When we decided to add central air to our addition after the framing was already done we were left with very few options for locating the air handler for the second floor bedroom. We ended up hanging it from the ceiling in the garage.
The result is a lot of condensation on the unit when it’s very humid out. So, we need to dehumidify the garage in the summer. But I figure why not air condition the garage instead since the cooling removes the moisture? That way the cars will already be cool when we get into them. If I put in a dehumifier it will take moisture out of the air but will heat the garage.
So, the question is: Is there any reason why using a dehumidifier would be better than air conditioning in the garage? The only think I can think of is perhaps the dehumidifier would not run when it’s hot but not humid out. But I could just turn off the AC when I don’t need it.
Thoughts?
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Replies
We have hot humid summers. Living in a house with no need of ac but distinct need of dehumidification, I'll offer another option. Where's your water heater?
A heat pump water heater added to your existing tank will give you cool dry air as a byproduct, plus hot water at roughly 1/3 the cost of elec resistance. Installing one here gave us half the dehumidification we needed for our 20,000 cu ft (at .5 ACH). Much better than either ac or dehumidifier.
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Hmmm... very interesting concept. The garage is pretty far from hot water tank but I'll remember that trick for sometime in the future. Thanks!
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You should just build a housing around the AC unit and air-condition that.
I think that is best.When the door is opened that dry air is going to be replaced with moist and it might be lucking (and/or $$$$$) to get it back to dry before it is opened again.
That's a great suggestion. I could seal it up tight and maybe open a small hole in the supply and return ducts in the space just make sure some dry air circulates.
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your local code will more than likely not allow you to exchange air from the house to the garage for obvious reasons.
Ooooh... good point... Thanks!
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Edited 5/13/2006 5:26 pm ET by Crash
Actually, if I completely frame it in and seal it with polyethelene and insulation, etc. Why would it be different than having a room next to a garage?
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Just figured out the answer to my own question. I have to get in there to change filter so that means a door which means it isn't a seperate "room"... oh well...
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Yeah, you need to have it accessible for service, but you still should be able to seal it tightly enough (as tight as the door between house and garage) that there will be no significant hazard from carbon monoxide, etc. Probably just the normal leakage from the ductwork will be enough to keep the area "conditioned" from a moisture standpoint.For a little additional safety, punch a hole in the cold air (outgoing) side only. This will maintain a slight "positive pressure" in the enclosure and keep out any nasty fumes. Adjust the hole (with piece of sheet metal arranged as a sliding shutter) so that you can just detect a slight outward pressure on the door when the fan is running.(I'm assuming that it's only the air handler and evaporator coil that are in the garage -- the condenser unit is outside somewhere.)
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