Looking for solution to cool down my garage

[ek4 hatchback]

Hi,

I am looking for solution to cool down my garage, i live in HK which is very different than US. The weather here is hot and humid, in the summer time it get up to 33 to 35 degree C with humidity in 80-90%. It is very easy to overheat, one time i was working on my car chnaging the interior with fan blowing. I still got overheated, i think i almost die that time. After than i bought an AC and put it on the cart but it is taking up space and not very convenience. I am thinking to mount it on the window but i need to insulation the un-inusulated side of the garage first. So here is my garage, it is L shape and i have 3 cars parked and trying to tide up, please excuse for my mess.

This side of roof is insulated when it was built,

This side of roof is NOT insulated, it is just metal sheet roof,

The un-insulated side get very hot especially in the summer with the sun, it can get up to 35-40C inside. I am thinking to buy some foam board to put up inside the garage roof. As see in the photo i shall be able to slide-in those foam board on the roof beam. Any suggestion? Thanks!

 

[slimcake]

Spray foam that and install a mini-split ac system?

 

[firworks]

You could add foam board, but the resistance value for that type of insulation is typically very low. Is the space above, below or to the sides of that garage cooled as well? Your issue might not be solely insulation but that air conditioner looks small for that large of a space, especially with the heat you are talking about. Also I assume the exhaust from that air conditioner is leaving your garage space right? It goes through a duct to the outside rather than exhausting into the space you are trying to cool?

Also... is that an NSX?? Have any more pictures of it?

 

[ek4 hatchback]

Spray foam that and install a mini-split ac system?

As in my part of world i never heard of spray foam as it is not common. Most of HKer live in high rise building with concrete wall. But i will look into it locally. Thanks.

You could add foam board, but the resistance value for that type of insulation is typically very low. Is the space above, below or to the sides of that garage cooled as well? Your issue might not be solely insulation but that air conditioner looks small for that large of a space, especially with the heat you are talking about. Also I assume the exhaust from that air conditioner is leaving your garage space right? It goes through a duct to the outside rather than exhausting into the space you are trying to cool?

Also... is that an NSX?? Have any more pictures of it?

I am not sure what is the thermal resistance of foam board, thanks for remind that i am searching around for insulating material / board to block the heat. I originally use that AC to move around the garage and use shower curtains to block off some area. But found it too trouble and the AC is taking up space. So i wanted to mount it to the window now and the exhaust would be outside the garage. I will still use shower curtain to block off some area as the AC is not big enough to cool the whole garage. Do you know what type of foam board / insulation board i shall look for? Thanks.

Here is my 92 NSX, enjoy!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

If its in direct sunlight, metal absorbs hea very well and efficiently re radiates it on the inside. If you can get it out of the sun, you can both make it more bearable, and reduce the load on your air conditioner at the same time.
Some possiblities
paint outside white or silver.
Get some trees around it(or maybe there are).
Hang an awning or shade cloth over it.
Add some vent at the top to let some heat back out
If it's in the budget, a second metal rooffar enough above to allow good airflow between, an it wold be like it is always in the shade. Old landrovers are built this way for hot environments.

 

[Marctrees]

ek4 - Your weather is very similar to the extreme southern states of USA, nothing different.

I live in that climate in Southern Texas.

You need to insulate in the manner that is customary where you live, for best value.

Just cause we have some product here, if you do not have it readily available, there is no point to learn about it.

You are not the first guy in your neighborhood that needed to insulate their garage.

Do what others do THERE, where you live.


And ANY and ALL AC needs to have the heat exhausted outside the "building envelope"

You understand the importance of that, yes?

You have something "on a cart", I do not see it, but I will say "portable" AC units are first of all too small for your space, secondly are VERY VERY VERY innefficient for various reasons.

Basically, except for a few very small situations, a marketing deceiving joke.

And in ALL cases, need the heat vented outside, but even then they are very poor because they will **** outside air in through somewhere, to equal the volume that is being exhausted.

So, that's generally the main reason "portables" are very very poor performers.

UNLESS it is a TWO hose unit, but still WAY too small for your garage.

NO other AC does that, whether "window AC", or "mini split" or full size ducted "central AC" units.

Insulate as good as you can,and for occasional use the curtain idea you have used is better than nothing.

Just get a properly sized what we call "window Air Conditioner" and make a neat installation hole in the wall for it.

Nice vehicles !!!!!!

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

In the NSX photo, I notice you have a lot of light leaking around the overhead door, so, hence, air leaks.

Try to figure out a way to minimize that.

Does not have to be perfect, but the less leakage, the better. Marc

 

[JerryC]

If cooling the entire garage is too much work/money/time consider cooling just a "work area". You could use temporary partitions or curtains (tarps maybe) to close a smaller area that could be more easily cooled.

 

[American Locomotive]

If cooling the entire garage is too much work/money/time consider cooling just a "work area". You could use temporary partitions or curtains (tarps maybe) to close a smaller area that could be more easily cooled.

He said he already tried that and doesn't want to do that anymore.

I also suggest insulating the the other half, and then installing a mini-split AC system.

 

[yeldogt]

What else other than a mini split? Turn it on when needed.

I have HK envy .... I always wanted a posting in HK. I did travel there often -- working for weeks .. but never a resident>

 

[Marctrees]

yeldogt - Curious why you say "What else other than a mini split?"

