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Started By
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re: Anyone with experience, Portable AC Unit for Garage
Posted on 8/5/25 at 6:24 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Posted on 8/5/25 at 6:24 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Pro tip - if you want to run the drain line, refrigerant lines, and power cable all through one penetration, throw the shitty little penetration gland that they supply in the garbage and use a larger (3") piece of PVC pipe. Makes shoving all that shite through the wall much simpler.
I saw a few videos on Youtube that recommended the same.
The exterior wall that my unit will be mounted on is Concrete block. I will need a good hole saw bit to do that drilling and maybe borrow someones hammer drill. I have battery drills and a regular 1/2" AC powered drill. But neither are hammer drills.
It will be a few months for me so I am going to do some more research but I appreciate the recommendation
This post was edited on 8/5/25 at 6:24 pm
1
Posted on 8/6/25 at 8:53 am to LanierSpots
quote:
I will need a good hole saw bit to do that drilling and maybe borrow someones hammer drill. I have battery drills and a regular 1/2" AC powered drill. But neither are hammer drills.
The carbide tip hole saws will chew through brick quickly and easily. I used my 20v Dewalt and was thru in less than 30 seconds. No need for hammer drill.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 8:58 am to slacker130
quote:
The carbide tip hole saws will chew through brick quickly and easily. I used my 20v Dewalt and was thru in less than 30 seconds. No need for hammer drill.
Agreed. As most you’ll need an extension to get deep in there. But those bits chew up brick and concrete block.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 9:12 am to LanierSpots
I have that same unit in my 3 car garage with west facing doors (that I insulated with foam boards). It works great. In the heat of the day, it can't keep it at 72 deg, but it keeps it less than 80, which is all I'm looking for. Any other time of the day I could hang meat. I keep it on eco mode most of the time, and it hasn't appreciably raised my electricity bill. (Note that I did this in part to help keep a bonus room above cooler, which is offsetting the cost a bit). Pulling out of there in the morning and have your windows fog up is the only negative so far 
Posted on 8/6/25 at 9:15 am to Randall Savauge
quote:
a diamond tipped hole saw is cheap. $20-$30 at lowes or home depot. i installed mine thorough a brick wall, drilled through with a carbide tipped hole saw.
Can also rent a SDS rotary hammer and coring bits, which is what I would do if was a tool I only needed for a specific job. I own SDS+ and SDS Max rotary hammers, would definitely grab the bigger drill for a job like this...
I tried using my bigger SDS+ to make a hole for a dryer duct and while it worked, it was a slow process so anything above a 2" hole is SDS Max territory unless you really enjoy the noise and dust.Posted on 8/6/25 at 9:55 am to lsujro
quote:
keep it on eco mode most of the time, and it hasn't appreciably raised my electricity bill
They are ULTRA efficient if you keep the coils clean.
I love me a mini split man. If cosmetics weren't a concern, I'd have them all over the place. Starting and running them with a normal portable generator is no concern at all - they are all inverter driven which means no inrush load worth mentioning, and they can tolerate extremely shitty power very well.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 10:08 am to lsujro
quote:
I have that same unit in my 3 car garage with west facing doors (that I insulated with foam boards). It works great. In the heat of the day, it can't keep it at 72 deg, but it keeps it less than 80, which is all I'm looking for.
That is all I am looking for as well. I am going to be storing some of my business inventory there as well as keeping my fishing rods and reels in there for my charter trips. I can afford for them to melt in the Florida summers.
I have one more company coming out Friday to give me a estimate but I am afraid they are going to be too high. I have a few months so If I end up installing it myself, it will be October. I have some insulation to get installed and some clean up to be done in there before I am ready to install
Thanks.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 10:41 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I love me a mini split man. If cosmetics weren't a concern, I'd have them all over the place. Starting and running them with a normal portable generator is no concern at all - they are all inverter driven which means no inrush load worth mentioning, and they can tolerate extremely shitty power very well.
My central air struggles this time of year and i'm considering adding some ceiling cassettes. my dad (over 70yo) installed a 24k one in his garage ceiling by himself and it works like a champ.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 11:18 am to LanierSpots
Check out the Mr. Cool mini-splits if you don't already have the tools to install one. Pre-charged lines make installation pretty easy.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 1:25 pm to Wilson
The mini-split in the garage is a game changer. I insulated my doors (2 car and a boat port) and installed a 24K Mitsubishi. Not a hard job if you take your time and are careful with the copper pipe bends. Garage stays cool all day. I keep it on 77 but can easily drop it down to 70. Makes working in the garage during the summer so much more comfortable as well as just stepping into the garage after yard work to cool off. No real impact on utility bill.
Posted on 8/6/25 at 1:52 pm to Woodsmaster
I've always told my wife I'll know I've made it in life when I'm cleaning fish and washing my boat in the AC.
Mini splits make that much more achievable. I COULD install a central system myself if I had to but man, for a single room a mini split can't be beat.
Mini splits make that much more achievable. I COULD install a central system myself if I had to but man, for a single room a mini split can't be beat.
Posted on 8/7/25 at 8:54 am to LanierSpots
You can also just get a large window unit OP, I’m not sure if that’s an option. A mini split is probably easier if you don’t have a hole or a window to put a window unit. But 440 sq ft can easily be cooled by a large window unit.
Posted on 8/7/25 at 12:39 pm to baldona
quote:
You can also just get a large window unit OP, I’m not sure if that’s an option. A mini split is probably easier if you don’t have a hole or a window to put a window unit. But 440 sq ft can easily be cooled by a large window unit.
Unfortunately, I do not have a window in my garage...Just a concrete block wall.
Posted on 8/10/25 at 2:08 pm to ELLSSUU
Finished my first step to my Mini Split install today. I insulated my garage door. Fairly simple and cheap project. Just takes a little time and patience. Once you figure out what size to cut the foam, it goes pretty smooth. My door has small panels so there was more cuts to make. Total cost in materials was $130.
Guys are coming to blow insulation in my attic over the garage this week. 450 square feet is around $500 for 13".
Then I will purchase my unit and do the install myself. I made a list of things to order for the Mini Split other than the unit itself.
Guys are coming to blow insulation in my attic over the garage this week. 450 square feet is around $500 for 13".
Then I will purchase my unit and do the install myself. I made a list of things to order for the Mini Split other than the unit itself.
Posted on 9/4/25 at 10:52 am to ELLSSUU
How loud are the outside units? Is it safe to assume that they are quieter than a window unit?
Posted on 9/4/25 at 11:40 am to LanierSpots
Man, that garage looks great!
So, you insulated the garage door yourself? If so, what kind of foam did you use?
So, you insulated the garage door yourself? If so, what kind of foam did you use?
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