Portable A/C Units

[nanci2539]

Does anyone use a portable AC unit in their garages? If so, how does it work. I'm talking about a stand alone unit.

[gfmucci]

I do not use one, but I understand they work reasonably well, but that they are roughly half as efficient as window or through the wall units. They exhaust through a hose the size of a dryer exhaust hose. This still has to vent through a window or wall. You would need a minumum of 12,000 btu's for a 2-car garage - optimally 18,000; and 18,000 to 24,000 btus's for a 2-car with golf cart garage. Make sure you insulate at least the ceiling and garage door.

[punkpup]

So why wouldn't you just add the ductwork from the existing AC? Seems like it might cost as much as insulating ceiling and purchasing a portable unit of 18,000 - 24,000 BTU's which isn't so cheap and then venting it through the wall or window. Even installing a through the wall unit might be cheaper. Considering that a portable unit would take up valuable floor space I'm wondering how cost effective going that route might be.
Just curious what the consensus is on this issue.

[gfmucci]

You still need to insulate, no matter what form of AC you pump into the room if you want any kind of efficiency.

Yes, blowing cold air from the other parts of the house is an option. However, the central AC is probably not sized to accommodate the extra 200 to 500 additional square feet of the garage, and may not be able to cool the house effectively.

[JohnnyM]

These are the things that drive you nuts in this day and age. What would it take to run a few a/c ducts into the garage and give the option of opening or closing them. Why do they make walk in closets just big enough for you to turn around in? At the price they get for new homes what is the big deal to add another foot or so on to a closet where you really need the extra room.? I do not know much about construction and maybe I am out of line but it just seems like common sense.

[bimmertl]

So why do you need to have AC in the garage in the first place?

[JohnnyM]

One reason would be working in the garage on various projects. Back out the car and have your workspace. I do not know why Nanci needed the a/c but my point is include ducts that can be opened when needed and shut when not.

[gfmucci]

So why do you need to have AC in the garage in the first place?
Speaking for myself, not for nanci, I've lived in Florida for over 40 years.* A garage makes a great hobby room when the car isn't in there.* And a great place to wax the car in the shade (maybe the only place) during the hot summers.* I've waited this long to finally have all that square footage I can use - comfortably.* I plan to have a model train layout in a portion of it. And I plan to AC it with a "mini-split" system to stay entirely in compliance with deed restrictions - and to not negatively affect the AC performance in the rest of the house if you simply run ducts into the garage.

[Just Susan]

Four things that I want in our TV home if possible...Gas...As much privacy as possible...Storage ie: closets (I love clothes), attic, garage, anywhere possible and the biggest garage I can get. I am a woodworker, not Tom, me Susan. As a K&B Designer I felt that if I was going to design it I had better be able to build it to fully understand all the issues that go along with construction.

I always wanted a workshop that would rival Norm Abrahms. If you are a woodworker you know who I mean. A/C in the garage is a requirement in my current state of mind...cause the garage is mine! Tom will only be using it to park his golf cart which I expect will be on the golf course most of the time.

Now the only thing that could change all this is the accessability of the Wood Work Shop to where we live and the hours it is available. If those things work out well for me maybe we can use the space for a second golf cart...or a pottery wheel or a place to practice yoga, or line dancing...yep A/C is a must, Nance and I love your idea of closeable vents, Johnny.

Love your idea of the train set up gfmucci. Is the "mini-split" system you spoke of like what Johnny describes?

[JohnnyM]

- and to not negatively affect the AC performance in the rest of the house if you simply run ducts into the garage.


Gf I didn't mean to simply just run ducts into the garage after the fact. If you read my post it says as they are building the houses to go one step further and set up ducts to run into the garage. If the unit has to bigger so be it. At least we would have the choice to open or close the vents at will.

Susan you are a woman of many talents.

[gfmucci]

Johnny:* Ahaa!* :bigthumbsup: I understand.* Yes, in our previous house we had built, I had them upsize the central AC unit - it didn't cost that much more.* Not to AC the garage, but to just have the extra capacity for the hottest days.* If you both upsize the central system AND install ducts to the garage AT THE TIME THE HOUSE IS BEING BUILT - si, that would have great cost/benefits.* Thing is, AC people will tell you if you oversize the central system too much, you won't lower the humidity enough.*

That's why dual zone systems are recommended - not just opening and closing ducts, but having two separate zones with separate thermostats.* That's why I'm getting a separate unit, called a mini-split, for the garage, Susan. It is a small separate system where the blower is mounted high up on the garage wall, inside, and the condenser unit is outside, next to my main, pre-existing condenser unit i.e. a smaller version of the split (inside/outside units) central AC system that comes with the house.* You have the best of both worlds with this set up.* Google "mini-split AC" for further explanation and some examples.

Susan, the need to construct the benchwork for the train layout may be my justification for my first ever table saw.

