Here we explore how to cool a garage with no windows including different cooling ideas such as using fans, improving insulation, and installing an air conditioner or attic vent.
Windows are the elements of the home that allow airflow and circulation in the home, making sure that rooms don’t get too hot and stuffy. There are some areas and rooms though that sometimes don’t have windows in them like garages (which is true to most row homes and condominiums).
And if there are no windows, you will need to get creative to somehow cool a garage even with the lack of something that can help the airflow.
Here are some ideas you can explore and consider to cool your garage.
Garage Cooling Tips
If you don’t have the budget to make significant changes to your garage, there are some things you can do to cool it down.
Know When To Close Or Open The Garage Door
If direct sunlight is hitting your garage door, it is better to close it. This can block out the heat that can possibly add more warmth to your already heating-up garage. It will be better if you are also actively cooling the indoor space at the same time.
However, if the garage is safely in the shade, opening the garage door is a better option. Allow airflow and circulation using your door if you don’t have windows to help you with it.
Wait Before You Park A Hot Car In The Garage
Cars run hot when it’s in use because of the engine and it works double-time when the day is hot. If you immediately park your car in the garage after driving a day under the hot sun, it will heat up your garage too.
Wait for a bit outside the garage with the engines off and after letting the engines rest, turn it on and park it inside.
Do Not Use Incandescent Bulbs
Choosing the right bulb can help heat or cool your garage. If you want to cool it, stay away from incandescent bulbs.
There are many high-efficiency LED bulbs you can use that are capable of using less energy and so less heat. Check out more ideas about the types of garage lighting here.
Replace The Color Of Your Garage Walls, Ceiling, And Roof
Colors can affect temperature and this goes the same way for your garage. If you have some money you can use for a minor renovation, painting your garage in cooler colors can help cool the space.
If you have a limited budget, you may not be able to choose the most advanced solution to cool your garage. But repainting your garage walls won’t be that expensive.
Just make sure to go for lighter paint colors like white. Darker colors tend to absorb and retain heat so that they will actually heat up the garage faster. The best thing about this solution besides the fact that it’s affordable is that it is also an easy task and can be completed within a day or even a weekend.
Improve The Insulation Of Your Garage
Another step to take to cool a garage that does not have windows is to improve its insulation. While insulation is usually associated with keeping heat inside during the winter, it also functions as a barrier that keeps the heat outdoors and allows the garage to have the temperature you want it to have.
Many garages are already insulated but if yours is not, consider either one of the following:
• Blown-in cellulose insulation (retrofitting the walls) – for walls that are finished on the inside
• Batt insulation – if the studs in the walls are still visible
More than just energy-saving, garage insulation is also not an expensive project that will require you to hire a contractor for it. You can purchase a kit for less than $20 and DIY the entire project yourself. Find more about how to insulate a garage here.
Consider Installing Attic Vents
Attic vents are also an excellent solution for a garage with no windows. Compared to insulation that keeps that heat outdoors and maintains the cool temperature inside the garage, vents won’t be able to block the hot air from coming in but they can push it out to allow the cooler air to come in.
If the garage is running hot, open the wall and attic vents to let the hot air out. If it’s cold though and at the right temperature, you can just keep it closed.
Adding vents will improve airflow in the garage and can be a good alternative to windows. Installing them in the garage is also an affordable project and you won’t have to pay for recurring energy costs after that.
Have A Garage Humidifier
Another option to consider besides insulation and vents is a garage humidifier. With this gadget, you will be able to change the humidity in the garage space.
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A room with a high temperature usually has high humidity that’s why it can feel stuffy when you’re inside. A humidifier can help lower the humidity and make it more comfortable for you when you’re inside the garage. There are different types and styles of humidifiers you can choose and they are not priced expensively so you won’t have a problem with costs.
Get A Powerful Fan Or An Air Conditioner
The most logical thing to do to cool a garage without windows is to bring in a powerful fan or cooler to help with the airflow. Normally, closed spaces like a garage with no windows will run hot if the hot air is trapped inside with no chance of it escaping and flowing.
With the addition of a fan or an air conditioner, the air will be able to bounce around the space. See the types of air conditioners here.
If you don’t have an existing cooling system that’s connected to your garage, you can set up a new one. It doesn’t have to be a complicated system similar to what you have at home since you can just get a powerful garage fan to improve the area’s ventilation and airflow. For more details see our tips to climate control a garage here.
If you want air conditioner options, here are some methods to explore:
• Garage ventilation fan (Needs to be powerful enough and not just a slow and weak-turning fan)
• Swamp cooler with ice (An affordable version of an air conditioner)
• Garage ceiling fan (Choose an industrial-strength one rather than its residential version)
• Portable air conditioners (Simple to set up but needs a pre-installed exhaust point)
• Window wall air conditioners (Works quietly but may need the help of a contractor for installation despite how fairly simple the process may be)
• Mini split air conditioners (Incredibly simple and effective but may be expensive in its complex installation)
If you have a limited budget then going for fans and the swamp cooler is the best option for you. If it’s not a major issue though, you can go for air conditioners inside your garage.
Windows are the elements of the home that allow airflow and circulation in the home, making sure that rooms don’t get too hot and stuffy. There are some areas and rooms though that sometimes don’t have windows in them like garages (which is true to most row homes and condominiums).
If there are no windows, you will need to get creative to somehow cool a garage even with the lack of something that can help the airflow.
Visit our guide to garage cleaning tips for the overwhelmed including ideas on how to sort your things, garage cleanup, and more on this page!