a big help on hot days or if I am tuning a car or something that creates fumes in the garage.

Point being, you don't need a giant fan or intake and one fan will be fine.

Te only problem with my fan is the cousin installed the thermostatic control (a very nice feature) next to the fan - 16' above the floor! So, I have to use the regugar on/off switch which is a little lower.

Sorry, I don't remember the price or brand, but it was inexpensive, maybe $30.00. I got two and put one in the attic. I did that one myself and, yes, I can reach the controller!

 

[Ferrino]

Thanks, I think I'll go with one exhaust fan and one screened intake vent. Something I hadn't asked about is noise - how loud do these fans get?

 

[Ferrino]

With Summer around the corner again, I'm reminded of this job I never got around to and am very keen to get an intake vent and exhaust fan set up! I'm basically going to place one intake near the floor on the north-facing wall of the garage and an electric exhaust fan at the top of the south-facing wall.

Something I'm a bit nervous about is cutting holes in our stucco-surfaced exterior for the intake and exhaust. What's the best way to cut holes of this size, please? I'm worried about taking out a large chunk of stucco without the right tools/method!

 

[pipsters]

That is a good idea for the summer. I notice my garage heats up a LOT in the summer and when the cars come in from work and you close the door it gets really hot, which heats up the living area above. At night temps are mid 60's but air in the garage is (guess) 80's.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

What you are looking for is a gable exhaust fan.

Try this one at 1629 CFM for $109:
1620 CFM fan

Or this one at 1320 CFM for $82
1320 CFM fan

 

[oldno3fan]

Furnace blower. Just crack the door a hair and let it run. May be a little on the noisy side though for some.

i got a furnace blower thought about trying a fan box deal make it portable

 

[wnstwolf]

X$ on the Gable exhaust fan. Just finished it in Sunday. Octagon gable vent and fan at Low*'S for $125. had to get wire so that drove up the cost but completed it in 2 hours in the loft that was 115 degrees really it was when I started (metal roof no insulation). Turned fan on at 1:30 on Sunday and at 4:30 the loft was 76 degrees. Set point on the stat is 80 degrees and was not running on tuesday afternoon even though it was warm out but over cast. Bottom line air movement is great and install was easy after I cut the hole in the metal siding urgh!

 

[peterp]

I was looking for the exact same thing for a garage with a vintage car that has a lot of fumes after driving. I put an inquiry into www.globalindustrial.com and, kudos to them, they spent a lot of time researching to come back with a very clean solution. It mounts on the outside wall with flap vents that close when not on. It requires a 12" cutout for the wall for the round fan. The part number at globalindustrial.com is #549098. It isn't listed on their website because this is a special order device, but it looks perfect to me and I thought the quote of $139 was pretty reasonable. The photo they sent me is below -- I don't have any more info or photos, but it looks like a very clean solution. I have to find someone to install it before I order, so I don't have first-hand experience with it in use.

 

[wnstwolf]

Can't beat it for the price. Just make sure you check/compare CFM's that is the key here

 

[5lima30]

In my garage I have R-30 batts in the ceiling which is corrugated metal roofing. I have a 16"x 24" vent on the South side gable. One the North end I have a 14" gable vent fan w/ themostat. This set-up will keep the garage at a comfortable 69F-72F on an 80F day. So I would definitely reccomend good attic insulation coupled with a themostatic gable vent fan.

 

[coolreed]

This is what I use to ventilate the Lazy J garage. It is extremely powerful and moves alot of air. Salvaged it out of an old heat/air system from a remodel.
Made a 2x4 base and wired it for 120 VAC and added a switch.

With regard to heat from your cars in the summer. Do not pull your car directly in the garage after coming home. Let it sit outside for at least 30 minutes then pull it in the garage. Otherwise, all that heat from your car will radiate into your house/garage.

Stay Kuul.

 

[bigdav160]

Something I'm a bit nervous about is cutting holes in our stucco-surfaced exterior for the intake and exhaust. What's the best way to cut holes of this size, please? I'm worried about taking out a large chunk of stucco without the right tools/method!

