Ditch Traditional Windows: There's A Cheaper Way To Get Hot Air Flowing Out Your Garage

Hot garage. Sweaty tools. Sticky air. That weird wave of warmth that hits you when you enter the garage. If this sounds familiar, chances are you want a way to cool down your garage. Sure, you can add some windows, but installing windows can be expensive. Plus, windows don't actively move hot air outside and depend on whether there is a breeze or not. This, however, does not mean you have to keep working in a hot garage. There is a cheaper alternative: exhaust fans.

Unlike windows, exhaust fans are more affordable. You can get some basic models for just $50 or less, whereas a standard single-pane glass window costs more than $100. Even better? Installing exhaust fans is cheaper, too. Just keep in mind exhaust fans do not bring the temperature down by cooling the air. They instead cool the space by removing hot, stale air, and this works in garages, as they often are closed spaces with very poor ventilation.

When heat builds up in a garage after it is exposed to sunlight for hours, the trapped heat has nowhere to go. As a result, the inside temperature can rise up to 20 degrees higher than outside. This is where exhaust fans help. Unlike windows, they actively push out the hot air and pull in fresh air from the outside. This, in turn, helps bring the overall temperature down. Better yet? They don't just work in garages. Living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, attics ... they work everywhere. In fact, they are also a great way to vent a bathroom to keep it mold-free.

Exhaust fans work. However, for them to work, air must be moving freely in the garage with a proper way in and out. If your exhaust fan is just pushing hot air outside, but there is no fresh air coming in, it won't work as well. You can easily fix this problem by leaving the garage door slightly open. Once again, though, this method only works when the air outside is lower than the hot air stuck inside the garage. Exhaust fans don't cool the air. So, if you want genuinely chilled air, installing an air conditioner in your garage is the better option.

To ensure efficiency, install the exhaust fan somewhere near the ceiling. That is because warm air rises naturally. So, installing the exhaust fan up high gets rid of trapped hot air fast. It is also a good idea to install two exhaust fans: One to take out hot air and one to bring in fresh air, moving the stale air inside the garage, so you can breathe easier. The second exhaust fan (bringing air in) should be opposite the exhaust fan blowing air out, so air circulates throughout the garage. Just install the second exhaust near the floor to help push hot air out faster. Remember, exhaust fans don't dehumidify the air either. So, if you can, get a dehumidifier as well. A dehumidifier will not only get rid of the "sticky air" feeling from your garage, but it is also a great way to keep your garage cool this summer without using A/C.