Re-purposing Central Air system for Garage

[Innov8tive1]

I have a almost new compressor unit and the matching evap. coils. My garage is already heated with a hanging unit heater so I have no need of a furnace in there. Is it feasible to make something up to make use of the compressor/coil I already have or would it be a waste of time? Maybe there's a product that can already do this that I'm not aware of.

 

[MUDFORD]

The furnace portion has the blower. You will need some way to move the air. Most of the HVAC companies build a blower box that only houses the blower and possibly a heat strip.

 

[Innov8tive1]

The blower isn't too big a concern, I'm wondering more about controlling it all.

 

[wanderer]

I think youll find it hard to do with an a coil. Might be able to get a flat plate heat exchanger to function but you’d still need the guts of the furnace. It’s possible, but a lot of work to avoid installing a window unit or mini split.

 

[Aerospace Eng]

The blower isn't too big a concern, I'm wondering more about controlling it all.

It depends. Some of the newer units are sophisticated and have variable speed compressors with digital interfaces.

The older ones tend to just be coils run by 24V AC from the thermostat, with some interlocks on airflow, etc.

Download the manual, and look at the wiring diagram. It should give you a very good idea as to how hard the controls would be.

 

[MattT]

Might be easier to just buy an air handler rather than attempting to rig something up to work with your A coil.

But before you get too deep off in this, how many tons is the AC condenser? And what is your square footage?

 

[Jim greengo]

Might be easier to just buy an air handler rather than attempting to rig something up to work with your A coil.

But before you get too deep off in this, how many tons is the AC condenser? And what is your square footage?

What he said

 

[reader2580]

Why not buy an old furnace cheap with a working blower and electronics (if any)?

 

[Falcon67]

Why not buy an old furnace cheap with a working blower and electronics (if any)?

Thought of this too, but talking with my AC guy most units that come out are hell and gone, so you could spent way more than necessary and not have something usable. Repair parts no serviced anymore in the compressor unit and such. Compressor and lines would easy run $$$, plus fabbing up all the ducting and such, even if you did all that DIY.

This is where an expensive new mini-split with a warranty starts to look cheaper than you'd think.

 

[Jazzman442]

Would it still be cheaper to get a mini split and install it your self?

 

[James-W]

I have a 1.5 ton unit that works just fine sitting upstairs in my garage. I will give it to anyone who wants it and is willing to come get it. I had the idea of using it in my garage, but when I checked into it I found that the cost of doing it was very expensive. So rather than go thru the hassle of setting it all up to work, I just bought a window AC unit for a fraction of the cost and it works great. I put it in the window when the days start to get warm in the Spring, and I take it out when the days cool down in the Fall. Takes about 15 minutes twice a year.

 

[Innov8tive1]

Thanks for the replies, you've confirmed what I was thinking regarding cost and practicality. I currently use a portable unit which vents to the outside. It's ok but not quite enough when the temps get really high for days on end. I should probably spend some money on putting more insulation in the attic and look at a second unit or a window unit if I still need extra cooling.

 

[James-W]

Thanks for the replies, you've confirmed what I was thinking regarding cost and practicality. I currently use a portable unit which vents to the outside. It's ok but not quite enough when the temps get really high for days on end. I should probably spend some money on putting more insulation in the attic and look at a second unit or a window unit if I still need extra cooling.

I suggest a window unit. They are not terribly expensive, they work well, they sit in the window and are not in the way, and you can take them out in the fall and close the window tight so you won't have any air leaks on a cold windy day.

 

[Aerospace Eng]

Thanks for the replies, you've confirmed what I was thinking regarding cost and practicality. I currently use a portable unit which vents to the outside. It's ok but not quite enough when the temps get really high for days on end. I should probably spend some money on putting more insulation in the attic and look at a second unit or a window unit if I still need extra cooling.

Insulation almost always gives the best ROI for heating/cooling.

 

[Falcon67]

I suggest a window unit. They are not terribly expensive, they work well, they sit in the window and are not in the way, and you can take them out in the fall and close the window tight so you won't have any air leaks on a cold windy day.

Or mount in the wall and keep your window clear. A trash bag and a strip of duct tape is your winterizer.