A grinder and a diamond cut off wheel.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Just don't smoke in there!

Jim

 

[Falcon67]

A whole list at global:
http://www.globalindustrial.com/g/hvac/exhaust-fans/exhaust-and-supply/exhaust-fan-shutter

I'm going to get a 24" floor fan (usually $99 at HD) and turn it into a "whole shop" fan, mounted in the ceiling like a house fan. Just have to find or make some louvers for it. In the mean time, this is why I put two 2'x3' windows in the car area. A couple of cheap 20" box fans work well so far.

 

[peterp]

A whole list at global:
http://www.globalindustrial.com/g/hvac/exhaust-fans/exhaust-and-supply/exhaust-fan-shutter

Thanks for finding this. It's great to see the specs for different models.

 

[Ferrino]

A grinder and a diamond cut off wheel.

Thanks! What size grinder/wheel do you think I'd need to get through the stucco and have enough clearance to get it at a right-angle to the wall? I only have a 4.5" one, so may have to hire something larger?

 

[Ferrino]

Sorry, I have another question about this style of exhaust fan:

When inserting the fan into the space between the drywall and the exterior stucco, doesn't the air get blown into the space between the studs (as well as to the outside)? I don't have any insulation between the studding in my garage. Would it be best to "frame" the section of the fan that lies between the surfaces with some 2x4s, such that all of the air gets pushed to the outside?

 

[Falcon67]

Yes, you should frame and caulk the opening.

 

[Ferrino]

Thanks!

I assume I could mount this in my 4.5" angle grinder and it would work well?

http://www.amazon.com/MK-Diamond-159406-Segmented-Concrete/dp/B000BPQREW/ref=sr_1_11?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1338400167&sr=1-11

 

[Ferrino]

Hi Peter - have you ordered this fan yet? How do the shutters work - do they automatically open and close with the operation of the fan or do you need to manually open/close them? Obviously with insects etc. they should be closed when not in operation! Thankyou.

I was looking for the exact same thing for a garage with a vintage car that has a lot of fumes after driving. I put an inquiry into www.globalindustrial.com and, kudos to them, they spent a lot of time researching to come back with a very clean solution. It mounts on the outside wall with flap vents that close when not on. It requires a 12" cutout for the wall for the round fan. The part number at globalindustrial.com is #549098. It isn't listed on their website because this is a special order device, but it looks perfect to me and I thought the quote of $139 was pretty reasonable. The photo they sent me is below -- I don't have any more info or photos, but it looks like a very clean solution. I have to find someone to install it before I order, so I don't have first-hand experience with it in use.

 

[peterp]

Hi Peter - have you ordered this fan yet? How do the shutters work - do they automatically open and close with the operation of the fan or do you need to manually open/close them? Obviously with insects etc. they should be closed when not in operation! Thankyou.

I have not ordered the fan yet. My wife doesn't like the fumes, but she also doesn't like the idea of punching a hole in the garage and adding this to the outside of the house. For now, I've been leaving the garage door open for 30 minutes after driving the vintage car and that seems to be a 90% solution. I will post an update if we do decide to move forward.

I'm not sure how the shutters work, but my (complete) guess is that the shutters open automatically from air pressure and close when off. You may want to contact Global to confirm that. They seem to be pretty good at following up on questions and researching if they don't know the answer immediately.

 

[Ferrino]

Thanks. I ended up going with a different company - they had a powerful 3-speed 12" fan and were able to answer all my questions instantly. I picked up this model for $117:

http://www.rewci.com/shutter-fan-with-cord-12-inch-indoor-outdoor.html

It will do from 550 - 1,100 CFM according to the specs.

I'm also conscious about spoiling the look of the exterior and one sacrifice I may have to make is to place it on the north-face of the garage, which is not seen as you enter the house (it would obviously be better to draw air in from the shaded north side). I don't think it will make too much difference though.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

i would think theres enough area around your garage door that you wont need an intake vent.

