Mississippi burning:)

[Glensilver]

Hey guys, I read a bunch of replies to over the garage issues but let me give you my specifics. We live in Mississippi it's hot hot hot here in the summer. We have a 3500 sq ft house with a bonus room above the 3 car garage. The bonus room has its own ac unit(1 1/2 ton) just for that estimated 500 sq ft above the garage. During the summer without the air running up there it's 105 degrees, with the air running it might cool it to 90 but run all day. As soon as the heat breaks and the sun goes down it cools right down. Until now not a big deal but with a recent addition to the family that room will now be used and I need to fix the issue. Looking for advise, my thought was to put one of those self contained windowless units up there in addition to the other unit, any other thoughts are appreciated.

 

[koditten]

Sounds like you need to invest in insulation first.

 

[Teken]

Sounds like you need to invest in insulation first.

+1, Ensure the portion below in the garage is properly insulated and piping is sized correctly. Ensure there is a thermal break and air leaks are addressed. If you're not at least at R-50 in the ceiling get er done.

If you can swing it and be above R-50 go for it. Its something that will pay off instantly in heating / cooling. Close the south side facing windows with proper shades.

At night when its cooler use windows to vent the home and allow fresh air in. Ensure all vents are directed and open / closed properly. If the basement is vacant 90% of the time, redirect or close off those vents.

This will ensure air is forced to the zoned areas of the home when required.

Teken . . .

 

[pop pop]

Not sure if you are using the AC 24/7 or not. If not and (big assumption) the area is adequately insulated, the AC is struggling to remove the humidity and cannot cool the air. Leave it "on" for a week and see if you notiice a difference. Miss. is a high humidity area and it will take a few days to stabilize the moisture of the building area before the AC can control the temp. Failing a better result from this test, check the insulation first. Second begin a tune up/test of the AC units performance/installation.

 

[heavychevy454ss]

Being a fellow Mississippian, I feel your pain.
I suspect your largest problem is heat from the garage going into the floor above.
Make certain everything is insulated to the max. Especially the garage ceiling. I would try to make that as airtight as possible.
You may want to look at putting some kind of exhaust venting out of the garage. I know that if we pull two hot cars into mine (no garage door) The temps in the garage can often be 30+ degrees higher than ambient temp. for a LONG time.
Teken, our low temps are often 82+ degrees @ 98% humidity for weeks on end. Often temps are still in the upper 80s, 90s at 11:00PM with 90+ humidity. Fall & winter has more to do with a drop in humidity.

 

[JakeKohl]

1.5 tons (18kbtu) should be more than enough for that space (it is actually overkill). Either something is wrong with the HVAC unit or you need to address insulation issues.

 

[UNDERPLANE]

Similar situation here in TN. This spring we installed 3 solar powered attic fans and it made all the difference in the world.

 

[Teken]

Similar situation here in TN. This spring we installed 3 solar powered attic fans and it made all the difference in the world.

Would you mind sharing some pictures or links to the product you used?

Teken . . .

 

[Teken]

Teken, our low temps are often 82+ degrees @ 98% humidity for weeks on end. Often temps are still in the upper 80s, 90s at 11:00PM with 90+ humidity. Fall & winter has more to do with a drop in humidity.

Wow . . . 98% humidity all summer long would grow old fast! You southern boys are made of some sturdy steel!

Teken . . .

 

[UNDERPLANE]

These are the ones I used.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-F...nt-Exhaust-Fan-PRSOLAR/100551938#.UhZ5Oj8biX8

They were painted black to match the roof. They look fine and do a great job. My AC unit would not cool the area above the garage below 80° before we put these in and it never shut down. Now I can keep it comfortable and the AC cycles normally

 

[heavychevy454ss]

Wow . . . 98% humidity all summer long would grow old fast! You southern boys are made of some sturdy steel!

Teken . . .

We are not made if steel. We just sweat a lot.

 

[Teken]

Too funny!

Teken . . .


Encrypted By: Phoenix Security Solutions

 

[Deltarat]

Similar situation here in TN. This spring we installed 3 solar powered attic fans and it made all the difference in the world.

I am in Ms as well. I have 3 gable and soffit vents in my house. I put a gable fan- not solar powered though- and it made a world of difference in the cooling. When fall gets here, I am going to add another one. It has a humidity control also to pull the humidity out of the attic as well.

 

[Tbabble]

If you have a simple straight gable roof with comp roofing I'd really recomend some continuous ridge vent, if not solar fans all the way! We have one on each gable end vent and we installed the continuous ridge vent this spring. Our up stairs would hover at about 95 on a hot day with the ac. Now it will drop it down to low 80's. Also the house cools down a lot quicker once the sun goes down and stays cooler longer when it comes up.