garage heat

[greg&sueby]

Has anyone had sucess getting their garage cooler. I am thinking of adding a solar fan, and maybe insulate the ceiling. I think maybe by insulating the ceiling i may keep more heat in. Maybe just a solar fan? any suggestions?

[buggyone]

Call The Solar Guys for a solar fan. They do a great job of installation and it really keeps the garage a lot cooler.

[MLBellis]

We put in a regular fan in our garage. We had a lot of parties in there.... Had it set on high, it did not help... I say save your money on a fan, install the screen door!!

[Blackie]

I'm taking a three step approach to this.

The first step was stop the heat getting in by insulating the garage door. I added a "radiant barrier" on the inside of the door. This was a simple DIY project that took about 3 hours and cost $50.

This step was completed about a month ago and seems to have dropped the temperature quite well. I am waiting for the hotter weather to confirm how helpful this really is.

Insulating the attic above the garage would help a lot but we use that space for storage so can't do it.

The second step was to "vent" the heat from the garage. I'm testing this by leaving the attic stairs open a few inches. If this proves worthwhile I may add vents (and perhaps a fan) to the garage ceiling.

The third step would be to add a solar roof fan in the attic to further vent the hot air. At this stage I'm not doing this and there is information that this "may" not be a wise thing to do.

[l2ridehd]

I am going to do this in several steps and try to be as scientific as possible. Suggestions to make it more accurate would help.

Step 1. Measure inside and outside temperature in the garage over three or four days with about 4 readings a day. Looking for the difference between the two.

Step 2. Insulate the garage door and retake the temperature as above. Record any improvement in the difference.

Step 3. Insulate over the garage and retake readings.

Step 4. Add a solar attic fan above the garage and again take readings.

Step 5. Only if still needed, add a garage screen door and check again.

This process will take at least several months to complete, but in the end I should know the impact of each change.

[NECHFalcon68]

I'm taking a three step approach to this.



The third step would be to add a solar roof fan in the attic to further vent the hot air. At this stage I'm not doing this and there is information that this "may" not be a wise thing to do.

Can you post that information?

[Tom Grooms]

I saw a real nice attic fan in the garage ceiling that was thermostatically controlled in the attic. The couple had a couple vents in the bottom of the garage door. It's was amazing. Cooled the garage and the attic temperature by 30+ degrees.

I don't see a solar fan moving that much air.

[Blackie]

Can you post that information?

Environment and Energy News » Best Available Research on Attic Fans and Power Ventilators (http://oilobit.com/newsroom/2012/best-available-research-on-attic-fans-and-power-ventilators/)

Here is a link to one of many articles available on attic fans. Basically there may be more disadvantages than advantages.

Regarding temperature readings I have taken since insulating the door, the inside temperature is now only a couple of degrees warmer than the outside temperature and that is after opening and closing the door several times during the day. I never expected the inside temperature to be lower than outside but before insulation it was much hotter.

My immediate neighbors (uninsulated doors) and I will compare temperatures when it gets really hot - that's the only way we will really know - as the readings will be taken on the same day under the identical conditions.

[Tom Grooms]

The fan I'm talking about is mounted next to the attic access in the garage ceiling. It's pulls air out of the garage and blows it into the attic. This blows the hot air out the soffit and the other roof vents.

This thing was like $800 installed and works like a champ. Cool garage for those summer time projects and cooler storage in the attic. It's not an energy saver (I think it's runs on 220 volts) but it is sooooo nice.

[mulligan]

By ventilating to the attic, you have voided the fire rating of your garage ceiling.

[Tom Grooms]

That's incorrect, it has a built in fire damper.

Coolmygarage.com has some examples

[OurHappyHome]

The fan I'm talking about is mounted next to the attic access in the garage ceiling. It's pulls air out of the garage and blows it into the attic. This blows the hot air out the soffit and the other roof vents.

This thing was like $800 installed and works like a champ. Cool garage for those summer time projects and cooler storage in the attic. It's not an energy saver (I think it's runs on 220 volts) but it is sooooo nice.

It looks good on their web site. Do you know if there has been any temperature comparison or a look at the electric bills changes.

Can you find out who installed your neighbors system

[PaPaLarry]

I have a 2X4 in attic stairs, so stairs are open a little for fan to suck up hot heat. I also put in a vent in ceiling, to help suck out the heat. The suggestion of having a fan in ceiling of garage, sounds even better!!

[TomSpasm]

We rented a designer home here for 6 months starting in July, 2011, beautiful home except the garage was about 130 degrees and miserable to go into. Of course, the owners would never know it being snowbirds...

