Should I add a vent fan?

[Chris702]

I am about to sign with a company to insulate and sheetrock my garage, however they suggested adding a ceiling vent fan into the garage area and to do so while the electrical panel is still easy to get to. They said nothing fancy just like a bathroom fan and rather than a switch to have it on a timer to turn on for an hour every couple hours. This would vent the garage of any stale/humid air.

Thoughts? I do live in western WA so it is WET.

 

[brownbagg]

i bought a 24" exhaust fan from tractor supply, its works good when Im welding, painting, woodwork. Its not on, all the time but there when I need it

 

[Buckgnarly]

i bought a 24" exhaust fan from tractor supply, its works good when Im welding, painting, woodwork. Its not on, all the time but there when I need it

x2. I did not install one on my build, but retrofitted one after welding in the Winter. It would have been easier to do during the build.

 

[BigDogSS]

If you buy a bathroom fan, buy a good one that is quiet --> Panasonic. Don't cheap out.

 

[infinkc]

wouldnt hurt, i am thinking of adding one, but you want it to vent outside not in the attic space.

 

[Sevillian]

I had a vent fan on a timer in my last garage; I tinker with old (pre-PCV) cars, and the exhaust fumes can build up, even with the doors open. Will probably add one to the garage I'm currently redoing as well.

 

[joey1320]

I want to add one to my garage now. They do come in handy when dealing with fumes, paint and moisture. Get a big one so you can move a lot of air if needed.

By the way, good on the company for recommending this.

 

[Red 17]

Another vote FOR the vent.

 

[Joemctag]

For airing out space like that, I’d use something big like the 24”, with a door or window opened when running it: Also, I like to have one or more box fans or even a permanently-mounted swivel fan to blow air, especially in corners or wherever you think it’s getting too damp. You CAN dry something out, even if your air is very humid, if you have enough fans. That’s how those huge chillers work that you see blowing water vapor up into the air even when it’s raining.

 

[wssix99]

Presumably, you are doing this to keep the garage heated. If so, I suggest you look into an HRV with a dehumidifier.

The Heat Recovery Ventilator will vent the space but retain heat. You can also get them with dehumidifier functions to also keep the dampness down to your setting.

I have one in my garage and it works incredibly well. (Too well in the summer - I had to create a special insert that allows me to vent heat out in the summer.) In my case, I need to ventilate CO to meet code.

 

[jvitez]

Per Engineering Toolbox, here are some recommended air changes per hour:

Factory--fumes or moisture: 10-15
Garage--repair: 20-30
Garage--storage: 4-6
Paint shop: 10-15
Shops--woodworking: 8

Even at 8 air changes per hour, a 22' x 24' x 8' garage would need a 563 cfm fan. I"m not sure a bathroom fan would do very much. You also need a vent or some place for makeup air to replace the air being exhausted. Unless you have a leaky garage door, you'll just depressurize the space without moving any air.

 

[OakAndIronStudios]

You won’t regret adding one now.