Garage Ventilation Input

Looking for input and advice on how to approach the current challenge with my garage temperatures.

Facts:
Three car garage.
Doors face south, painted dark brown.
All walls full insulated.
Close to two thirds of ceiling is insulated as there are rooms above.
Remaining third of ceiling not insulated, just open to roof framing.
Only ventilation for “attic” space is soffit vents.

It’s hot in Texas so I thought insulating the walls would help but the temps still quickly climb to higher than outside. Trying to find ways to make it more comfortable short of installing a split system.

Add insulation to the garage doors?
Insulate the remaining ceiling?
Add solar powered vent to the roof to draw air out of the attic space?

I already have two 18” fans hanging on the ceiling to move air but hoping to do more. Any advice welcome including just throwing down the cash for a split system.

 

Why does the garage need to be climate controlled?

 

Not looking for full climate control just knock it down so it is more comfortable as I have a home gym in the third bay and like to work at my workbench in something less than 100 degrees.

 

There’s no real way to induce a draft unless you open a window, if there is one, and put in some type of attic fan, or some other means of pulling negative air. But you don’t want the garage air in your attic either, so it need to be pumped directly to the exterior. A mini split is probably the most effective way to keep temps somewhat regulated when you want it to be.

 

Swamp cooler works well during low humidity periods

 

I just might have the answer ...

This past summer I also suffered from my garage temps being ridiculously high and unbearable so I did some research and found something that I 100% want to do to my garage that has zero insulation. I installed a wall mounted fan up high but quickly found that all it's doing is pushing all of the hot air downward so that was pointless.

The answer could possibly be this...

$189 AC Infinity AIRLIFT T12, Shutter Exhaust Fan 12" with WiFi Temperature Humidity Controller, EC-Motor Wall Mount Ventilation and Cooling for Sheds, Attics, Workshops, and Greenhouses

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T81RKH8

They come in different sizes and are available at Home Depot. Research them and you'll see that you can program it to automatically turn on when it reaches a certain temp. Installation should be in a high location where all of the hot air is.

Hope this helps and if you do go this route, please keep us updated

 

Same boat here. As I was insulating my 3 bay, it was somewhat noticeable as I finished roof sections. You might as well finish that off and put a small vent fan... I haven't put up any drywall yet, because I'm still debating if I want that for the walls, but that'll certainly help since the insulation doesn't cut it on its own.

Also, search for a HVAC unit someone has replaced. I picked up an old packaged 3 ton for I think $200. Spent more on a run of 25' flex duct and 15" flex line.

 

Attic fan for the win. Makes a HUGE difference - and can hook up to a thermostat to automatically turn on at a certain temperature

 

Attic fan and the best insulation you can get for that exposed roof, the doors, and blinds/shades for the windows.

If $$ is no object, roof vent, insulation, solar, proper HVAC.

 

You would still want air being pumped in. Helper vent the air out. Also be sure no air is leaking from the inside of the house to the garage. Also, would be ideal to place the fan at the outside of the house and add a damper in the ducts. Don't want hot air to come back into the garage.

 

If you are only wanting to make it a bit more bearable for a couple hours while you work out - I would try a mister fan first (there are some really powerful batt ones you can take along other places for multi-uses) - they really cool the air about 15 degrees and feels oh so much better. If that is not enough then I suggest a small mini-split. Luck and enjoy the workouts.

 

For me, this thing was an absolute game changer...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bonaire...ative-Cooler-for-1900-sq-ft-6280035/303666271

I used one on my kennel building in Vegas, and I swear there were days I'd go sit in the kennel cuz it was nicer than it was in the house....

So, a bit different than a traditional swamp cooler in the fact that it works off a box fan design, which also means you're not dealing w/the fan belt, squirel cage, weight and bulk of the exterior cabinet, etc... this was also less expensive (in terms of electricity to run)... Maintenance and down time was about an 1/8 of a traditional swamper for me w/this unit; pad replacement and corrosion is much less frequent than tradtional swamper too

Plus if humidity climbs too much during the summer or if you're just looking to move stale air during the winter, you can just run the fan only and OMG this thing moves some air for minimal cost. The couple of times we'd hit freezing there, I'd turn on a little space heater and set the fan on this to low and it was perfect for moving air around.

So, apparently this brand was originally designed/used for cooling homes in Australia and has been around for a really long time....

 

O yes, Humidity. I had to add a gable fan in my attic. This was due to the shitty install of my a/c handle in my attic. Had/have air leaks from the unit and on summer days, the thing would sweat. So, I had to help draw some heat and humidity out of the attic.

 

South Houston Swamp area
detached garage - unfinished
home gym in 3rd bay

I put in a whirly bird, at top of roof peak to pull the hot air out....then I mounted a vornado fan just under the whirly bird to accelerate the air pull.

it makes a remarkable diff.

We use swamp fans during the Africa season.

we have a total of 7 fans during summer workout.

and the ambient is still 95'.


unless you enclose & insulate the area, you are spinning your wheels.

 

I’m currently having an issue with my tundra start up when warming up inside garage. I normally let it run in the winter about 5-10 mins with remote start and garage door closed. Exhaust is causing a major amount of fumes and condensation. I have a tool box next to my truck and a lot of my tools are starting to rust. I’m looking to find an extractor that can automatically detect to turn on. Any one using something similar for this issue?

 

this made me think of a fire station and older emissions inspection stations/bays. if you google exhaust evacuation or firehouse exhaust extraction, you'll see a bunch of options. i do confess that i don't know more than what my own curiosity just uncovered.

 

Don’t do this. Open the garage door if you start your car.

 

Serious reply... You should not be doing this.

Co2 is lethal in confined space and at best you're exposing yourself and anyone else entering those conditions to elevated blood gas levels. There's a reason FD won't even enter a garage during a suicide attempt or after completion of the act w/o full self contained gear on when a running vehicle is involved...

 

And another reason I have an app for my garage door.