Garage - cooling during the summer

[BamaGambler]

I've order all my stuff for my simulator setup in my garage. I currently have a Net Return setup. I'm guessing during the summer it is going to be hot as hell in my garage (it's very hot and humid in Alabama). Should I get a big fan or a portable ac unit? The garage is about 20' x 45'.


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[Ironstrokes]

Was just discussing the same thing with my dad the other day about he best route to go for this during the summer. Unfortunately, the best spot to put my screen was right in front of the side of my garage that has the 2 windows on it. Still had plenty of room to put a window ac in and it seemed to work ok but not as well as I would like. Hes suggesting running an exhaust fan during the day and then the AC at night when I usually play more. So gonna give that a go first and if that does work well enough im probably gonna go with the portable AC so I can have it pointing right at me when needed. Your window looks like it nice and clear, so Id think a window AC would work very nicely for you.

[BamaGambler]

My enclosure will cover both of those windows. There is another window but it goes to our back deck. Not sure the wife would let me hang a unit in it.


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[Ironstrokes]

My enclosure will cover both of those windows. There is another window but it goes to our back deck. Not sure the wife would let me hang a unit in it.


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Ah, read it too quickly, thought that picture was the final setup. Yea, sounds like you are going to be in the same boat as me. Gonna try the exhaust fan soon but is only in the 70s right now in the philly area so wont know how well it works for sure until the heat of the summer hits. Ive looked into it a little bit and saw so ok priced portable ACs that wouldn't be as much of an eye sore as the full window AC, but even the lower end ones that are half decent seem to be at least 300-400 bucks and you still have to vent it to the window (but not too bad looking if done right), so trying to avoid that myself if I don't have to. Ive used a fan as well last summer, but that didn't seem to do much at all during the hotter days while you are constantly swinging.

[drewtaylor21]

Hilarious, I just logged in to start this same topic. It's April and already getting really hot in my garage in Vegas (no A/C, no windows). I can put a fan in easily enough, but I'm curious if anyone has any portable A/C ideas they've used in their setups.....

[Jb50]

Drewtaylor, since your in Vegas, have you thought about an evaporative cooler? Check out the Bonaire evaporative cooler. It's really slim compared to the traditional coolers. I'm in Vegas(Henderson) too. I have a portable cooler that I don't think is going to do much when it gets really hot. I'm considering one of these probably next year and install through wall.

[drewtaylor21]

Only issue is I'm renting right now, so I can't really do anything to the walls....

[Jb50]

I ended up taking back the portable evaporative cooler I bought because it just wasn't cutting it. I bought another portable that is much better but also about twice the price. It worked very well yesterday but of course it wasn't very hot. We'll see how it does when it gets above 100.

[mthunt]

Take it from someone that has a wood shop. AC unit is a must. You'll hit five balls and be drenched in sweat. The floor mount with an exhaust hose is easy. The window one above the door is cheaper.

[SwingLeft]

I put a mini split in my building. very efficient + not very expensive.

[BamaGambler]

SwingLeft, that looks great! I think I'm going to go with that.


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[Ironstrokes]

I put a mini split in my building. very efficient + not very expensive.

That does look real nice and slick, may have to look into that myself as well. Nice

Edit: Just peaked and at a thousand buck for the lower end ones, may be more then I personally want to spend on it right now, but definitely something worth checking out. Seems like it would work great, good luck with the build Bama, post some pics when you got it all running and let us know how well the mini split works for you. Id be curious to know as it may be something I go with down the line.

[SwingLeft]

I bought mine off of eBay for ~$850. I hooked everything up then called my AC guy just to pull the vacuum since I don't have a pump. I needed AC and heat so the price difference wasn't much between it and a window unit, and it is so much more efficient 23 seer.

[gene438]

Did a lot of research on this issue as I just finished my garage build in Louisiana. Yes, you will definitely need an ac unit. The first step is to determine the amount of BTU's you need. Google AC calculator and you will find many calculators that will tell you what you need.

My suggestion is that you get a 15,500 BTU unit. First, that is the largest you can get with a standard plug (120v). Higher up units require 220v which will require an electrician to come out and run a line (probably around $300 to $500)

I have roughly the same square footage you have and I can tell you, the 15,500 BTU unit works well and can cool down the room very quickly. I got a unit with auto temp control but I usually just turn the unit on when I am getting ready to hit and within 10 minutes, the room has cooled down. Also, I was ,lucky that in my setup, the air actually blows right on my hitting mat.

[inorkuo]

i think i have the same unit as gene. kenmore 15,500 btu? all the research i did said that portable ac units are not as efficient as window units plus they are more expensive. my garage has windows that roll open sideways plus my neighborhood's HOA bylaws prohibit window units so i had to do a non-standard installation. i found a good tutorial on how to turn a window unit into a semi portable unit http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/...made-portable/

i took the idea in the link and used foam board to seal off the back portion of the ac unit to the window.