It’s no surprise that Arizona garages can get more than uncomfortable during the summer months – the heat can be downright dangerous. Many homeowners don’t make use of their garage in the summer. Learn how to keep a garage cool in Arizona summer!
If you’re interested in how to keep your garage cool, then keep reading!
Insulate the Ceiling
Any room can be cooled significantly with good insulation and this is true of the garage as well. You don’t need ceiling wallboard if you use paper-backed batt-insulation. Just install the insulation with a staple gun, being sure the paper side is down.
You could also use netting made specifically to hold insulation. In that case, you’d still use a staple gun to fasten the netting.
Plant a Tree
If your garage is particularly hot because it’s exposed to direct sunlight all day long, then consider planting a tree or installing an adjustable awning. This can block the sun in the summer and keep the garage cooler.
Try to plant the tree so that it’s between the garage and the direction of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Almost any hardwood tree would work well and offers some welcome shade.
Make Sure You Have Proper Ventilation and Circulation
Part of the problem with garages is that they are completely cut off from natural airflow in most cases.
Most garages don’t even have windows, so adding a window unit or opening the window is impossible in the first place. You can achieve proper ventilation in several ways.
First, adding a vent near the roof of the garage will allow hot air to escape, instead of building up in the garage when the door is closed. However, this is fairly labor intensive.
On the other hand, cracking the garage door open about a foot and installing a fan in the space can help circulate air better. On the downside, you won’t want to use this method when you are away from home.
Attic Fans and Vents
Another highly efficient means of keeping the garage cool is the installation of a permanent vent with an attic fan. The fan will draw hot air upward and send it out through the vent, instead of just moving the hot air around.
Updating Your Garage Door
Modern garage doors come in many different materials and colors. Some of these even include insulation on the inside to keep the temperature inside the garage more stable.
If you have already insulated the walls and roof of your garage, adding insulation to the door can be very effective at keeping the garage cool.
Painting your garage door a lighter color that will reflect sunlight can also help.
If your door is made of light aluminum, you might want to choose a door material that is a little sturdier, which prevents heat transfer from readily happening in your garage space.
Install Air Conditioning
Of course, the above options are great if you want to reduce the temperature in your garage by a few degrees, but they’re not long-term solutions to keep your garage cool and comfortable all year round. That’s where an air conditioner for a garage comes in.
Many homeowners assume that it would simply be too expensive to install an air conditioning system in their garage, but the truth is that new innovations have made it easier and more affordable than ever to ensure every room in your home is cool – including the garage.
Portable Air Conditioners
If you aren’t sure about making a permanent installation, a portable air conditioner can really help. These rolling units tend to be a little more expensive because they are self-contained, and they use a bit more energy than a wired-in system.
However, they can be the perfect solution if you are trying to figure out how to keep the garage cool in summer for only a little while at a time.
Install a Mini-Split
A mini-split system is a special type of ductless air conditioner that can be used to cool small spaces. It is a more permanent solution than a window AC unit and offers some other benefits. These units are very affordable and can usually be installed within a few short hours.
The system uses a small outside unit and runs to a wall-mounted bar inside the garage. They are fairly inconspicuous, but offer more efficiency than a window system, and can look very professional when properly installed.
Day & Night in Phoenix, AZ
For more information on affordable ways to cool your garage, reach out to Day & Night. We are a respected local company that can help you with all your air conditioning, heating and plumbing needs.
