Tip/tricks for cooling garage on ranch-style home?

[rondog]

I know nothing about them, but my buddy in OK has a mini-split AC cooling his garage, and he loves it. Again, I know nothing about them.....

[Great-Kazoo]

check with flir for heat leaks & sources. Install vent fan.

Also spend the $$ to install a mini-split. Heat in winter, cool in summer, ability to dehumidify. Based on size of garage, i'd go with 2 smaller units, this way if one craps out, you're still in business.

All my out buildings (casita, reloading building, shop) have them. I have a few thousand into 4 units. But the peace of mind knowing you can work year round is worth it.
Where we're at is 4800' elevation, all 4 seasons, with over 100 on the rare summer day, down to single digits in winter.

[BushMasterBoy]

Insulate the door with Reflectix.

https://www.reflectixinc.com/

[buffalobo]

Insulate attic and walls then install mini split. DIY for less than $2000. When done you will say worth $10,000.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.

[FoxtArt]

Considering that this time of year daily temps are into the high 90s in most places in Colorado, without resorting to active cooling there's not a lot you can do to get into the 80s - fans wont solve the problem. Insulation by itself will just change your peak curve to be hottest at 3pm and a couple degrees cooler instead of 1pm. Passive cooling (ground loop of pex with a transfer pump and heat exchanger) is waaaaay more work and cost than a mini split or swamp. So, look to the latter even if you didn't want to. DIY mini split is a good idea.

[Martinjmpr]

I'm circling back around to this now that I'm retired.

I'm thinking of doing the insulated garage door but wondering if the bang is worth the buck? Has anyone here gone from an uninsulated to an insulated garage door and was it worth it?

I'm guessing new garage doors (3 car garage with 1 16-foot door and 1 - 8 foot door) would run at least $3000 - $5000 installed, yes?

One reason I'm thinking of going to new garage doors is that it would give me a chance to get doors with windows in them. Right now the garage has ZERO natural light. No windows, and no windows in any of the doors.

When we lived in Littleton our garage never got this hot, but then again, that was a tri-level home and had (cooled) living space above the garage. I'm still thinking I've got to find a way to get the hot air out of the attic above the garage.

The other morning when I left the house around 10:00 AM it was already over 90 degrees in the garage!

For the mini-split AC, how much power do they use? We're already having high electric bills from AC use, and we don't use the AC all day (I typically turn it on around 11:00 AM - noon and turn it off around 8:00 or 9:00 PM depending on how cool it is outside.)

[ray1970]

I went from a non-insulated door to an insulated one and it made a big difference for me. My doors face southwest so they take a pounding from the sun and the old aluminum door transferred heat like crazy.

Your mileage may vary depending on if you get a lot of sun on the doors or not. If your garage is already hot it might just hold that heat in and make it worse?

[Great-Kazoo]

I'm circling back around to this now that I'm retired.

I'm thinking of doing the insulated garage door but wondering if the bang is worth the buck? Has anyone here gone from an uninsulated to an insulated garage door and was it worth it?

I'm guessing new garage doors (3 car garage with 1 16-foot door and 1 - 8 foot door) would run at least $3000 - $5000 installed, yes?

One reason I'm thinking of going to new garage doors is that it would give me a chance to get doors with windows in them. Right now the garage has ZERO natural light. No windows, and no windows in any of the doors.

When we lived in Littleton our garage never got this hot, but then again, that was a tri-level home and had (cooled) living space above the garage. I'm still thinking I've got to find a way to get the hot air out of the attic above the garage.

The other morning when I left the house around 10:00 AM it was already over 90 degrees in the garage!

For the mini-split AC, how much power do they use? We're already having high electric bills from AC use, and we don't use the AC all day (I typically turn it on around 11:00 AM - noon and turn it off around 8:00 or 9:00 PM depending on how cool it is outside.)

Before you replace them. keep in mind. Windows are an invitation to any curious people. As for the doors themself. Buy some of the foil insulation kits, cut to size, call it good.
We have some cheap thin wrapped insulation (1/4") left over from when they built the shop. It works very well, but it's also not in direct sunlight. However when it's 100+ you don't have any heat radiating off them if they were still bare metal.

As for natural light, the 12+ 4' LED shop lights, along with the walls painted semi-gloss white are more than adequate, illumination wise. If you want windowed doors, consider the crime rate for break-ins in your area. Windows are a magnet for the uninvited.

[ChadAmberg]

Check where the heat is coming from. The garage doors if they face the sun will become giant heaters. A bit of foam on the doors will help. Walls are not insulated where they do not meet the house. May want to pull dry wall insulate and replace. Ceiling too. Does it have insulation above the garage to the attic ? And yes do a fan with thermostat control if the rest fails.

On my previous house, I used that aluminum foil bubble wrap inserted into each of the door panels, and it dropped the garage temp by 15-20 degrees when they were getting direct sun. Didn't require re-tuning the door springs or anything.

[buffalobo]

"For the mini-split AC, how much power do they use? We're already having high electric bills from AC use, and we don't use the AC all day (I typically turn it on around 11:00 AM - noon and turn it off around 8:00 or 9:00 PM depending on how cool it is outside.)"

The TOSOT mini splits(18,000 and 12,000 btu) I installed in the house require 15 amp 220v circuits and for the month of July cost was $30-35 to keep 2200 sq ft ranch style home 70? or below at all times.

I would bet the 12,000 btu unit would keep an insulated attached 2 car garage comfortable for $20 or less a month.

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.