Adding an air conditioner to your garage can drastically improve the comfort of the space. Before you install one, consider the space you’ll need to cool, the type of air conditioner, and how much you’re willing to spend.
Sometimes, your garage is more than just a garage—it can double as your workshop, host your band practices, house the perfect late-night parties, and act as an extension of your home. However, if garages are not known for being temperate in extreme temperatures, and now your all-purpose space could be unbearable. That’s why more and more homeowners are choosing to install air conditioners in their garages.
Garage air conditioning can change the way you feel in your home’s most multifunctional space—that’s why Jerry
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, has compiled this guide on everything you need to know about adding an air conditioner to your garage. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Can you put an air conditioner in a garage?
If you’ve been struggling to work on your car or finish that project taking up space in your garage due to blazing hot summer temps, you are probably looking for ways to keep cool. You may have even thought about adding an air conditioner to your semi-outside space.
We have good news! Adding air conditioning to your garage can drastically improve the comfort you feel in your space—and it doesn’t stop there! By moderating the temperature in your garage, an A/C unit can:
Protect your tools and supplies from overheating
Prolong the lifespan of the items in your garage
Keep any VOCs—volatile organic compounds—safe (e.g. paint cans)
That said, installing an air conditioner in a garage isn’t as simple as adding a few extra ducts from your home system. In fact, you should never connect your garage to your home’s central A/C using ductwork! Not only does it create dangerous pathways for CO2 (and invisible and odorless lethal gas) to enter your home, but it is also illegal.
You’ll have to invest in a separate air conditioning unit first—and it won’t be cheap. Garage A/Cs also can be a hassle to install. So before you go out and buy the first air conditioner you find at the hardware store, consider whether you really need one.
Garage air conditioner considerations
If you’re thinking about adding A/C to your garage, here are some questions to ask yourself first:
How big is my garage? The size of your garage will affect the type of air conditioner you choose. Smaller or portable units, for example, will be less energy efficient (and therefore more costly to run) in a three-car garage than in a single-car one. This is also a good time to ask yourself whether or not your garage is insulated and how adding (or not adding) insulation to its walls will impact the overall temperature in your garage.
What do I keep inside my garage? Do you use it for storage? What kind of items do you keep? Band instruments, VOCs, and other sensitive items will likely last longer and maintain their condition in a temperature-regulated space.
How do I primarily use my garage? If you don’t use your garage for much outside of parking your car, purchasing a garage air conditioning unit may not be a wise investment. On the other hand, if your garage is more of a multifunctional space where you like to work or hang out, an air conditioner could be well worth the money.
MORE: All you need to know about central heating and cooling
What do you need to install an A/C in your garage?
Once you’ve decided to put an air conditioner in your garage, prep the space to ensure you’re getting the most out of your new unit. Ideally, create an airtight, insulated space as this will maximize your energy efficiency. If an attic sits above your garage, think about insulating that space as well to prevent losing precious air to the rafters.
Depending on the air conditioning unit you choose, you may need at least one opening to vent hot air. A window will work best—but if your garage is windowless, you can cut a hole in the wall to create space for the air conditioner.
Key Takeaway Your garage is often the most poorly insulated area of your home—to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioner (and what it costs to run it), consider adding insulation to walls and attic space and creating airtight seals on doors and windows.
What is the best air conditioner for a garage?
Finding the right unit is a matter of balancing your budget with what you’re looking to get out of your garage’s A/C. Below, we’ll cover the most popular garage air conditioning options: the ductless mini-split, the portable air conditioner, and the classic window A/C.
Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner
The mini-split, also known as a ductless mini-split, is arguably the best—and the most expensive—way to cool your garage. Mini-splits operate using their own fan and evaporating unit to comfortably control the temperature in your garage. In the summer, they’re capable of keeping your space cool—even when outside temperatures soar as high as 115°F.
Since they don’t need ductwork, the installation process is minimally invasive. Another perk? They’re capable of heating your garage in the winter, making them the perfect year-round solution to controlling the comfort of your garage.
The downside? Mini-splits are expensive, and you pay for their quality. While a wide range of mini-splits exists, you’re unlikely to find a price tag cheaper than $1,700—and high-end units can cost up to $8,000 for parts and installation.
Portable Air Conditioner
Portable air conditioners are powered by an internal motor, which pulls hot air from your garage and cools it inside before redistributing it throughout your space. They are composed of three key parts: a refrigerant, a fan, and a compressor.
Their portable nature makes them easy to store and move around as needed, and they don’t require any installation to use. That said, their diminutive size may not provide much benefit in a two or three-car garage.
Not only are portable air conditioners ineffective in larger spaces, but they’re also expensive to run. Additionally, many units require the drain pan to be manually emptied every so often (similar to a dehumidifier).
Nonetheless, compared to their mini-split counterparts, portable air conditioners are vastly more affordable, with an average price between$400 and $500.
Window A/C unit
If you’ve already got a window in your garage, the classic window A/C unit may be the perfect solution for you. Window A/C units are generally affordable and easy to operate, and they can be purchased for as little as $150 and are easily installed.
However, if you don’t have a window, installation could quickly become a pain—you’d need to create space for the unit by cutting a hole in the wall yourself.
Another downside? Window A/Cs are loud. If you don’t mind some white noise in the background, it may not be big of a deal to you—but if you’re looking for a quiet space to work or record, a window A/C may interfere.
Need a more direct comparison of your options? The table below analyzes the pros and cons of each type of garage air conditioner side-by-side:
| | | |
|---|
| Minimally invasive since no ductwork is required; will likely need professional help to install and set up refrigerant line | Energy efficient, quiet, capable of both heating and cooling | |
| No installation required! Just plug into a regular outlet and turn it on | Small, affordable, portable | Not effective in large spaces, expensive to run, condensation must be manually emptied |
| Installation is simple since these units are made to fit right into a window (or wall hole); can be installed yourself | Most affordable option, easy to find and install, effective in one or two-car garages | Loud, expensive to run, ineffective in larger spaces |
Upgrading your home insurance
Adding an air conditioner to your garage can instantly upgrade the comfort of your space while protecting your belongings. Another way to upgrade and protect your home? Use Jerry
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