Portable Air Conditioners

Gadgetman · #1 08-19-2007, 05:43 PM

I live in Jacksonville FL and my garage is extremely hot to work in. Do you have experience using a Portable Air Conditioning unit? From what I've researched, I will need to vent the exhaust outside. I would probably open up an exhaust vent similar to a dryer machine exhaust vent.

What brands do you recommend?

Your inputs will determine if I should invest in a portable AC setup.

Phil · #2 08-19-2007, 06:10 PM

I have one that I've been using.

10,000 BTU portable unit.
The garage is 2 car attached to the house.

The A/C can't cool the garage off, but it can maintain a temp. So if I get out there early in the day and get in front of the heat, it's fine.

If I have to cool the garage off, I open the door to the house and blow the inside A/C into the garage with a fan. That will actually cool the garage if I'm running the portable A/C in combination.

After I've got the garage cool, I can run solo on the Portable Unit. Occasionally I might need a boost from the inside, but it doesn't occur very often.

BTW - Today, I insulated the garage door with styrofoam. We'll see how well that performs. It cost about 20 bucks.

I took this photo today after I completed the work. You can also see the portable A/C in the lower left. I ran a drain hose out the corner of the garage door and it has an exhaust hose that is held in place by opening the window and closing it back down on the frame. Easy to use and none invasive.

So far, the garage has been very comfortable. I haven't been dripping sweat all over my work.

By the way, did I mention I live in Houston???

Phil

Mitch757 · #3 08-19-2007, 06:12 PM

I have a Maytag portable I purchased at Home Depot a couple years ago. I'm not really impressed with it's performance relative to a similar window unit...and it costs a LOT more.

Mitch Garner
RV-4 flying

FredMagare · #4 08-19-2007, 06:23 PM

I have one similar to Phil. As he stated, it won't cool the garage, but I simply move it to a position where it will blow right on me. It makes a HUGE difference!

Phil · #5 08-19-2007, 06:29 PM

Yeah, lots of times I will roll it into position so cold air is blowing on me. Very nice!

My tables are on casters too, so I can position the table in front of the A/C.

Gadgetman · #6 08-19-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

I have one that I've been using.

10,000 BTU portable unit.
The garage is 2 car attached to the house.

The A/C can't cool the garage off, but it can maintain a temp. So if I get out there early in the day and get in front of the heat, it's fine.

If I have to cool the garage off, I open the door to the house and blow the inside A/C into the garage with a fan. That will actually cool the garage if I'm running the portable A/C in combination.

After I've got the garage cool, I can run solo on the Portable Unit. Occasionally I might need a boost from the inside, but it doesn't occur very often.

BTW - Today, I insulated the garage door with styrofoam. We'll see how well that performs. It cost about 20 bucks.

I took this photo today after I completed the work. You can also see the portable A/C in the lower left. I ran a drain hose out the corner of the garage door and it has an exhaust hose that is held in place by opening the window and closing it back down on the frame. Easy to use and none invasive.

So far, the garage has been very comfortable. I haven't been dripping sweat all over my work.

By the way, did I mention I live in Houston???

Phil

Phil,

I was thinking about insulating the garage too. Where did you purchase you foam? i.e. Home Depot? Does the foam attenuate the sound if your working in the garage?

By looking at your picture, what paint are you using on the floor? Is that an epoxy base paint? Looks good.

Thanks for the input.

captainron · #7 08-19-2007, 07:48 PM

I have one of these which works fabulously, and can even get too cold in my south Florida garage. The price here is about one thousand bucks below what they usually sell for, so buyer beware. If it really can be purchased for this price, it is a screaming deal!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ORDBVE/...E&linkCode=asn

I also insulated my metal door with Styrofoam which not only helps tremendously with the heat, but it also keeps the noise from getting to the outside. I can't even hear a car pull up outside the garage door!

More on this here:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ead.php?t=9781

tonyjohnson · #8 08-19-2007, 08:04 PM

Last weekend I bought a 10,000 btu portable unit from Home Depot. I put it in my garage. I does indeed blow cool/cold air, but did not lower the temp in my garage even one degree! I have a two car garage, with has three garage doors, one bay having one on each end. Perhaps that is why my garage has such poor insulation.

I took it back. I bought it for $317 on sale. Perhaps one of those $700+ dollar monsters would work.

I live Orlando and when I walk into my garage in july and august I turn into a sweat grenade. I am not getting a lot done on my project this summer for that reason.

apatti · #9 08-19-2007, 08:17 PM

I live in middle GA and it has been disgustingly hot and humid lately. Heat index has been between 105 - 115 for the past couple of weeks. I have an 8K or 10K BTU portable unit from Home Depot in a 3 car garage. No, it doesn't lower the temp in the overall garage. But, as others have said if you can work near it, it does make a difference. I also have two fans that I turn on to help circulate the air. I think one of the biggest helps is that it lowers the humidity some. I use it all the time. Oh, and my garage doors are not insulated. I, too, am interested in where you got the insulation and how much trouble it was to install.

Phil · #10 08-19-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadgetman

Phil,

I was thinking about insulating the garage too. Where did you purchase you foam? i.e. Home Depot? Does the foam attenuate the sound if your working in the garage?

By looking at your picture, what paint are you using on the floor? Is that an epoxy base paint? Looks good.

Thanks for the input.

Darren,

I picked up the foam at Lowes and it required four 4x8 sheets. This winter, I might go ahead and put some fiberglass in the attic. Right now, there isn't anything over the garage.

Since it's only been up for a day, I can't really give a fair report. But it did make a difference in how lively the noise is. Much of the ringing has been eliminated.

The floor is a 2-part epoxy. I've put down a few of these now and they do require some work and 3-4 days. Step #1 is to clean up any existing stains/oil spots. #2 etch the surface (well). #3 Mix it and roll it on thick.

I've had both dark gray and light gray. I don't like the dark gray at all; that's why I went with the lt gray in this garage.

You can spill anything on it paint thinner, fuel, oil, whatever. It just wipes up clean.

Phil