Insulating the garage and lanai(s) of our new Courtyard Villa was a no-brainer for us. Costs $250-$450, depending on the sizes. That should take care of the problem. As for losing storage, we were able to put plywood over the insulation, so we didn't lose any storage...

Tom

[batman911]

The block tile wall on the west side of the house is not insulated (except for the block tile itself). Has anyone put a layer of insulation on an exposed garage wall and covered it with sheetrock?

[jimbo2012]

Aren't yours doors on the west side and the bloc wall on the south the way Amherst goes?

[Quixote]

Environment and Energy News » Best Available Research on Attic Fans and Power Ventilators (http://oilobit.com/newsroom/2012/best-available-research-on-attic-fans-and-power-ventilators/)

Here is a link to one of many articles available on attic fans. Basically there may be more disadvantages than advantages.


It should be noted that this article addresses powered attic ventilator (PAVs) which, of course, use electricity. However, as suggested earlier in this thread, a solar attic fan (and I too recommend the Solar Guys on Hwy 441) uses no electricity; it is just that: solar powered. I can stand on the attic stairs and feel the gentle pull of air up through that fan on a sunny day. I can't say scientifically, but it sure seems to me that this helps keep the attic cooler and hence lower a/c costs. It won't, however, do anything to keep the garage cooler.

[CFrance]

By ventilating to the attic, you have voided the fire rating of your garage ceiling.

And your garage may be cooler because the fan is pulling air conditioned air out of your house due to air leaks in the garage ceiling. That's what I read in a former thread on this subject.

[Happinow]

We have taken many steps to assure that our garage is cooler.......we had the garage doors insulated, installed an attic fan, put more insulation in the attic and added insulation to our lanai ceiling as they don't insulate there. Finally, we put an air conditioner in the garage. We keep it at 82 and its wonderful! If we are working outside in the heat and need to cool off its nice to be able to go in the garage instead of coming in the house.

[buzzy]

We have taken many steps to assure that our garage is cooler.......we had the garage doors insulated, installed an attic fan, put more insulation in the attic and added insulation to our lanai ceiling as they don't insulate there. Finally, we put an air conditioner in the garage. We keep it at 82 and its wonderful! If we are working outside in the heat and need to cool off its nice to be able to go in the garage instead of coming in the house.

Do you mean a Mitsubishi mini-split, or some other A/C unit?

[Blackie]

It should be noted that this article addresses powered attic ventilator (PAVs) which, of course, use electricity. However, as suggested earlier in this thread, a solar attic fan (and I too recommend the Solar Guys on Hwy 441) uses no electricity; it is just that: solar powered. I can stand on the attic stairs and feel the gentle pull of air up through that fan on a sunny day. I can't say scientifically, but it sure seems to me that this helps keep the attic cooler and hence lower a/c costs. It won't, however, do anything to keep the garage cooler.


The article you are referring to shows a photo of a solar fan and the opening sentence of the article is - "Are solar attic fans worth installing?"

However the point is are attic fans worthwhile regardless of their power source? Many articles say they are not.

However, the first step is to insulate as much as you can. Certainly the door and then the attic space if you can.

[Quixote]

The article you are referring to shows a photo of a solar fan and the opening sentence of the article is - "Are solar attic fans worth installing?"

However the point is are attic fans worthwhile regardless of their power source? Many articles say they are not.

However, the first step is to insulate as much as you can. Certainly the door and then the attic space if you can.

The article was confusing, as you point out, in that it shows a picture of a solar fan and it does say "solar attic fans" in the opening sentence. It then goes on to point out that the cost of electricity to operate the attic fan, meaning obviously that it's not solar, could outweigh the cost of electricity saved. Huh?

It may be argued either way: that there IS a benefit, or that there ISN'T. However, if indeed it can be measured accurately and it turns out to be the latter, it certainly is not for the reason cited, that is, the cost of electricity, since no electricity is used operating a solar-powered fan! The one thing I do know—and granted it is subjective—is that both attic and garage feel not as hot, FWIW.

[Happinow]

Mitsubishi .....not sure it's a mini-split. Says slim on the front. Cools well. Keep the garage at 82.

[telder]

Change out your old hot water tank which in the garage with a new style heat pump water tank because the heat pump puts out cold air as it heats the water -- doing double duty as an air conditioner this will keep the garage cooler.

[tommy steam]

By ventilating to the attic, you have voided the fire rating of your garage ceiling.

That is very interesting . A lot of folks are trying different methods of taking the heat out, but not realizing how it might be harmful to their home. Has anyone had the door insulated and the ceiling insulated. Did it make it any cooler?

