How much does it cost to cool down a garage?

[mpire]

So I have a typical 3 car garage that is around 20x30.

My brother made an interesting point, in that cooling down the garage is going to cost money every time I do it.

How much do you think it would take to cool down the garage for just one day?

Just wondering.

The Mini-split pilot program seems to be working out nicely, so the next step is to look into a 12k mini-split for the garage.

I am going to order some brushes to help seal the garage doors, then I guess its time to start shopping.

 

[flatwins]

I'd think it would vary on several factors, i.e. how much insulation is in the garage, what's energy costs in your area, etc. Good question though and one that I will eventually deal with myself. My 24x24 needs a bunch of insulation before I attempt to cool it. It might be with a big 'ol shop fan until I can get it insulated.

 

[Printer Mike]

Want a wild guess?

$15 a day...

Opening doors to drive in/out a couple of times.
90° Farenheit outside daytime temp.
75° Farenheit outside night time temp.
Thermostat set on 75.

Like I said, just a guess....

 

[Warrenator]

Probably not nearly $15 a day.... you can calculate it... Watts x Time On (in hours) x Cost per Kwh / 1000 I calculated my particular window unit, 12,000 BTU, fairly new, runs less than $10/month if I only use it to cool the garage 3 days a week.

 

[Kevin54]

You can do a lt to a garage to keep it cooler than just running AC. Insulation is the #1 item to keeping it cool. Make sure the attic is well insulated first, then the sidewalls. If you have windows, put mini blinds up to keep out any sunlight from coming in. Keep the doors shut as much as possible. If high humidity, you can run a dehumidifier. If you can find one, pick up an old furnace blower and motor (squirrel cage) to move air around inside the garage. Then as a last resort, kick on the AC.

In the hot summer months when it is around 90f out, I can keep my garage around 75f until late afternoon by just keeping things shut up. Not cool enough to hang meat, but at least it is more comfortable than having it the sdame temps as outside.

 

[mpire]

My garage is very simple.

It has concrete block on the left side with no insulation and no way to insulate, the rear wall is sheet-rock and insulated but its an interior wall, the right side is half interior wall and half block. The doors are insulated with pink insulation. The attic has a little insulation, but I would blow in some insulation as part of the A/C install. The attic over the garage is only a crawl space, not enough room to sand up.

 

[JayClay]

My garage is 24x32x10 and I have a new Kenmore 18,000 btu Ac unit. I've only run it 2 days during a few warmer days here in MD and I couldent see any difference in my electric bill. When it 100 in the shade and that thing is running everyday I'll get back to you.

Edite- Also Im over insulated as my father has pointed out several times........

 

[rickairmedic]

I cant really tell you what it will cost as its 68* in myu garage right now and its not costing me a dime . Granted its 52* outside right now as well .

You can insulate those block walls it will cost you roughly a foot of width on the garage as you will need to build 2X6 walls next to the block but it would allow you to add R19 to those walls .


Rick

 

[rburke65]

I think $6.93.

 

[draglink]

I think $6.93.

you're waaaay off-- $6.86

 

[mpire]

I was thinking more of a ballpark figure. But 10 bucks is well worth it.

 

[draglink]

I was thinking more of a ballpark figure. But 10 bucks is well worth it.

I have 2 motel type AC/heaters in my insulated 30x32, dont know BTU info on them. I run the AC when I know Im going to be working inside only....may run it as long as all weekend.....I have never noticed a difference in my power bill

 

[SeanM]

I think $6.93.

Why not just use foam board?

 

[Deltarat]

I have a 30x50 with 2 -24k window units. My bill in the heat of the summer 100* runs about $200.

 

[Falcon67]

My 12K BTU 10 EER window unit in the insulated 20x24 ran about 6 hours over an 8 hour span on a hot (90F+) day set on "3" and kept the temp in the high 70s. The cost for that at .10/KwH came to $0.72. 10 SEER should be 1200 watts/hr for 12K BTU. 6 hrs = 7200 watts x .10 per KwH = .72.

 

[ddrewyor]

You can find online calculators for a building heat\cooling loads. It goes by heating and cooling days in your area and the building's characteristics. I have a 30 x 40 that is insulated pretty well and I just run a dehumidifier on occasion when it is really humid out and it works decent. The only time it is warm in the garage is when we have had a string of hot weather and nights do not cool down much then it can get up to ~ 85. Other than that it rarely goes above ~75. Also, keeping the doors closed and only bringing cars and equipment in when it is cool really helps. I can really tell a big difference when I have pulled a car in that has been sitting in the sun for hours or it is up to running temperature. The thermal loading just kills the cool air in the building. An attic fan to get rid of the attic heat really helps also. Just make sure the supply air comes from soffit or gable vents. If it ***** the cool air out of your garage that's counter productive. I am in SE Michigan

Dave

 

[mpire]

My 12K BTU 10 EER window unit in the insulated 20x24 ran about 6 hours over an 8 hour span on a hot (90F+) day set on "3" and kept the temp in the high 70s. The cost for that at .10/KwH came to $0.72. 10 SEER should be 1200 watts/hr for 12K BTU. 6 hrs = 7200 watts x .10 per KwH = .72.

Now that's some good info to have.

Thanks!

 

[Jackfre]

Is that a picture of am M Coupe consol?

 

[mpire]

Is that a picture of am M Coupe consol?

Yes, in fact it is.

I have 2 coupes and a roadster. I think I am addicted.

 

[Jackfre]

Yes, in fact it is.

I have 2 coupes and a roadster. I think I am addicted.

My favorite car(s)...well except for the one I have, a '74 2002 Turbo. Mines been fully restored so I no longer have it. It has me

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Florida heat. Two-car garage. The garage door is insulated. One wall is block to the outside, another wall is to the inside, and the third is half exterior, half to the inside. The attic above the garage is used for storage and has squat for insulation.

I have a 12k window mount unit adapted to fit the block wall. I run the system four days on, four days off. I turn it off each night. I run it at 77*. I don't put cars in the garage....it is all shop. The garage door is opened rarely, perhaps to bring in materials or vent for welding.

It costs me maybe $25.00 a month to enjoy my shop in cool comfort.

You have a three-car garage. I'm planning for one of those....eventually. My plan is this: I am going to take the single bay and build a wall within the garage to separate it from the rest of the shop. This way, I can cool my garage/shop, and the wife can park her car in the walled off bay, which will not be cooled.....you could flip that plan around and cool the single bay while parking cars in the double bay. I would even consider an additional AC unit just for the double bay for working on the cars in comfort....perhaps an 8k unit in the single, and a 12k unit in the double.

Cool your space. You won't regret it

 

[mpire]

I have one garage queen, one beater (that everyone thinks is a garage queen) and the wife has a roadster because verts are girls cars.