Seems to me a through wall "window" AC appropriately sized would be WAY cheaper and simpler to install.

Even though may be more efficient, he will probably by far not end up long term getting a better ROI.

Marc

 

[yeldogt]

yeldogt - Curious why you say "What else other than a mini split?"

Seems to me a through wall "window" AC appropriately sized would be WAY cheaper and simpler to install.

Even though may be more efficient, he will probably by far not end up long term getting a better ROI.

Marc

He is in HK --- very common.

 

[Marctrees]

Gotcha, makes even more sense then. Marc

 

[ek4 hatchback]

If its in direct sunlight, metal absorbs hea very well and efficiently re radiates it on the inside. If you can get it out of the sun, you can both make it more bearable, and reduce the load on your air conditioner at the same time.
Some possiblities
paint outside white or silver.
Get some trees around it(or maybe there are).
Hang an awning or shade cloth over it.
Add some vent at the top to let some heat back out
If it's in the budget, a second metal rooffar enough above to allow good airflow between, an it wold be like it is always in the shade. Old landrovers are built this way for hot environments.

Thanks for your suggestion, the roof top is already in white color. The roof just get very hot from direct sun light, it can get my finger burn if i touch the roof on the inside. I like your idea on double roof but my unstair neighbor won't like that idea as it create alot of noise when raining. It may sound strange to you about that upstair neighbor. I live the so call village house in HK, it is 3 story height, i only own the ground floor.

ek4 - Your weather is very similar to the extreme southern states of USA, nothing different.

I live in that climate in Southern Texas.

You need to insulate in the manner that is customary where you live, for best value.

Just cause we have some product here, if you do not have it readily available, there is no point to learn about it.

You are not the first guy in your neighborhood that needed to insulate their garage.

Do what others do THERE, where you live.


And ANY and ALL AC needs to have the heat exhausted outside the "building envelope"

You understand the importance of that, yes?

You have something "on a cart", I do not see it, but I will say "portable" AC units are first of all too small for your space, secondly are VERY VERY VERY innefficient for various reasons.

Basically, except for a few very small situations, a marketing deceiving joke.

And in ALL cases, need the heat vented outside, but even then they are very poor because they will **** outside air in through somewhere, to equal the volume that is being exhausted.

So, that's generally the main reason "portables" are very very poor performers.

UNLESS it is a TWO hose unit, but still WAY too small for your garage.

NO other AC does that, whether "window AC", or "mini split" or full size ducted "central AC" units.

Insulate as good as you can,and for occasional use the curtain idea you have used is better than nothing.

Just get a properly sized what we call "window Air Conditioner" and make a neat installation hole in the wall for it.

Nice vehicles !!!!!!

Marc

Thanks for your comment Marc,

I regret not getting the insulated roof when that half of roof was built so i stuck with it now. I am not willing to rebuild that roof so i am now trying to insulate it. When it was first built it was not as bad as i left about 10 feet x 10 feet area open (no roof) but now due to 3 cars i have completely closed that open area so all the heat stuck inside as i only left about 1 feet gap around the 10 feet x 10 feet area to breath which is not enough.

As for the portable air conditioner, it was the idea to push around as i plan to block off those area i plan to air condition. When i do it i would separate the indoor and outdoor part of the air conditioner otherwise it would not work. The garage is too big to completely air condition, i will only air condition the area when i plan to work on my car. The air condition i have now is 1.5 horsepower (that is how we call it in HK), i checked the specification it is 12,310BTU/h. I know it is not big enough, it is only good for may 300 square feet.

In the NSX photo, I notice you have a lot of light leaking around the overhead door, so, hence, air leaks.

Try to figure out a way to minimize that.

Does not have to be perfect, but the less leakage, the better. Marc

You got good eye on the water mark, i will try to seal it better!

 

[ek4 hatchback]

What else other than a mini split? Turn it on when needed.

I have HK envy .... I always wanted a posting in HK. I did travel there often -- working for weeks .. but never a resident>

You must be kidding, the housing in HK is crazy expensive. Also parking is a problem, anywhere you go you have to pay for parking fee. It is just not a place for car guys except you are very rich. I envy you guy alot more as car is essential.

 

[ek4 hatchback]

yeldogt - Curious why you say "What else other than a mini split?"

Seems to me a through wall "window" AC appropriately sized would be WAY cheaper and simpler to install.

Even though may be more efficient, he will probably by far not end up long term getting a better ROI.

Marc

He is in HK --- very common.

I have consider mini split air condition but in long term i prefer window type air condition if installation is not a problem. There is reason to it, in my experience
- mini split has alot of problem from installation, quit working due to electronic circuit fail, leaking, expensive installation fee.
- window type is alot cheaper to install or replace when needed. Almost no electronic circuit inside which is alot less chance of electronic component fail. Also it cost less to buy.

I have 1 mini split and 3 window type air condition in that house. The mini split has replaced the indoor and outdoor electronic circuit board. The manufacture told me they do not have any more spare part. So next time i need to buy a new one. Which is ****!

I replaced one of the window type air conditioner due to too noise but i can do the removable and install myself when save alot of money. So i prefer window type if possible.

 

[ek4 hatchback]

Back to my topic,

I search around and found the following insulation,
- XPF insulation board
- Polyurethane board
- PIU board

I am considering Polyurethane board 40mm thick, may i have some opinion from your experience? Thanks.