How to Cool Down Your Garage

Anyone who spends a lot of time working in the garage knows it can become uncomfortably hot in the summer. Not only does this affect how you feel, but many of the items that you might store out there, such as paint, collectible items, and metal tools, should usually be kept out of extreme temperatures.

Depending on where you live, the temperature in your garage may be hotter than recommended for yourself and your belongings, so you might wonder if it’s possible to put an air conditioner in the garage, or if it’s even safe to do so.

The short answer is yes, you can, and yes, it’s safe if done correctly. But just because you could doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Explore options for cooling your garage as efficiently as possible.

3 Considerations for Garage Air Conditioning

If you choose to put an air conditioner in the garage, strongly consider adding some sort of insulation, whether that’s within the walls or on the garage door itself. Without insulation the cool air from your AC unit will simply escape through the garage door or uninsulated walls, and the temperature will only stay at a comfortable level for a very short period of time, wasting energy and money while shortening the lifespan of the unit.

Before learning about the various types of air conditioners to help you cool off your garage, here are three things to keep in mind when buying an AC unit for that space.

1. Proper Ventilation

You’ll need to select a place to vent your air conditioner, such as an exterior wall, the garage door, or windows. If you don’t have an area to vent it properly, consider installing the vent in an exterior wall, which will likely require you to cut a small hole in the wall.

Whatever option you choose, venting the air conditioning unit is necessary while it’s running, because the hot air that gets released needs to have somewhere to go, otherwise it will just go through the unit and right back into your garage, defeating your efforts to cool the area. With a properly installed vent, the hot air can travel directly from the unit, through the vent, and out of the garage.

2. The Size of Your Garage

It’s also important to select an air conditioning unit that is large enough to provide enough cool air for your entire garage. You will need to determine the square footage and then compare it with the BTU rating of the unit. A higher BTU rating means that the unit will be able to eliminate more hot air from a larger space in a shorter amount of time. To help you figure out how many BTUs you’ll need for your garage, visit our BTU calculation table.

Because most garages have lots of open space, little to no insulation, and high temperatures, consider buying an AC unit with a higher BTU rating than you initially think you need. This will allow the air to cool faster and put less strain on the unit itself. It won’t be the silver bullet to cooling a garage, but it will certainly help.

3. A Commercial-Sized AC Unit

While they have a higher initial cost, commercial AC units are made with rugged, heavy-duty, and sturdy materials. These units are specifically designed for warehouses and factories, where an air conditioner is not necessarily feasible or cost-effective, and may be your best bet at cooling a hot environment like a garage.

Is a Garage Air Conditioner Worth It?

The answer to this question will vary from garage to garage and person to person. For many people, it may simply not be worth the time, money, and effort to install an air conditioner in the garage. For others, this could be a life-saver that makes the day-to-day more comfortable.

No matter what scenario you find yourself in, ask yourself these three questions when you are trying to make your decision on whether it’s worth it for you:

1. How hot does it get where you live?
2. How many hours do you plan on spending in the garage each day?
3. How many months will you have to deal with the warm weather?

If the temperature outside often gets extreme in your area and you plan on spending a lot of time in your garage, it may be worth the effort to install some type of cooling device in your garage. If you don’t spend much time out there, it may be easier to just get a simple fan to keep the air circulating around you.

The Best Options for Cooling a Garage

If you’ve decided that it is worth installing an air conditioner in your garage, now you’ll need to make another decision. There are many different types of air conditioners and they all have their pros and cons, and the fact that it’s going in your garage only makes this decision more complicated.

1. Window Air Conditioners

If you have a window in your garage, this type of air conditioner may be your best option. This is especially true if you have a smaller garage. Window air conditioning units are usually inexpensive and easy to install.

They have directional louvres allowing you to point the cool air to the specific area you will be working in. While these units are bulky and possibly somewhat noisy, they are an affordable, quick option for cooling small garages.

Once you have the window AC installed, you can safely shut the garage door, turn the unit on, and start to feel the temperature drop to a more comfortable level pretty quickly.

2. Portable Air Conditioners

If you can properly install one and meet certain conditions, portable air conditioners can help you avoid wasting money and energy. We would not recommend using one in your garage at times when the temperature goes above 90°, especially if your garage is not properly insulated. The short-term relief isn’t worth burning out the AC unit due to overworking it.

While portable air conditioners are great for indoor and residential use, they may not be the best option for the garage. It depends on whether you have a way to properly vent the unit.

If you don’t have a window that can easily vent the unit, you will need to consider installing a vent in an exterior wall. This could require you to cut a hole in the wall. If you have to go to these lengths, it may just be best to install a through-the-wall air conditioner, as they are usually cheaper and don’t take up floor space.

Portable air conditioners have the ability to lower your energy use and save you money. But, if your garage doesn’t have a spot to install a vent for the device, it’s hard to recommend one of these, especially if your garage isn’t properly insulated.

3. Mini-Split Air Conditioners

A mini-split air conditioner is another cooling option worth considering. As the name suggests, this type of air conditioner is split between the inside and outside.

They are appealing as a garage air conditioner because they don’t require ducts and are known to be extremely energy efficient. They are also mounted high up on the wall, allowing you to preserve floor space.

The main downsides of mini-split ACs is that they are more expensive to buy and also need to be installed by a certified HVAC professional. Not only does that drive up the overall costs, but you will still need to insulate the walls and garage door to get the true efficiency and savings these air conditioners offer.

When all is said and done, it may not be worth the time, money, and effort that goes into installing a mini-split in your garage. But if you work out there every single day, it may be the best option. Otherwise, the initial cost may prove to be too high to justify the purchase.

4. Dehumidifiers

This unexpected cooling solution for your garage actually isn’t a cooling solution at all. Sometimes, high humidity levels can make a garage feel hotter than it really is, which is why a dehumidifier is a great option to consider.

Using a dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the air, leaving your garage feeling cool and dry. While they don’t lower the actual temperature but can feel up to 10 degrees cooler because the relative humidity is reduced. They are cost effective, portable, and impermanent solutions for a hot garage.

Another benefit of using a dehumidifier in the garage is that they can be used in conjunction with one of the other cooling options mentioned above. Some air conditioners even come with dehumidifying capabilities installed as a feature. This is something to consider when deciding on whether or not you need to cool your space.

Can You Use AC to Cool Down Your Garage?

So, yes, you can cool your garage with air conditioning, but whether you should—and what type of AC you should choose—depends on your situation.

If you decide to use an air conditioner in your garage, be sure to make your garage as energy efficient as possible so you’re not throwing money away.