Converting a traditional garage into a workshop offers numerous advantages whether you’re tackling DIY projects or looking to work from home. This transformation requires careful consideration of factors like lighting, work tables, and your heating and cooling needs to create a comfortable and functional workspace. Working in your garage throughout the hot summer and cold winter months doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable experience. Installing an HVAC system will ensure your workshop remains a versatile space year-round.
Extending Your Central Heating and Cooling System
If your garage is attached to your home, you might consider extending your central heating and cooling system into this space. However, this option often presents challenges that make it less than ideal.
Adding ductwork involves significant structural modifications to your home and garage. It requires cutting through walls and ceilings, which can be both invasive and time-consuming. Professionals would need to measure the space, design the layout, and install insulated ducts to maintain efficiency. This process could also require reinforcing your garage’s walls or ceiling to support the additional weight of the ductwork, making it a complex and costly project that could potentially cost thousands of dollars.
Additionally, your current HVAC system may not be able to handle the added space. This lack of capacity means you might need to invest in a larger, more powerful heating and cooling system to condition the air in your garage effectively.
Another concern is the impact on your home’s air quality. Since central HVAC systems are closed systems, introducing your garage workshop’s dust, dirt, fumes, and debris could compromise your home’s indoor air quality.
Window Air Conditioners
A window air conditioner can be a cost-effective way to keep your garage cool during the warm summer months. As long as your garage has a window, you can easily benefit from this type of unit. Before purchasing one, be sure to measure your window to ensure you choose a unit that fits properly.
The primary advantage of a window air conditioner is its straightforward installation process. Additionally, these units are typically more affordable than other cooling options. They also tend to cool a space quickly, making them an efficient choice when you need immediate relief from the heat.
However, it’s important to note that window units often have higher operational costs due to their less efficient design. Window units may struggle to maintain consistent temperatures, especially in larger spaces, which can result in longer run times and increased energy use. Creating an air-tight seal around a window air conditioner is also challenging. Air leaks will force the unit to work harder, contributing to higher energy bills over time.
Portable Air Conditioners
Portable air conditioners are convenient plug-in appliances that do not require permanent installation, making them a practical choice for workshop garages. One of their biggest advantages is that they can be easily moved around your garage, allowing you to direct the cool air exactly where you need it while working.
Another reason portable air conditioners work well in a garage workshop is that they don’t require modifications to the space. If your garage windows are too small to fit a window AC, a portable air conditioner offers a simple solution that only requires a power outlet and a small opening for venting. Additionally, since they’re not permanently installed, you can store them for the winter or move them to another part of your house for cooling during extremely warm weather.
However, it’s important to remember that portable units have an exhaust hose that vents heat outside during the cooling process. It can fit through a small window but is unsightly and may get in the way while working or be a tripping hazard. They also generate condensation during the cooling process but lack a drainage system. The water collects in a container that must be dumped out periodically. This can become an annoying chore, especially when the container fills often on muggy days.
Portable Heat Pumps
Portable heat pumps have the advantage of being able to heat garage workshops in addition to cooling them. They work similarly to portable air conditioners but are equipped with a reversing valve, allowing them to operate in both heating and cooling modes.
Ductless Mini-Splits
Ductless mini-splits are a comprehensive climate control solution for garages. As the name implies, they do not need ductwork to heat and cool your workshop. They are also much more energy-efficient than window and portable units.
Mini-splits consist of two main components: an indoor unit that distributes air and an outdoor condenser that houses the compressor and fan. In winter, the system uses heat pump technology to extract heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors, ensuring a comfortable working environment even in colder conditions. Alternatively, the system reverses this process in the summer, effectively cooling your workshop by removing heat from the air. Installation typically involves only a small hole in the wall for the refrigerant lines, minimizing disruption to your garage’s structure.
Since ductless mini-splits are a permanent installation, they offer a more integrated solution compared to window air conditioners and portable units. The indoor air handlers can be mounted on a wall or even the ceiling so that they are out of the way and do not detract from your workshop’s aesthetics. Ductless systems also come equipped with air filtration, which can improve your workshop’s air quality.
While ductless mini-splits offer numerous benefits, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The initial installation cost will be higher than other options to heat or cool your garage. Additionally, regular maintenance, including cleaning filters and checking refrigerant levels, is essential to ensure long-term efficiency and functionality.
Importance of Adequate Ventilation and Humidity Control
Whether you’re completing a painting project, doing some woodworking, or welding, your garage workshop requires ample ventilation and humidity control.
A professional can install an exhaust fan in one of the exterior walls of your garage. They help remove harmful fumes, vapors, and airborne particles generated during activities such as painting or sanding. When selecting an exhaust fan, consider the size of your workshop and the fan’s airflow capacity, typically measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A fan with a higher CFM rating will more effectively exchange stale air for fresh air.
Alternatively, high humidity levels in your workshop can lead to condensation, which can damage tools and the materials you are working with. Humidity control is particularly critical during woodworking and painting projects, where the moisture content in the air can significantly impact results.
When choosing a portable dehumidifier, make sure it is large enough to remove adequate moisture from your garage’s air. Dehumidifier capacity is typically measured in pints of water removed daily from the air. Selecting the right capacity depends on several factors, including the size of your workshop, the level of humidity, and the specific activities you’re undertaking.
Contact your Local Pros
At A/C & Plumbing Doctors, we have been serving the residents of Gilbert, AZ since 2008. We install heating and cooling systems, including ductless mini-splits for garage workshops. Additionally, we can help with all your home’s plumbing needs, such as drain cleaning, leak detection, and repairs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.