Suggestions for small, secure window fan?

[mikec35]

I'm discovering mold on my leather and fabric sporting goods equipment in my one car storage garage. It has 2 windows and I'd like to put a small fan in one window to circulate air and hopefully correct the problem. Issue is that I am concerned about the lack of security I may create by installing the fan. Any suggestions?
P.S. While on the subject of mold, any suggestions how to clean mold off my golf bags and baseball gloves without bleaching them? Thanks

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Can you do an attic style fan through the roof? If not, install a 10" or 12" vent fan with a barometric damper and secure the sash.

Tommy

 

[CJ7VFR]

Tommy beat me to it.

Does your storage garage have any type of vents up high near the roof? If so, you could put the fan up there, using it like an exhaust fan to create some air movement so that you would not have to leave the window open.

There are some cleaning products around for your leather items that should be able to remove the moldy spots without using bleach.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing. I think the other issue you should look into is why there is so much moisture in the garage in the first place.

Perhaps you can set up a dehumidifier in there to get some of the wetness out.

Jim

 

[readhead]

If you exhaust you need makeup air. Will you run the risk of drawing in more moisture. Dehumidifier may work better.

 

[matt_i]

I would just go with a garden variety ceiling fan sold at big box stores. Keep on low setting, uses very little electricity. You won't have these issues where air is kept moving.

 

[JunkYardDawg]

If you exhaust you need makeup air. Will you run the risk of drawing in more moisture. Dehumidifier may work better.

Precisely.

My brother has a damp garage, and he uses a dehumidifier, and a room fan to circulate the air. It works well.

 

[cidermill]

any type fan (decent size) to create air movement will help. you dont need to put it in a window. I have a 20X50 dirt floor basement that was always damp. A box fan at one end 2ft off the ground on low speed fixed my problem! You just need air movement.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If you exhaust you need makeup air. Will you run the risk of drawing in more moisture. Dehumidifier may work better.

I can all but guarantee in his situation the garage isn't "tight" enough to need make up air and just having some air movement will do a lot more than running a dehumidifier.

Tommy

 

[readhead]

I agree but he is talking about exhaust not just moving it around. In that climate if he creates negative pressure moist air will be drawn in.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Western NC has a great climate. Coastal NC would be more of an issue. Mold does need moisture, but stagnant air is a bigger cause. Attics with attic fans pull in outside air if they have soffit vents. If they don't they're in a negative, too. Warehouses are rarely conditioned spaces. They almost always have exhaust fans without any conditioned makeup air. Mold is rare.

Tommy

 

[Git]

You didn't say what kind of windows you have - but maybe something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008XET9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here is another that is only 8" tall
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BDS4M0W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mikec35]

I've got 2 single hung windows and thought a window type plug in fan would be the easiest way to get some air moving but I am worried if I raise the window to put the fan in it I would be creating an easy entry for a possible thief. I really don't want to install a roof fan - maybe I'll just crack a window and screw it in place and plug in a box fan to get the air moving. I'll need to locate a decent fan that I can trust to leave running all the time. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I'm in western NC as well. We have a ton of moisture, I run a dehumidifier.

 

[PassnThru]

If you're set on having a fan in the window then you need to find one that mounts outside the window track so that you can close the window when it isn't in use. You could easily build something if you aren't going to move it from window to window.
I have one of these:
Lasko Window Fan

 

[Blazinzuk]

Would a ceiling fan be enough circulation to prevent the mold?

 

[rburke65]

A lot of folks swear by ceiling fans. Try one....

 

[rburke65]

Or you could put 240V to the fan grill.....and remember, there is no such thing as 220V...... Have a good atty. before ya do the 240