How to Keep Your Garage Cool During the Summer

Garages in the Southeast can get pretty hot during the summer. Most of them don’t have central air conditioning, and many garages lack ventilation as well. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your garage cool during the summer. If you regularly work in your garage, you may want to consider the following solutions to create a more comfortable space.

Fan

To combat hot temperatures during the summer, you can install a fan in your garage. Whether it’s a ceiling fan or freestanding fan, it will circulate air throughout your garage so that it feels cooler. A fan won’t necessarily lower the air temperature. Nonetheless, it will make your garage more comfortable by circulating the otherwise stagnant air.

Window AC

You can keep your garage cool during the summer by installing a window air conditioning unit. Window air conditioning systems are essentially small, window-installed central air conditioning systems. They typically range from 5,000 to 1,500 British Thermal Units (BTUs). For a small garage, a 5,000-BTU model may suffice. If you have a larger and more spacious garage, you may want to choose a window air conditioning system with a higher cooling capacity.

The downside to using a window air conditioning system is that it requires a window Not all garages have windows. Many garages only have glass panels for the garage door. You can’t install a window air conditioning system in these glass panels because there’s no frame to support it.

Ductless AC

Rather than a window air conditioning unit, you may want to install a ductless air conditioning system in your garage. Also known as mini-split air conditioning systems, ductless air conditioning systems are able to cool interior spaces without relying on ductwork. They consist of all the necessary cooling equipment in two separate units.

Most ductless air conditioning systems consist of a wall-mounted indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coil, whereas the outdoor unit contains the condenser coil and compressor. The evaporator coil will absorb heat from your garage, and the condenser coil will release it outside.

Ductless air conditioning systems don’t require a window. You can install them directly in a wall. Many people also prefer the appearance of ductless air conditioning systems over window units. Ductless air conditioning systems are typically smaller and sleeker than their window counterparts. Regardless, you can use a fan, window air conditioning system or a ductless air conditioning system to cool down your garage during the summer.