Portable air conditioner in the garage... experiences?

[texxter]

Well, I am tired of not being able to use my garage as a studio during the hot months and I am planning to install an A/C unit. Any experiences or recommendations from those of you that have done it? Here are some of my specifics. I'd be interested in electrician recommendations as well in the Plano/Dallas areas

This is a not a permanent garage conversion. I just want to be able to turn on the A/C unit prior to a shoot and then turn it off and continue using the space as a garage, so I can't seal the door, for example.

Window unit or portable? I am leaning towards a portable one on wheels, like this one here, 14,000 BTU for a two-car garage. More expensive, but more versatile.

Do I need to get an electrician to install a circuit for this puppy? I can't tell how much wattage it will pull, need to find out.

Do you know if a bucket may be sufficient to get rid of the water from the air, or do I need to install a vent for the pipe?

Sorry if these are very basic questions, I am trying to make this into a simple project, but I am afraid I know little about HVAC!

Paco

[andyz]

We have a portable like that. It has a small tub that needs to be emptied once a day or so, depending on use. It plugs into the wall. As you'll see the window behind it, that is the vent. You have a dryer sized hose that leads to the window. At the window there is a board (for lack of a better description) that the hose attaches to and the window closes on. If you don't have an exterior window you'd have to create a large version of this for under the garage.

As to power, unless your lights and equipment are pulling a lot, this should not be an issue, but you can do the math based on your specifics.

[kenw]

I like the portable versions altho I've never owned one. The biggest issue is that they aren't all that portable, you still have to duct the exhaust to the outside, most use a dryer vent-sized duct (in your linked unit, it's the white 4" pipe going to the window). If there is no window to place the exhaust thru, a simple dryer vent kit is all you'll need. (you MUST exhaust it outside!) A portable unit will plug into almost any existing outlet with no extra wiring required, altho you might want to limit how many other high-powered devices are in the same circuit.

The one you linked to evaporates the condensate so no drain line is needed, a huge plus in my book.

[PaulP]

Paco,

I tried looking up the technical specs but couldn't find a manual online. However 1480W at nrmal AC voltage range (110-120v) indicates less than 15amps so if you have a 15 or 20 amp circuit in the garage you should be good. Note if it is GFCI, the initial current draw on turn on could trip the outlet. It all depends on the unit. Note I am not an electrician by trade so YMMV.

I would definately plan on using the exhaust hose to the outside as it will be hot air. Keep in mind that to replace that air there will be a suction into the garage but no garage is sealed that well so it shouldn't be an issue. The unit has auto evaporation so water should not be an issue, if it is extremely humid out (like now) there may be a built in bucket you will have to empty - this varies from model to model. They do shutoff when the water is full.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it works out and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Paul

[CaptainTom]

my first thought was that I've tried this in the reverse season in upstate NY.
I used my garage as a workshop. When it was cold outside ( 0 fahrenheit )
it was pretty comfy in the garage.
The secret as I discovered is to insulate the garage as much as practical. It's not hard to add some insulation to the ceiling and walls. The door is the weakest link.

Sounds like you are going about this in a good way. Good luck.

[texxter]

Thank you guys for all the good advice. I'll find out the wattage and figure out if the amperage on my garage circuit is good enough. I'd rather not hire an electrician and treat this just as a regular appliance! Tom, good point about the insulation - the attic over my garage is not insulated, so I'll do that before I install the unit.

I will also drill a dryer vent to the outside, should be pretty simple. Just need to make sure no critters get into the house thru it!

Thank you so much again!
-Paco

[carrbowl]

Paco, my husband is wanting to do the same thing to our garage. But it is a 3 car... I'm curious why you don't want to install it in the wall....just curious. Personally I think it would be out of the way...you might change my mind...

[texxter]

Renae, my main concern is making permanent changes to the garage. I like the idea of having a portable unit that I can take with me when I need it elsewhere. Also, for a window unit I need to run power lines and I need to hire someone to install it. So it ends up being more expensive even though the unit itself may be cheaper. Another consideration is that I don't know how I will need my walls for shooting, and I prefer to put a unit on the floor in a corner than block a chunk of wall permanently. Those are my thoughts.