[jimbo2012]

I think the safe solution is not exhausting the attic, the article cited above is likely correct it pulls air out of the A/C 'd part of the house.

I was about to install a solar fan, I nixed that idea.

the attic door should not have a grille or be left open, surprised a retired fireman hasn't jumped in on that issue, It would feed O2 into the flames.

Been thinking about taking an exhaust fan from the garage ceiling and ducting it thu the roof.

Much like your stove / microwave is done or bath fan.

they R under $100, safe and you would only be taking the air out of the garage space.

Tommy, insulating the ceiling and door must have a positive effect but how many years to recoup that investment?

[DaveNKath]

I had insulation (R30)blown in my garage ceiling yesterday. Temp yesterday inside 96, temp today a cool 94. I additionally added a 54in ceiling fan in the garage, hence cool 94 Ha. My money is on finding an a/c unit like Happinow a couple of posts updid.

[jimbo2012]

So it was a waste of $$, is that what you are saying?

[tommy steam]

I had insulation (R30)blown in my garage ceiling yesterday. Temp yesterday inside 96, temp today a cool 94. I additionally added a 54in ceiling fan in the garage, hence cool 94 Ha. My money is on finding an a/c unit like Happinow a couple of posts updid.

Which way does your door face? Did you insulate it?

[tommy steam]

I think the safe solution is not exhausting the attic, the article cited above is likely correct it pulls air out of the A/C 'd part of the house.

I was about to install a solar fan, I nixed that idea.

the attic door should not have a grille or be left open, surprised a retired fireman hasn't jumped in on that issue, It would feed O2 into the flames.

Been thinking about taking an exhaust fan from the garage ceiling and ducting it thu the roof.

Much like your stove / microwave is done or bath fan.

they R under $100, safe and you would only be taking the air out of the garage space.

Tommy, insulating the ceiling and door must have a positive effect but how many years to recoup that investment?
I like this idea. :BigApplause:

[DaveNKath]

Hi, my garage faces north. Haven't done the door yet but will insulate it.

Think of it this way. Our houses are insulated. Shut off your AC, 5,8,12 hours run 5 fans during that time. It's going to be hot. How much less hot than outside? That's what came to me today. Funny huh?

[gamby]

We moved in late last year and found an heavy duty attic fan in the in the garage ceiling.
It works great but I have to open the garage door some to allow for a fresh air intake. Otherwise it takes air from the laundry door area and I discovered
the suction blew out the pilot light in the water heater in the garage if I don't open the gar. door about a foot.

I like the idea of a heat pump water heater , (Above post) I'll look into it.

[graciegirl]

I just get out of my car or cart and go in the house.

I don't spend much time out there when it's this hot. I guess some people do have craft areas there or may be worrying about what is stored out there getting too hot?

They told me at Laurel Manor that I could bring my art stuff in and use the art room when it wasn't in use.

[batman911]

Aren't yours doors on the west side and the bloc wall on the south the way Amherst goes?

We are on the turn at the bottom of Amherst so West hits both the garage door and one wall. I would normally just plant trees to block the sun but we are close to the property line on that side.

[jimbo2012]

you can plant within that 5' setback, vine types may work well because they will stay close to walls.

[gomoho]

Please don't beat me up, but I'm just wondering what on earth everyone is doing in their garage that they need it to be cool??? I thought maybe I was missing something and felt the door that leads to the garage and all walls that have the garage on the other side to see if maybe they were allowing heat in the house, but did not find that to be the case at all. I have a west facing garage and it gets hot out there so I leave the door cracked to let some air in and out. I have a fridge out there that probably works overtime and store my Christmas stuff in plastic bins and other garage stuff, but don't see a problem. Am I missing something???

[jimbo2012]

you're missing all the fun.......

[buzzy]

Workshop for model aircraft hobby, for example.

[gamby]

I'm making some custom doors for the house and can only use the garage in the A.M. or after 5 P.M.

Garage faces West.

[gomoho]

thanks for your explanations

[batman911]

Please don't beat me up, but I'm just wondering what on earth everyone is doing in their garage that they need it to be cool??? I thought maybe I was missing something and felt the door that leads to the garage and all walls that have the garage on the other side to see if maybe they were allowing heat in the house, but did not find that to be the case at all. I have a west facing garage and it gets hot out there so I leave the door cracked to let some air in and out. I have a fridge out there that probably works overtime and store my Christmas stuff in plastic bins and other garage stuff, but don't see a problem. Am I missing something???

May be a guy thing. I work on cars, lawn equipment and anything else that may need fix'in. I added a work shop on to the back of our golf cart garage so I plan to spend time in there as well. And most of all, it is a good place to hide when the wife is in a stir.

