How do you get any work in the garage in summer with no HVAC? (houses, live in)

[J.Thomas]

Originally Posted by gtt99

"...where you AT? I should avoid the hood."
Judging by your grammar, the hood is in you, you can't avoid it.

I sure can.

No to HOA!!!

[the_nemi]

1. I bought a used blower motor for $20 in working condition from a HVAC repair shop. Made a wooden enclosure with filters and run it for 10 mins as needed. Works as an air filter and moves air well.

2. Have a Lasko box fan ($20 also) with wooden enclosure. This thing moves air pretty well. I run it with a wet towel in front of it.

Makes working in the garage much easier in the summer.

Hope this help...

[unseengundam]

Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk

Why is that obvious? I've got a small window-style AC mounted in the wall of my garage. It helps if the temp is no more than 90.

Other than that, get some 24" or so utility fans.

I don't know how you and other guys get aways with any-type of Window-Styled AC units. Window units are 100% banned anywhere on the house and everything must run through a central HVAC type system.

Our garage faces the front of house and HoA will definitely notice. And trust me, anything that enables the garage become any sort of "living" space is NOT allowed. They have already once sent out notices to everyone to keep their garage closed and clutter (including trash cans) hidden!

Originally Posted by Ralph_Kirk

If the door faces the sun, that's a problem. My garage door gets afternoon sun, and it's better closed at that time.

This is definitely my other problem, after 1 pm the sun start shining directly into the garage.

[unseengundam]

Originally Posted by pharpe

Everytime I read a post on here about an HOA I think how lucky I am that I don't live in the burbs. Not that I want to but AC in my garage but why the hell should anyone care if I did?

OP, I would look into one of those industrial sized fans. I worked in a warehouse one summer in college and we had a few of those big fans. It made it manageable.

Like one of these:
Amazon.com - Lakewood 36-Inch Industrial Grade Drum Fan -

Those huge fan definitely look like they could help!

As for our HoA, they don't like garages becoming a place where people lounge and they think making it more comfortable with things like HVAC, sofa, pool table, etc will encourage that type of unwanted behavior.

Originally Posted by gentlearts

We live in hot muggy GA. My husband's 2 car garage has 3 big ceiling fans. He opens the doors and has the fans going and it stays comfortable.

This is another good solution, never thought about installing ceiling fans in the garage before! I am going double check with my HoA and see what will fly with them.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by pharpe

Everytime I read a post on here about an HOA I think how lucky I am that I don't live in the burbs. Not that I want to but AC in my garage but why the hell should anyone care if I did?

OP, I would look into one of those industrial sized fans. I worked in a warehouse one summer in college and we had a few of those big fans. It made it manageable.

Like one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Lakewood-36-In...industrial+fan

OP could also get a portable air conditioner if he can figure out how to vent the exhaust. That way he doesn't have to upset his HOA with a window unit.

There's also this from Mitsubishi:

Wall-mount deluxe

Personally I'd rather just mount that sucker somewhere in the garage that isn't visible to a passerby than ask the HOA for permission to put an AC unit in my own garage. But that's just me.

[SandyJet]

Why do folks in HOAs need to do projects all day in a garage. Point of a HOA is so you have hardly any thing to do to repair home

[TheOverdog]

Point of a HOA is so you have hardly any thing to do to repair home

Not for single family, only for multifamily exteriors. In a single family, the HOA is to pay for common areas and to support property values, which they do by not allowing too much variation in how the house looks or is used. You are still responsible for your own maintenance.

In my opinion the OP should have a thought a bit more about this issue before purchasing a place where you can't open your garage door without getting the side eye, but I guess adding a secret A/C is the next best solution. The real answer is we buy in places that allow us to have open doors or A/C units in the garage.

My final solution is to vent a portable A/C (not a window unit) into the attic via a hole cut into your ceiling if there is no living space above. If the house has a vented attic, it should be ok if you aren't using it more than a few hours a day. If there is living space above, you can't do this.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

Personally I'd rather just mount that sucker somewhere in the garage that isn't visible to a passerby than ask the HOA for permission to put an AC unit in my own garage. But that's just me.

Me too. I would make it my main goal to pull one over on the commies.

[Cabrio330]

The ignorance displayed in this thread about HOAs is scary.

HOAs don't have restrictions about adding A/C to your garage (other than perhaps how such additions look or appear on the exterior of your home). And HOAs don't do all of your "projects" for you.

Just because you have heard the letters H, O and A together doesn't mean you have the standing to advise people or to slander HOA neighborhoods.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by Cabrio330

The ignorance displayed in this thread about HOAs is scary.

HOAs don't have restrictions about adding A/C to your garage (other than perhaps how such additions look or appear on the exterior of your home). And HOAs don't do all of your "projects" for you.

Just because you have heard the letters H, O and A together doesn't mean you have the standing to advise people or to slander HOA neighborhoods.

It kind of threw me too, I've never heard of a restriction like that...but I'm not going to automatically assume that the OP is a liar either.