Neighborhood Garage Door Service of the Bay Area, CA works with homeowners all over who all have different needs. We get asked quite often, “Should I install air conditioning in the garage?” Here are a few things to consider about your home and garage to help you answer that question.
Reasons for Air Conditioning in the Garage
Some homeowners don’t see any real need at all for worrying about heating or cooling their garage space. If you are one who spends a lot of time in the garage for vehicle maintenance, woodworking, entertainment, etc., you may want it cooler in there. In addition, keeping your garage cool can also help in keeping your entire home cooler, especially the adjacent rooms.
Central Air vs. Space Air Conditioners
It may seem like a no-brainer to simply punch a hole in the wall and tie into the ductwork of your central A/C. Simply tying into the HVAC system in this way is highly inadvisable, unless you are ready to make more drastic changes. Unless you put an air return vent in the garage as well, you will cause a pressure imbalance in your home.
Instead, consider using a ductless space air conditioner that will only cool the garage itself. If your garage has windows, you can install a simple window unit. If not, you can use a portable unit, or one mounted to the ceiling.
Space Considerations
Different garages will have different cooling needs, primarily determined by size. Using an air conditioner that is designed for a room smaller than your garage will be a waste of electricity that doesn’t do much. Make sure to take this into account when looking at your portable or window units.
Measure the length, width, and height of your garage to get an accurate depiction of your need. A typical 20’x20’ garage will need a 10,000 BTU A/C unit to keep pace. If your garage is different in size, consult the manufacturer to know which size air conditioner you need.
Insulate for Better Results
No matter what size air conditioner you purchase, it will be a total waste of money if your garage is not properly insulated. Allowing too much temperature transfer out of the garage will negate any effect of the unit. Be sure you’ve properly insulated all of the following components:
- Walls – You should mainly be concerned with exterior walls here. Make sure that you have insulation put up, and perhaps even drywall.
- Door – Be sure your garage door has the highest possible insulation R-factor. Also, keep the edges sealed up tight with weather stripping.
- Windows – Be sure there are no cracks or gaps in your windows. Invest in double-paned glass for best results.
- Ceiling – Put insulation in any crawl-space or attic above the garage.
Call Us For Garage Door Insulation
Neighborhood Garage Door Service of the Bay Area, California is here to take care of any of your garage door service needs. If you want to install air conditioning in the garage, give us a call to insulate your door. We’ll make sure it’s sealed up tight to make your cooling as efficiently as possible.