 

[Falcon67]

Here's what I ended up with - $110, 1600 CFM - mounted in the attic to pull air from the parking area. And, maybe reduce attic heat. I used two 8 x 14 vents so I could close it off to keep heat from bleeding down the hole. And it looks cleaner than a big hole or trap door.

Like those shutter fans - might have done that instead. Like the speeds. This one has only one speed. But good 'nuff for now.

 

[TX63CONV]

i would think theres enough area around your garage door that you wont need an intake vent.

I was wondering the same thing and was considering mounting a ceiling fan in the garage to move air....

I dont necessarily have the same problem as OP regarding fumes as I have a project car in my garage currently.

 

[admranger]

I've been thinking of adding some ventilation in my garage. It gets stinking hot in there, especially after pulling a hot car in. Last night it was 104 deg. F as we both had driven that day and two hot cars radiating extra heat on a 105 deg F day. Garage is insulated, but it has vents (gas water heater in the garage) so intake air won't be a problem.

Now to figure out how to make it invisible so the homeowners association goons don't take me away...

 

[911mike]

Keep in mind fumes are heavier than air so if your wanting to get rid of exhaust fumes and gas fumes draw from the floor. If you want to reduce heat then exhaust from the ceiling and intake from the floor area.

 

[Matt M PA]

As I wrote in another thread, I installed a Broan fan, and used their jalousie type shutters on the outside. It had to be framed on the inside, but the shutters mounted flush on the outside.

If I were looking to vent the garage..I'd consider vents in the ceiling to the attic...then place an exhaust fan in the attic. In my opinion, you want the heat out...not just moved. Just my .02.

 

[Ferrino]

OK, I've now taken delivery of the fan and am about to install. Given the weight, I'm a little hesitant to have the whole assembly held in by screwing into the stucco alone. I think I'm going to frame around the fan with 2x4s and screw the fan into the frame, not the stucco. The problem is that the holes for attaching the assembly are only maybe 3/4" from the edge of the hole in the stucco - it seems this is too thin a gap for screws to go into the stucco and not crumble away.

 

[bad_idea]

Falcon,

Was that fan intended for mounting in a wall? If so, the bearings in the fan motor probably aren't rated to be used mounted vertically. If you already knew this, please forgive me.

 

[Ferrino]

Thanks for all the help. I managed to get the fan mounted and, as suggested, it seems to draw a healthy amount of fresh air in through the gaps around the garage door (I intend to seal those gaps eventually though)! I'd therefore still like to install a small intake vent at the bottom of the wall on the opposite side of the garage and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to use? Would something like this work OK?

http://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Manufacturing-PAT-4W-4-Inch-Premium/dp/B002FB65JC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1341955667&sr=1-1&keywords=intake+hood

 

[bad_idea]

You want an intake with a swing check in it. Like your dryer vent. A flapper that swings open when intake suction is applied, and drops closed when suction is removed. This will help with keeping climate control in the garage when the exhaust fan isn't in use.

 

[Ferrino]

Here's another question, concerning wiring. The fan comes with a 9' power cable that has a 15A 3-pin plug attached, for connection to a regular power outlet. What I would like to do is have an in-wall timer (the type that slots into a 1-gang box and lies flush with the wall) that I can press for 5 or 10 minutes of power, and then switches off. I've learned that the power cable they supply is not suitable for running through a wall, so I can't just cut off the 3-pin plug and direct-wire it to the in-wall timer. So can I take one of these and connect it to a duplex/single power outlet, such that the outlet (and therefore whatever is plugged into it) is controlled by the timer?

 

[wnstwolf]

While I can not blame Peter for my spending another $140 in the barn I have to thank him...

I have a gable vent in the upper area of the barn to help move out very warm summer air but in the lower space I have it broken down into bays and the wood shop bay was very hot this summer as there is little air movement and it is somewhat closed off from the rest of the areas in an effort to try and limit wood dust migration. Well I installed a fan as peter showed and have to say even with the ceiling still needing to be closed in this fan on high created noticeable air movement and I am sure once the space is enclosed the 400 sq/ft area will be negative pressure. Thanks for the ideas guys and could you please stop before my wife bans me from this place!

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