And I wish I had a three car garage, I'd be able to create images in a bigger space that I cannot create in my two-car garage. But, hey, I am not complaining. I am just happy my wife gave me the green light to spend money on this project :-)

[JohnT]

Thanks for posting about this. Using my garage as a part-time studio is something I'm planning to start sometime this year. Just need to clean, paint, clean, and cool (did I mention clean?). :-)

[kenw]

Renae, your home owner association may prohibit window/wall mounted units.

[Coelus]

Originally Posted by texxter

Renae, my main concern is making permanent changes to the garage. I like the idea of having a portable unit that I can take with me when I need it elsewhere. Also, for a window unit I need to run power lines and I need to hire someone to install it. So it ends up being more expensive even though the unit itself may be cheaper. Another consideration is that I don't know how I will need my walls for shooting, and I prefer to put a unit on the floor in a corner than block a chunk of wall permanently. Those are my thoughts.

And I wish I had a three car garage, I'd be able to create images in a bigger space that I cannot create in my two-car garage. But, hey, I am not complaining. I am just happy my wife gave me the green light to spend money on this project :-)

You can always open the door and shoot from outside to inside if you need more distance. It makes the lighting a bit tricky. The other question is do you have enough ceiling height?

[texxter]

Originally Posted by Coelus

You can always open the door and shoot from outside to inside if you need more distance. It makes the lighting a bit tricky. The other question is do you have enough ceiling height?

John, well, let's say I do the best I can with the space I've got. I use the entire garage, i.e., need to get vehicles out every time I use it, not a big deal. I have 9 ft. ceiling which is fine for typical work, but limits how big my sources of illumination can be (no 7ft octobox for me) and how high I can place them.

Shooting with the garage door open is a possibility and it allows me to use natural light for a tighter depth of field. It's something I should try. Thanks for the suggestion! And you're right, I am still limited by the 9ft ceiling.

One day, perhaps, I can get together with another photographer and rent a real place with plenty of natural light and space to create! But I can't justify it financially now - unless it's super cheap, that is.

[carrbowl]

Good point Ken...I will check into that!! We actually were looking at doubling the garage..making it a "6 car garage". We have too many musical instruments that needed more room.. the kids decided to keep sharing rooms, and we gave up a guest room..crammed the instruments into one room. just can't justify $70,000 for that right now...although it would be nice for a studio down the road??? : (

[AndrewCCM]

I have a smaller version (I think 9000 btu)... and it "helps" but does not sufficiently cool my little 13x14 (10ft ceilings) upstairs office. It is vented out through a dryer hose as well... I have 2 PCs with several NAS/storage units running full time...which generate most of the heat. The room is upstairs and in the Northeast corner of my home.

Feels great when you stand in front of it...but during the day on a hot day, it will never get my room cool enough.. and that is using it as a supplement to my normal house AC.

I am guessing that the 14k BTU will do a decent job... But I don't know if it'll be the end all be all you may be hoping for... Especially, if it is the only AC source. Please let us know how it works out.

[Cajungaltx]

I converted a little more than have of our garage over a year ago. I hired a contractor who put in what I call 'knock down walls' - he framed them in, and attached them to the joists/walls using screws. So if/when we sell - the new owner has the option to 'knock' down the walls...

I had him insulate, float & tape, and paint, installed crown molding, reroute an A/C duct to that room, wiring (moved the garage door opener, added some outlets, and moved the light... for $1300.

I took a unique approach on adding it - most people will go 'long ways - picture a car parked in the garage"... we went the other way. We hadn't parked our cars in the garage since we bought the house 2 years ago, so it really did't matter... and it left the 'end' of the garage for storage. The room is 11x17.

I'm in a smaller home (1503 square foot) and the A/C unit that we have was NOT enough to keep that area cool. So we put in a window unit in the front of the house... and fashioned a really nice little cabinet/seating arrangement around it to camouflage it... we are working with an A/C tech now to design a dampner system as my daughter's rooms are ICE cold....and the kitchen/dining room/living room area can be freaking HOT! I love high ceilings, but they can screw your cooling pattern...