[CFrance]

Setting the guy thing aside, gomoho, I wonder if the garage being so hot is affecting the house by letting heat seep through into the laundry room. We go in and out mostly through the garage. Also, I would like my car's interior to be cooler when I get in it in the middle of the afternoon.

People have mentioned that leaving the garage open invites critters and snakes and bugs into the garage. we are thinking of just having the golf cart garage screened with a retractable for ventilation purposes so we can have airflow minus the wildlife.

[Shimpy]

I saw a real nice attic fan in the garage ceiling that was thermostatically controlled in the attic. The couple had a couple vents in the bottom of the garage door. It's was amazing. Cooled the garage and the attic temperature by 30+ degrees.

I don't see a solar fan moving that much air.

This is very hard to believe. My garage in summer is about 93 degs. If I cooled it by 30 degs to 63F then I'd need a sweater to go into my garage July and Aug.

[Tom Grooms]

I don't care what you believe.

My north facing 3 car garage gets over 110 alot in the summer. It's 92 degrees in there now and it's only 79 outside.

The couple I was referring to have the thermostat in their attic set at 110 degrees on and off @ 90 degrees. Temps up there soar to over 125 degrees all summer long.

30+ degrees is easily accessible in the attic which is what I was referencing. I bet I could get 25 or 30 in my garage in the summer.

[gomoho]

Setting the guy thing aside, gomoho, I wonder if the garage being so hot is affecting the house by letting heat seep through into the laundry room. We go in and out mostly through the garage. Also, I would like my car's interior to be cooler when I get in it in the middle of the afternoon.

People have mentioned that leaving the garage open invites critters and snakes and bugs into the garage. we are thinking of just having the golf cart garage screened with a retractable for ventilation purposes so we can have airflow minus the wildlife.

I specifically checked the inside of the laundry room door to see if it felt hot - it was as cool as the room inside. Now when we go in and out of that door, which we also do a lot since the beer is chilled in the fridge in the garage, we do allow heat to come in the house; however I am thrilled with the comfort level in the house and the cost to keep it there.

Now as far as critters we have now been here a year and a few days and yes we had a snake, but if he had not gotten himself stuck to those stick traps Massey puts in the garage he probably would have found his way out without my husband having to murder him 'cause he was wrapped around the garage door frame.

I like your idea about a screen for just the golf cart garage. We do keep the "big door" open about 2 feet to allow air to come in the garage but it also allows dust and dirt to come in. The screen sounds like a good idea, but then when the sun came around (west facing) I'm afraid it would get too hot.

God I love being retired and having this being the "problem of the day". Life is good in The Villages.:loco:

[senior citizen]

Would it be foolhardy to extend the air conditioning into the garage, but with a separate thermostat? We were thinking that we might do just that, whenever we buy in TV.....and only use the "air" in the worst part of the spring, summer and autumn months......

It would be a different "zone" than the interior of the home ....

It would be kept at a higher temp than the home......mostly used to get the humidity out, plus keep heat down.

Hubby does not like getting into a hot car. Been there, done that.
We would use our car for grocery shopping, other shopping and such, as we did when visiting TV.
Actually, we would use our car for mostly everything.........so would want to keep it as cool as possible.

Thanks in advance for replies from anyone who does have an air conditioned garage.

[mulligan]

I would be surprised if AC in the garage was legal. You would be sucking fumes from the garage into the house through the return air duct, and if the house zone was running at the same time, they would be blown throughout the house. Of course, you could install a completely separate unit.

[senior citizen]

I would be surprised if AC in the garage was legal. You would be sucking fumes from the garage into the house through the return air duct, and if the house zone was running at the same time, they would be blown throughout the house. Of course, you could install a completely separate unit.

Good thinking.

I just read something similar in a 2007 post from a Fort Lauderdale Florida blog of sorts........mostly men, who were concerned about cooling their garages.

Many who replied were concerned about the fumes, etc. and mentioned it would NOT be legal.

Some mentioned Homeowners Associations prohibiting such.

Others told the guy to just put in a $700 window or wall air conditioning unit for the garage.

We have four zone heating in our northern home here.
I was thinking of a different "zone" for the garage in Florida???

[mulligan]

The cooling zones are separate, but they all return to the same plenum on the air handler. Completely separate cooling could be achieved with a ductless unit mounted on the garage wall, and the compressor on a pad outside. Window/through the wall units are not allowed by deed restriction. Cooling the garage would be, in my mind, a very expensive proposition because every time you opened the rollup door, you would lose ALL the cool air, and the cooling process would have to start from scratch.

