Using window unit to cool garage

[dunejunkie]

Hey guys,
My garage is a 20'x20'x8.5' with an attic above. The attic is insulated from the garage, and the garage exterior walls and garage door are both insulated. I used a swamp cooler last summer, but it made the garage feel super muggy. The door into my garage has a window in it and I was wondering if a small window unit would make any difference? I'm not trying to make the garage cold, but definitely cooler. Here's some pics of the garage. I haven't put the insulation on the garage door yet:

The window units seemed attractive because of the cost. I can't afford a mini split and really don't want to buy a bigger swamp cooler. Thanks!


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[CoogarXR]

I run a 12k BTU window unit in my insulated 20x24, and it works great even on the hottest days. It wouldn't fit in that small of a window though.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I can't imagine mounting a window unit in a door. Sounds like a bad idea to me.

Sorry.

Phil

 

[Randy in Maine]

Cut a hole in the wall and mount the window unit 15K BTU in it.

 

[dunejunkie]

I would cut a hole in the wall, but this isn't my house, it's a rental. I'm pretty limited with what I can do. I know a compact window a/c can fit in the door window, but the ones that size are only 5,000 btu. Would this have any sort of cooling effect? Or would the unit have to work to hard?


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[dunejunkie]

http://m.homedepot.com/p/SPT-14-000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-WA-1420E/204191439

What about something like this?


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[UpNorther]

I used to have a 10 x 22 garage and I put in a 8,000 btu window unit. I thought it was awesome. Incredible difference, especially during the humid days.

If it was me, I'd give the 14k portable that you linked a try, can always put that to use wherever you rent from/ move to without altering the structure.

 

[Strouty]

I cut a hole in my wall to mount my AC, just be sure you don't block the vents. The best thing is to buy one that is designed to go through the wall, they usually come with a nice tray.

 

[Ohmthis]

Someone beat me to it. The portable units would seem ideal for your situation. Only down side I see is the condensate. You may produce more than the thing can hold and dispose of. I have a 9k btu unit for a room at our lake house. Being attached to the house it does a great job and the condensate gets burned off. Do you have a floor drain? If you go this route you may need to drain (they have a drain too) it into a condensate pump and plumb that outside some how. Or into a larger bucket and empty it out (annoying!!!).

 

[Super Sport]

http://m.homedepot.com/p/SPT-14-000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-WA-1420E/204191439

What about something like this?


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One of these was going to be my suggestion. I picked one up at an auction a year or two ago for $35. My mother has been using it in her house, but I will be setting it up in my garage this summer.

 

[Danny Wiseley]

Running an evaporative cooler without sufficient exhaust area will make it extremely humid in the room. The first time I actually read the instruction book on one, I was amazed. They cool based on air changes, not cooling the same air. A little 5200 required a full screen door and two open windows on my house, but it would freeze you out on a dry day!
DW

 

[dunejunkie]

Someone beat me to it. The portable units would seem ideal for your situation. Only down side I see is the condensate. You may produce more than the thing can hold and dispose of. I have a 9k btu unit for a room at our lake house. Being attached to the house it does a great job and the condensate gets burned off. Do you have a floor drain? If you go this route you may need to drain (they have a drain too) it into a condensate pump and plumb that outside some how. Or into a larger bucket and empty it out (annoying!!!).

Yes, there actually is a floor drain next to the water heater. It's less than 2 feet from the door. I would love to go this option, but 550 is a lot to justify for one of these things new. I might try to find one used. In the meantime, I'm going to try to fix my swamp cooler.


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[PoorOwner]

I wouldn't mount the AC unit at the door, if that's even possible at all, before killing the alignment quickly and denting the fins when you open the door.

What I had done before was just put the AC at the door opening, then using a spring loaded rod hang a blanket to cover the rest of the opening. Works reasonably well for what it is. You can spend more effort like a cart or plywood cut exact size for improvement.

 

[Shiftless]

Wouldn't the swamp cooler units add so much humidity to your space that your tools would rust? Don't forget about good old fashioned electric fans. When the air is moving, it feels cooler even if the thermometer says it isn't. Also, even with an insulated room, when the outside air cools down, fans can exhaust the warmer air inside your garage and replace it with cooler outside air.
dune didn't say where he is located. I realize that in many parts of the country night times are hot and muggy too.

 

[ScottsGT]

Maybe one of the small portable units that require nothing more than a dryer vent hose through a window or dryer vent in the wall?

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Maybe one of the small portable units that require nothing more than a dryer vent hose through a window or dryer vent in the wall?

Won't do squat in a decent sized garage. They're usually really optimistic with their capacity ratings, too...

Tommy

 

[malibu101]

To the OP- Where about in the world are you?
Guys in the same climate could relate better IF we knew what climate you're in.

 

[d.swanson]

What about making the equivalent of the bottom panel of the garage door out of plywood/2x4s and mounting the window A/C in there? Open the garage, move the "new" panel (with A/C) into place, and close the garage door back down...

 

[Zeke]

No one commented on the Mini? Very cool.

Do you need that side garage door? You could put a piece of ply wood in the jamb and run a much bigger unit through it. I've also seem smallish package units that are remote with independent ducts. Similar to this:

 

[TigerDude]

The problem with the inside-room portable units like the home depot unit above is that they exhaust air from the condenser outside, which means they draw a vacuum on the room and draw in hot outside air. I have one I use in a bonus room becasue the HOA has a cow about window units. It's better than nothing, but far from ideal.

I have yet to find one that pulls in outside air to cool the condenser.

 

[Falcon67]

8k minimum IMHO. The 5k units arent worth their weigh in dirt. Same with portables - i'd not invest in one except for maybe a small bedroom.

 

[PoorOwner]

If you get dual hose one then it works better. They still draw a little from inside incase the intake is blocked

 

[dunejunkie]

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies! I'm in Phoenix, AZ. The portable a/c unit I saw was 14,000 btu dual hose. I think it was made by Frigidaire. No, I don't necessarily need that side door, as I can always enter the garage through the garage door. Right now it's nice enough outside to just use fans. When I run my swamp cooler, I keep the garage open... So I'm using it less to keep the room cool, and more for focused cooling.


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[PoorOwner]

Since you already have a small openable window on that door a dual hose portable is the best choice. I think you said you don't want to spend that much but sometimes spending a bit more to get the best solution and get that cool air blowing, you won't regret it. It should be exhausting the condensate out the hose and you wouldn't need to empty the drain on the unit.

 

[themiller]

The problem with the inside-room portable units like the home depot unit above is that they exhaust air from the condenser outside, which means they draw a vacuum on the room and draw in hot outside air. I have one I use in a bonus room becasue the HOA has a cow about window units. It's better than nothing, but far from ideal.

I have yet to find one that pulls in outside air to cool the condenser.

The good ones have 2 hoses for just this reason. The crappy ones do not.