venting options

[sw1183]

Hey guys, new member here. Stumbled across this forum in search for my answers but Im not sure what to do so Im seeking advice.

We just built and moved into a new home and Im in the process of running wires so I can insulate the cold areas of the garage then drywall, paint, polyurea floors, then add storage for my tools.

Im looking for a solution on the hot days (Indiana is hot and muggy for 3 months) to reduce the temperature. I realize that if its 90 outside, im not going to get it much cooler, but when I or the wife pull in 2 hot cars it quickly gets to 110 and my fridge works overtime in the garage and makes working in the workshop miserable. I have a window that I can open, along with cracking garage door, but if there is no wind, it stays miserable.

I was thinking of adding an attic fan but I got into the attic today and noticed that the tall gable is not ridge vented (but does has a few soffit vents) which is connected to the 3rd car bay attic by a small opening in the roof line (which is vented).

Here are a few pictures that will help:

(garage diagram)
-Blue areas are cold and not insulated or dry walled and have attic access. Red areas have a livable space above and can not access.

Gabled roofs

Looking into 3rd garage bay

2 car bay

Tall gable roof that is NOT vented

Should I vent into 3rd bay garage attic and crack a window? Should I add a second attic vent over the 2 car garage door? Should I add a vent that goes directly behind 3rd bay garage high up on the wall? Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated!

-Scott

 

[sw1183]

bump. Anyone?

 

[turfgnome]

Most people would need more info ablut your house to come up with a plan that might work. However have you thought of just adding a fan pulling air out of the side or back wall of the garage to pull out the exhaust and some of the heat.

 

[bczygan]

Hey guys, new member here. Stumbled across this forum in search for my answers but Im not sure what to do so Im seeking advice.

We just built and moved into a new home and Im in the process of running wires so I can insulate the cold areas of the garage then drywall, paint, polyurea floors, then add storage for my tools.

Im looking for a solution on the hot days (Indiana is hot and muggy for 3 months) to reduce the temperature. I realize that if its 90 outside, im not going to get it much cooler, but when I or the wife pull in 2 hot cars it quickly gets to 110 and my fridge works overtime in the garage and makes working in the workshop miserable. I have a window that I can open, along with cracking garage door, but if there is no wind, it stays miserable.

I was thinking of adding an attic fan but I got into the attic today and noticed that the tall gable is not ridge vented (but does has a few soffit vents) which is connected to the 3rd car bay attic by a small opening in the roof line (which is vented).

Here are a few pictures that will help:

http://i.imgur.com/v2IeA4O.jpg
(garage diagram)
-Blue areas are cold and not insulated or dry walled and have attic access. Red areas have a livable space above and can not access.

http://i.imgur.com/x0T9E9V.jpg
Gabled roofs

http://i.imgur.com/ToE0pd0.jpg
Looking into 3rd garage bay

http://i.imgur.com/tqC5Hpa.jpg
2 car bay

http://i.imgur.com/0XAuo60.jpg
Tall gable roof that is NOT vented

Should I vent into 3rd bay garage attic and crack a window? Should I add a second attic vent over the 2 car garage door? Should I add a vent that goes directly behind 3rd bay garage high up on the wall? Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated!

-Scott

Welcome to GJ!

Your photos don't link.

Don't do that!!!

Really! Why make things worse? Simply park in the driveway until you are through working in there, or until night temperatures abate the high temperatures.

Bill

 

[Firebrick43]

A wall mounted vent fan with self closing louvers. Set it up with a controller that comes on at a certain temp and also is on a night time differential. This will save you some coin. As the night time air temp falls below the inside time force ventilation cools the garage and removes latent heat from the slab. Look for variable speed and energy Star ratings as operating cost over the lifetime add up

If your garage is tight you are going to need a vent to let air into the garage as well.

 

[sw1183]

Most people would need more info ablut your house to come up with a plan that might work. However have you thought of just adding a fan pulling air out of the side or back wall of the garage to pull out the exhaust and some of the heat.

Thanks for the response. I fixed the picture links (sorry). I had a box fan and shut the garage to 10 inches or so but its does not create enough of a draft with the side window open.

 

[sw1183]

A wall mounted vent fan with self closing louvers. Set it up with a controller that comes on at a certain temp and also is on a night time differential. This will save you some coin. As the night time air temp falls below the inside time force ventilation cools the garage and removes latent heat from the slab. Look for variable speed and energy Star ratings as operating cost over the lifetime add up

If your garage is tight you are going to need a vent to let air into the garage as well.

Any recommendations on the wall vents? Ive found a few but most say that the vents will let some air in when they are closed - and the midwest experiences some pretty cold winters. That is why I was considering an attic fan. But I really dont know the benefits/downfalls of one over the other.

 

[CNGsaves]

That area above the 2 car garage is just screaming . . . . BONUS ROOM !!

Was the house built with sufficient trusses that living space can be utilized for that space ?? I sure would pursue that instead of haphazard approach to venting.

Best way to cool the garage space is run box fan in window at night PULLING IN cold air. Thus, crack garage door at bottom and let box fan cool off the entire garage. Each morning, close up the garage and keep that cool air inside.

I wouldn't pull hot cars into garage . . . . at ANY time !!

 

[brycez28]

Any recommendations on the wall vents? Ive found a few but most say that the vents will let some air in when they are closed - and the midwest experiences some pretty cold winters. That is why I was considering an attic fan. But I really dont know the benefits/downfalls of one over the other.

I have a gable vent in my garage with self closing louvers. It makes a huge difference in the summer when it is hot outside, the garage pretty much stays cooler than the outdoor temps. When welding, I open the overhead door 1.5' in the winter and it will draw out the fumes. However, it will flop open when the wind blows at it. I made an insulated enclosure on the inside for it with a door that I can quickly open and close in the winter to keep cold air from drafting in.

 

[sw1183]

That area above the 2 car garage is just screaming . . . . BONUS ROOM !!

Was the house built with sufficient trusses that living space can be utilized for that space ?? I sure would pursue that instead of haphazard approach to venting.

Best way to cool the garage space is run box fan in window at night PULLING IN cold air. Thus, crack garage door at bottom and let box fan cool off the entire garage. Each morning, close up the garage and keep that cool air inside.

I wouldn't pull hot cars into garage . . . . at ANY time !!

Thanks for the input. I have tried the box fan in the window and garage door cracked but it wasnt enough for me last summer and was hoping to improve it with another solution.

The area above the garage would require a lot of extra strengthing for an additional 6 x 14 space. If I didnt have 3 empty bedrooms and an unfinished basement I might consider tackling it.

 

[sw1183]

I have a gable vent in my garage with self closing louvers. It makes a huge difference in the summer when it is hot outside, the garage pretty much stays cooler than the outdoor temps. When welding, I open the overhead door 1.5' in the winter and it will draw out the fumes. However, it will flop open when the wind blows at it. I made an insulated enclosure on the inside for it with a door that I can quickly open and close in the winter to keep cold air from drafting in.

This is a great idea! Just so I understand your setup: Your gable vent is in attic with a cutout in the ceiling, or you have an open truss ceiling?

 

[bczygan]

In addition to NOT putting hot cars in a hot garage just when you are going to work in it.....How about a properly sized HVA/C system along with the correct venting?

Bill