While a garage that is attached to your home can be easy enough to cool by connecting it to the main central air system in the house, a detached garage can be a bit harder to cool. Detached garages can be a valuable property attribute, but these structures rarely have any form of heating or cooling when they are built. If you spend a lot of time in your detached garage, you may very well need some kind of cooling. You do have a few options to consider when it comes to air conditioning for your detached garage. Here is a look at some of your options.
Consider installing a window air conditioner.
One of the most inexpensive options for your detached garage is the basic window air conditioner You can pick these up at just about any home improvement or retail store, they are relatively easy to install, and they can do the trick when you just need a bit of cooling. However, window units can be short-lived, they will use up your window space, and they can leave your garage open to vandalism because they have to be inserted in a window. While more permanent cooling solutions installed by an air conditioning service are preferrable, a window unit can get you by until you can make that change.
Consider having a ductless mini-split AC installed.
A ductless mini-split air conditioning system is perhaps one of the most modern types of AC. These systems are mounted on a wall and require a small opening to be cut in the garage wall. However, these systems can be highly efficient, do not take up your window space, and can last for many years without having to be replaced. Mini-splits are a common addition in smaller spaces, especially garages and loft-style apartments, because they do such a good job at cooling a conservative space.
Consider having the detached garage outfitted with its own central unit.
Even though installing a secondary central air system may sound illogical, it is something to consider if you spend a lot of time in your garage and the garage is quite large. For example, if you have a large garage that has a lot of floor space, has an upstairs loft, and has a bathroom, a mini-split may not be the best solution. You can pick up smaller central air conditioners that are designed specifically for the purpose, and these systems will allow you to have ducts that connect to vents in multiple points of the building for consistent cooling.
To learn more, contact a resource like Aggressive Mechanical Contractors, Inc.