[Just Susan]

Okay so let me see if I am understanding this mini-split thing correctly. Say we buy a pre-owned home. It has A/C...I want to A/c the garage. We buy the mini-split A/C unit and it works independent of the primary A/C. Does the home need to be heated by a heat pump or does it not matter, because the mini comes with its own heat pump? I will have to research this more. This sounds like a great idea if we don't buy new, which is very possible due to the fact the new areas don't have gas and I love to cook.

gfmucci, I am leaving my table saw here when we move...too big for the garages in TV. I plan on using the Villages Wood Shop for cuts like that. I am planning to bring a selection of smaller tools all of which fit on a workbench; compound miter saw, router, sander, biscuit joiner, etc.

It will be so much fun.

[JohnnyM]

Susan I didn't know Pillsbury made tools?

[Just Susan]

Ohhh I get it. They is not that much difference between the kitchen and the garage, in the skills department. Maybe I should bring my biscuit joiner into the house next time I bake. ;D

[gfmucci]

The "mini-split" units are available with and with heat pump. I'm opting for without, because there will be no time in that part of the country when the garage will be too cold for me.

[Just Susan]

We currently have an independent heating unit in our garage, attached to its own thermostat which is also in the garage. It works well even here in MN winters; it is however very expensive if left on full-time. What do you estimate the mini's costs would be? ???

[gfmucci]

W What do you estimate the mini's costs would be? ??? * Are you sitting down?

Between $2,700 and $3,200, installed.* Installation is roughly $500 or so of that total price.* Locally, check with Munns Air Conditioning Heating - 752-787-7741* That is one I received an estimate from.* Others are listed in the Villages Sun classified and through a Google search under Air Conditioner Contractors in The Villages, FL.

[Just Susan]

Are you serious? I think that is more than a real AC unit for a whole house!!! Wow I will really have to check this out. The advantages are really going to have to be super good for me to pay that much...maybe I will just leave the door between the house and the garage open and put a fan in front of it.

[gfmucci]

An 18,000 btu portable unit is about $700 to $800 at Home Depot (I could not get a confirmation from deed restriction people that this was allowed - their answer inferred it would not be because the explicit deed restriction text says something like "only central air conditioning systems are permitted." We've had a few e-mail exchanges on the logic of that one.

A through-the-wall unit of similar capacity, not in accordance with deed restrictions, is about $400. A big fan sucking cold air from the house into the garage, blocking the door, making the house a little warmer, and making the garage slightly cooler is less than $50. I'm realizing you pretty much get what you pay for - especially if you want to remain in strict compliance with deed restrictions.

[The Great Fumar]

I have a portable unit that is on casters in my sun porch in Michigan ,,,,You have to duct it outside and it costs about 1000.00 bucks , However they are much cheaper at SAMS...........
However having said all that , my opinion is they are LOUSY.........Would not do it again ......I would either get a wall unit or run a duct from my main A/C to the ceiling of my garage , then open and close as needed.....

PS with the summer breezes here I have not found that I need it.........

cool fumar

[JohnnyM]

Too Cool Fumar!

[coach]

I have found that we are able to use the garage with the following setup: We have the sliding screen panel garage doors that we leave closed with the garage door open. Then we open the door from the garage into our house. Then we open the back slider to the lanai. This sets up a very effective breeze that draws almost like a chimney. Only on very hot days do I turn on a fan in the garage to add in air flow.

I will add that my home faces north so the sun is not shining directly into the garage.

Coach

[handieman]

In this mornings Sunday paper there is a portable A/C unit for sale at Big Lots (on RT 27 in Leesburg) for $299 and its 9000 BTU. Maybe if your garage is insulated you might be able to cool it with one of these units or at least make it tolerable
Just a thought ;D
Handie :joke:

[Just Susan]

That sounds like a reasonable idea Handie and much closer to reality, price wise...but I think we will just wait until we own the house and live through a summer there. Who knows maybe we won't need one at all.

[gfmucci]

Susan and Tom:

Are you guys bringing a Minnesota accent down with you, like the one in Fargo...or is the accent somewhat different in Minnesota than in N.D.?

[Just Susan]

gfmucci,
I suppose we will bring a bit of it with us, you will have to let us know. But know this, Tom is a native San Franciscan, I a native of MN, left MN, when I was 20.
We have only been here since 2000 due to a job offer for Tom. Also we live in the Twin Cities...very cosmopolitan here believe it or not.
The accent is strongest outside of the Twin Cities and well there is just too much green out there for me. We are City people I am afraid. Know whats funny? Our daughter is now a farmer. Went to visit for Easter...so much space, so many animals and they are not in cages and they touch them. Shocking. ;D

[gfmucci]

Yah, shoe ah, you bet cha. You'll have to let me know when your daughter visits TV - I'll have a listen.

[Just Susan]

Special just for you gf. Check this out.

http://www.brownielocks.com/minnesotatalk.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft-9FZ_0p2s

The rap video by two Minnesotans is pretty funny too.