AC or Dehumidifier for attached garage

[bigi]

Attached garage - no HVAC at all in garage due to codes.

Now, I want to use it for Network rack, working out, etc.

I'll go with electric heater for Winter months. What to get for Summer? Portable AC or just dehumidifier? It tends to get humid in there during rainy season/humid Summer.

Anyone?

 

[burninatortech4]

Portable AC are pretty inefficient (they create negative pressure in the room). However, it sounds like that's your only way to cool off in the summer given your garage limitations. A standard dehumidifer won't help you there.

"Good" portable AC units have a de-humidification function. It either burns it off by dripping condensate on the hot side of the loop and exhausts it or allows you to attach a hose and drain the condensate into a tank or a sump. You'll need a place for the exhaust hose to vent the hot air.

I have one of these and I quite like it (besides the inefficiency problem).

 

[Greenman]

Mini split is the way to go. Expensive to install, but inexpensive to operate. I'm thinking about putting one in my garage. You should look at insulating the garage door with rigid foam.

 

[bigi]

Thanks for both replies. My garage door is insulated.

MRCOOL stuff is really interesting. Looks like at around 2K it will do much more than AC and Heater units. I've already watched a few install videos and it looks like no brainer now.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I'd do a mini split, some mini splits can also act as heat pump, that might actually be the best bet.

 

[mindless1]

There's no good reason not to do air conditioning instead of just a dehumidifier, if you'd be better off dumping heat out of the room rather than back into it because the temp is elevated too... except of course cost, that it costs less to not spit the system up and have fewer components.

Keep in mind what the system is. If you have a dehumidifier, and you catch the exhaust with a hood and fan powered duct to exernally exhaust the heated air, then you still have an A/C system.