Your garage may double as a man cave for game days, a mudroom where you do the laundry, or storage for parking your car, watercraft, bikes, toys, etc. No matter what you use it for, you want an environment that doesn’t get excessively hot or humid.
Whether you use your garage simply as a place to park your car and recreational equipment or you use it as a workshop, keeping it cool in Miami’s heat and humidity is crucial. Not every garage is ready for AC, but our tips help you ensure you have the right environment for a new AC system.
When Should You Consider Adding AC to Your Garage?
Is AC necessary? This is a personal choice, but we do believe there are clear benefits to a garage AC system in several situations. It comes down to what you use your garage for.
If your garage is where you park your boat, jet ski, car, bikes, etc., South Florida’s heat and humidity can impact them. Heat damage on the hottest days can be a problem and cause cracking and warping of certain items.
Do you have a cordless dash cam? Extreme heat can damage the battery and lead to a fire. If you forget to bring that dash cam in with you, it could be disastrous if your garage lacks air conditioning.
If your garage is your workshop for a favorite hobby, you want a comfortable environment to work in. You use the garage for your woodworking projects and keep your cordless tools in a climate-controlled environment. You might use your garage for upcycling broken furniture, and having AC available as you disassemble and refashion the materials ensures you’re comfortable.
You do have to keep the cost of a new AC system in mind, however. Garage AC systems are an investment. They add value to your home’s overall price, but you have to pay for that system’s installation and maintenance. It’s important that you work with a professional who can find the most efficient system for your needs and budget.
What Are the Best Options for an AC System?
When it comes to air conditioning, you have a few options. A window or portable AC unit is the least expensive, but it’s not going to last a long time. There are very efficient models today, so they don’t cost as much to run as they used to. However, you have to install them in a window or you’ll be cutting a hole in your garage wall.
A mini-split system is a good choice as it’s designed to only cool one zone. It’s a more efficient option than a window unit, but it’s also more expensive. You need to have it professionally installed. While some homeowners feel a mini-split is a good DIY project, doing so can void your warranty and leave you with a big mess if you make a mistake.
Does your home already have central AC? It could be extended with an additional zone covering your garage. That’s probably one of the smartest options as it will last a long time, but you need to have room for the ductwork. Installing ductwork can be the most expensive of these three options.
How Do You Make AC a Cost-Effective Endeavor?
Before you even consider installing AC in your garage, you need to make sure it’s a cost-effective plan. If your garage isn’t insulated, it needs to be. An uninsulated garage will experience a lot of heat gain in the sun. You’re wasting electricity if you are running AC in an area that’s not sealed to keep the heat out.
Make sure doors and windows are shaded to keep the sun from entering your garage and heating the area. If you don’t want to add an awning, consider shade trees.
You also want to work with a professional on your garage AC installation. The size of your garage is a leading factor in choosing an AC system, but it’s not the only one. You also have to consider how many windows you have, the quality of the insulation, and how airtight the garage door and any exterior doors are.
In addition, you have to consider the ceiling heights and what the garage is used for. If you’re running power tools, they’ll emit heat that makes the AC system work harder. You need an energy-efficient system that can handle the climate within the garage without drastically increasing your bills.
Research AC systems’ different SEER2 ratings. SEER2 is a rating used to determine efficiency. The higher it is, the more efficient the system, which means the more you save on energy bills each year. In Miami, a SEER2 rating of 14.3 or higher is required.
How much more can you save? Here are a few examples based on having a 1.5-ton AC system in your garage. The amount is the annual estimated electricity bill.
- 13 SEER2 rating – $628
- 15 SEER2 rating – $578
- 18 SEER2 rating – $481
- 20 SEER2 rating – $433
- 22 SEER2 rating – $394
- 24 SEER2 rating – $361
- 26 SEER2 rating – $333
- 28 SEER2 rating – $309
What you do need to remember is that a higher SEER2 rating will cost more, but there are tax credits and instant rebates on more efficient systems that help you save a lot of money on the new system. Take advantage of those cash-back offers.
Don’t Attempt to DIY an AC Installation
Unless you’re using a window or portable AC unit, don’t try to DIY a central AC installation or mini-split system. First, it voids the warranty. Second, you can end up drastically increasing your bills and straining your system if it’s oversized or undersized.
An oversized system turns on and off a lot as the garage quickly gets up to temperature and then needs to turn back on because it’s not maintaining a steady temperature. An undersized system takes longer to cool your garage, so it may never be able to shut off. Both wear out the AC components quickly, so you’ll be repairing and replacing the system long before you thought you’d have to.
All Year Cooling brings decades of expertise to every AC installation. With our free estimates, you’ll explore the best systems to keep your garage cool while also ensuring you have a cost-effective solution.
Your garage doesn’t have to feel like a sauna this summer. Let us help you explore your options and get an AC system installed to keep your cars and expensive equipment from damage from heat and humidity. Reach our Miami AC experts online or by phone.