[gomoho]

I can't ever remember getting into my car in the garage and it being hot! When I pull in I always put the windows down and it is very comfortable no matter the temperature in the garage - thinking this to be the case because it is not baking in the sun.

[Advogado]

One tip on maintaining a reasonable garage temperature that it took me a while to wake up to: In the summer, leave your car in the driveway until the motor temperature drops to normal. Then pull it into the garage. A hot engine block can turn a garage into an inferno.

Two other inexpensive things to do: Vents in the garage door (about $90 for two, installed-- with snap-in covers for cold weather) and a pedestal floor fan (about $30 or so at Walmart).

But nothing, short of air conditioning, is going to make a garage really comfortable when it is 95 degrees outside, with 98% humidity.

[Cedwards38]

I'm taking a three step approach to this.

The first step was stop the heat getting in by insulating the garage door. I added a "radiant barrier" on the inside of the door. This was a simple DIY project that took about 3 hours and cost $50.

This step was completed about a month ago and seems to have dropped the temperature quite well. I am waiting for the hotter weather to confirm how helpful this really is.

Insulating the attic above the garage would help a lot but we use that space for storage so can't do it.

The second step was to "vent" the heat from the garage. I'm testing this by leaving the attic stairs open a few inches. If this proves worthwhile I may add vents (and perhaps a fan) to the garage ceiling.

The third step would be to add a solar roof fan in the attic to further vent the hot air. At this stage I'm not doing this and there is information that this "may" not be a wise thing to do.

Tell me more about the "radiant barrier." What is this? Where do you buy it? How is it installed? How much difference have you seen? My garage door faces west, so it gets a little warm in there in the afternoon. Thanks.

[Blackie]

Tell me more about the "radiant barrier." What is this? Where do you buy it? How is it installed? How much difference have you seen? My garage door faces west, so it gets a little warm in there in the afternoon. Thanks.


Garage Door Insulation - DIY Radiant Barrier - YouTube (http://youtu.be/OROTrjn1j9E)

This is a YouTube video explaining the radiant barrier and how to install it.

I have taken some outside temperatures (in the shade) and then taken the temperatures inside the garage and have found that inside is 1 to 2 degrees cooler than outside - which is about as good as I expected.

The only time is has been really hot in the garage is after the car returned, it then takes a while to cool down. My garage faces a little west of south.

[Shimpy]

Folks, you're not going to bring the temp of you're garage down to comfortable with fans. If so we'd do our whole house that way. Most garage ceilings are not insulated. Even if they were, and the air in the attic could be evacuated, sucking in outside air that's 95 degs thru vents in the garage door won't make your garage much less than that. When the ambiant temp is 95 the only way to get it to comfortable requires A/C. There's no getting around it. Fans will make you feel cooler by wind chill, if it's blowing right on you, but not enough to make you comfortable.

[Advogado]

Folks, you're not going to bring the temp of you're garage down to comfortable with fans. If so we'd do our whole house that way. Most garage ceilings are not insulated. Even if they were, and the air in the attic could be evacuated, sucking in outside air that's 95 degs thru vents in the garage door won't make your garage much less than that. When the ambiant temp is 95 the only way to get it to comfortable requires A/C. There's no getting around it. Fans will make you feel cooler by wind chill, if it's blowing right on you, but not enough to make you comfortable.

Exactly. If it is 95 outside, sooner or later it will be 95 inside-- without air conditioning. Insulation just slows down the heating processes. It doesn't cool. Fans just cool you off because of wind chill. They do not lower the temperature. Door vents also won't cool, but they can help with the wind chill and help keep the garage from getting even hotter than it is outside by circulating the air. My suggestion: if you want a cool garage, go north, way north, for the summer.

[patfla06]

Garage Door Insulation - DIY Radiant Barrier - YouTube (http://youtu.be/OROTrjn1j9E)

This is a YouTube video explaining the radiant barrier and how to install it.

I have taken some outside temperatures (in the shade) and then taken the temperatures inside the garage and have found that inside is 1 to 2 degrees cooler than outside - which is about as good as I expected.

The only time is has been really hot in the garage is after the car returned, it then takes a while to cool down. My garage faces a little west of south.

Do you know WHERE to buy this?
Lowe's and Home Depot do NOT carry it.

Thanks!

[Blackie]

Do you know WHERE to buy this?
Lowe's and Home Depot do NOT carry it.

Thanks!

The insulation is "Perma R." I bought the exact same material at Lowes on Hwy 441 - this was only about 6 weeks ago, they had plenty in stock then.

It is in sheets of about 4ft x 8ft (I think).