OK, I give up on the heat. I suspect the heat in sunny S.C. will remain until October like it does every year. So, has anyone out there done any sort of permanant fixes to their garage to cool it (& heat it, but we have little cold weather).

For example, I was looking at the Mitsubishi slim line A/C's, but that will hit me up for around $1,300 for everything. The garage is around 24 x 24 and it is an oven around 11 AM every morning. Tried a fan, but that just blows hot air.

I realized this, and the clutter / lack of organization makes my wrenching time not as enjoyable. So, if I can get the heat under control, I could spend hours cleaning it up / organizing.

Any ideas would be welcomed ! Thanks

swamp cooler. makes a world of difference.

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I had my garage fully insulated. I use a two hose stand alone AC unit. It keeps it in the 70s with 100+ outside temps. Paid 300 for the unit at Lowes and it has a small footprint.

Makes it nice to wrench or play drums.

Not in a humid environment like SC...it makes it worse.

My garage in Ohio (989 sq foot) has two 10,000BTU "window" units built into framed openings. They are Kenmore units with wireless remote control. They keep the place pretty comfortable during the summer.

When I lived in UT, I had a much smaller 2.5 car garage. I used a single 10,000BTU true window unit.

The key is to have one large enough that it will cool the area off in under an hour, but don't leave them on 24/7.

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1987 560SL
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Howdy everyone,

I am trying to avoid duct work. Looks like my options are cutting a hole in the wall for a window unit or the stand alone deals with the 6" hole with a dryer vent ?

Bought one of those for the shop. It didn't work very well.

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brand new lg 18,000btu ac unit

http://columbia.craigslist.org/app/3151896602.html

If you go stand alone you need the dual hose as the single hose is useless. It draws a vacuum on the space you are trying to cool. The dual hose does not as it keeps the conditioned air separate from the condenser air.

If I get a mega sized window unit, any ideas on how to dress up the hole on the other side? I will have to chop through the wall, vinyl siding, et cet.

Or, the portable deals just use a 6" or so hole.

If I chop a hole, I will have to get a siding guy to dress up the hole, et cet.

My guess is that no matter what, this will be a one day job which is fine since I want to get this done within 2 weeks or less. I am fishing for information now to see what has worked for fellow forum members. As I said, I really cannot take it and I really need to get back onto my game and doing projects.

Thanks for the help and info. Keep it coming

BTW -- what was bad with the portable unit? That seems to take the least amount of work to be up and running. My wife will shoot me if this is the typical Greazzer slap it together project. This will be a permanent upgrade to the house, so I am focused towards someting that works and LOOKs OK when it comes time to sell the house.

A wall (window) unit will do better than the stand alone. Unless the wall is brick, cutting the hole and running the 220v isn't difficult.

__________________
1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I cut a hole in the wall and installed a 220v AC /Heat unit. Made by Fedders. Got it on Craigslist for $400. 17,500 Btu's of AC.

Does a good job on my 24 X 16 2 story. Will make it too cold if I want it to.

I know what you mean about SC summers. Spent some time in Charleston for work. Take your breath away hot and humid.

VA is about 5 degrees cooler, and that's enough to make it bearable.

No, the wall is just 2x4 studs, plywood, and vinyl on the outside. I got plenty of slots on my breaker box. 50' roll of 220 15AMP cable isnt too horrible of a cost.

I would think 18,000 BTU would cool the garage ?

Thats like a hotel room unit correct?


Greazzer, Mine is a 15000btu.

The real problem is the heat index. We have been hitting 105 F or more most days of the week and I am soaking wet within 30 minutes of tinkering.

The hotel deals are the Mitsubishi slim lines at $1,300 bucks. I want to avoid that much cost, but that may be the best investment. Not sure

Looks like a regular window unit with heat also. Made for thru the wall installation with smooth sided case.