Portable air conditioner for garage

[mizlee]

I am a little old lady of 80, living in a townhouse in Maryland. I like working on assorted projects in my garage, but cannot tolerate the summer heat, which these days often gets above 85 degrees. I just installed a 14,000 BTU Black & Decker portable air conditioner and it is working splendidly! Why? I was lucky enough to have the ideal enviroment for one. The townhouse garage has walls on three sides, an insulated ceiling to the room above, an insulated door, and a place to cut a hole for the vent. All other options were way too expensive, so I took a deep breath and proceeded with this cheaper method and am so glad I did. Environment is all.

 

[Bigbandguy]

You are luckier than me. I could not get one to cool a 12 x 16 shed. Do you have a 2 hose version or a one hose? I understand that the 2 hose version works much better. I now have a standard window shaker in that shed and it works fine.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Hmmm, 80-year-old little old ladies typically don't go on a predominantly male website to let everyone know what they did to their garages, especially as their first posts. Not buying this.

 

[HalfTonTom]

I am a little old lady of 80, living in a townhouse in Maryland. I like working on assorted projects in my garage, but cannot tolerate the summer heat, which these days often gets above 85 degrees. I just installed a 14,000 BTU Black & Decker portable air conditioner and it is working splendidly! Why? I was lucky enough to have the ideal enviroment for one. The townhouse garage has walls on three sides, an insulated ceiling to the room above, an insulated door, and a place to cut a hole for the vent. All other options were way too expensive, so I took a deep breath and proceeded with this cheaper method and am so glad I did. Environment is all.

How little?

 

[mizlee]

You are luckier than me. I could not get one to cool a 12 x 16 shed. Do you have a 2 hose version or a one hose? I understand that the 2 hose version works much better. I now have a standard window shaker in that shed and it works fine.

You mention a shed. Is is open to the elements on four sides? If so, that could be your problem. My garage is windowless and integrated into the house. Even if it had a window, I would not be allowed to have a regular window unit as I live in an HOA retirement community. Mine is a one hose unit, as there was only one place it could be installed and just enough room. Here are some pics.

 

[mizlee]

How little?

Well, I used to be 5'6" but I have shrunk to 5'4." Old age is not for sissies.

 

[Bigbandguy]

You mention a shed. Is is open to the elements on four sides? If so, that could be your problem. My garage is windowless and integrated into the house. Even if it had a window, I would not be allowed to have a regular window unit as I live in an HOA retirement community. Mine is a one hose unit, as there was only one place it could be installed and just enough room. Here are some pics.

It isn't an open shed .. actually an outbuilding and entirely enclosed. My one hose unit would keep up "sort of" on a mild day but not for anything else. No insulation at present. The window unit will cool it off on all but the very hottest days and make it bearable on those.

 

[HalfTonTom]

Aw heck, 5'4" ain't small. My wife used to say she was 5'1 1/2". Thirty years later she won't discuss it. I'm pretty sure she's under 5'.

You're right, though. Old age is not for sissies.

 

[gillrich]

Still happy with that air conditioner? I was going to contact mrcool customer service and see if they can advice me something for the summer, but maybe i will also check that one out. There is such a huge choice of them right now on the market, makes it a real challenge to make the right choice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am IMPRSSED !

 

[PhantomEB]

I put a window unit in the window over the patio. Definitely takes the hit out of my 23x26.

so need to get blinds for the gravel pad side.