Close
Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Machine Gunner Martinjmpr's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Pueblo
    Posts
    2,108

    Default Swamp cooler in garage?

    About a year back I posted about my hot garage.

    Well, it's still hot. I even got a little digital thermometer to keep in there that records the high and low temps every 24 hours.

    During our recent hot spell, it was getting to 99 degrees in the garage and "cooling off" to 90 at night.

    Others have chimed in about mini splits but last night at the State Fair we came across a guy selling evaporative coolers, AKA Swamp coolers.

    The reason I'm considering this is because it is the simplest and cheapest option requiring no wiring or cutting into roof or insulating doors.

    My question is: Are there downsides I'm not considering? For example, does using a swamp cooler in a closed garage create excess moisture causing mold, rust or other corrosion?

    Understand, I'm not trying to keep the garage at a balmy 77 degrees - I have AC in the house for that. I'm just trying to keep it bearable on hot days (and nights.) Potentially I might consider running it at night to keep the excess heat from staying in the garage.
    Martin

    If you love your freedom, thank a veteran. If you love to party, thank the Beastie Boys. They fought for that right.

  2. #2
    Zombie Slayer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Pueblo
    Posts
    6,932

    Default

    Run an evaporative cooler into garage and have solar attic fan vent it out. You have to have a flow.


    https://www.lowes.com/pd/QuietCool-4...Fan/5001584777
    Per Ardua ad Astra

  3. #3
    Machine Gunner
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    westminster
    Posts
    2,230

    Default

    I?d stay far away from a swamp cooler due to the massive amount of humidity it produces. We got rid of ours 1 yr after moving into our house because of that reason. Do a mini split and be done with it. Buy once, cry once.
    Last edited by colorider; 08-27-2025 at 07:29.

  4. #4
    Zombie Slayer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Pueblo
    Posts
    6,932

    Default

    I'm cooling my whole house with a swamp cooler mounted in a window. It really helps with humidity, especially when it is single digit humidity outside. Average humidity is 47% inside. When the temp is triple digits, I end up running the central air conditioning too. Denver is usually 15-20 degrees cooler than Pueblo in summer.
    I remove the swamp cooler in the winter. Biggest pain in the ass is setting back in the window the next summer. It has to be cleaned of mud (dust) and scale before reinstall in the window.

    I don't notice any problem with moisture in the house. If anything, the air is too dry here.
    Per Ardua ad Astra

  5. #5
    Grand Master Know It All SouthPaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Greeley
    Posts
    3,107

    Default

    I’ve been thinking about the same thing. On FB Marketplace they’re usually around $100, but I’ve been holding out hoping to grab one closer to $50. When I’m working in the garage in the heat it feels like I’m sitting in a microwave. I’ve also seen some larger ones on Temu/AliExpress/DHGate for about $80 with free shipping. With the humidity, I’d probably just use it to blow directly where I’m working and keep the garage door cracked for airflow.
    "But when it's time to fight, you fight like you are the third monkey on the ramp to Noah's Ark; and brother, it's startin' to rain."

  6. #6
    Machine Gunner flogger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    MORRISON, CO
    Posts
    2,361

    Default

    Venting is a must, that air needs to move. Also, they won't do any good if the humidity is above 50% or so.

  7. #7
    High Power Shooter Firehaus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Castle Rock
    Posts
    975

    Default

    I put a Mr. Cool mini split in my garage with uninsulated doors and it cools & heats way better than I thought it would, even on the hottest/ coldest days. Glad I did it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Industry Partner BPTactical's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    North Metro
    Posts
    13,916

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by flogger View Post
    Venting is a must, that air needs to move. Also, they won't do any good if the humidity is above 50% or so.
    We used a swamp cooler in our old place in Northglenn, it worked great.

    The above comment is spot on- think of the air the same way you would a liquid-it has to flow and you control the temp of the areas of the house by cracking windows in given rooms and closing off other areas.
    Some days I miss it.
    Also ventilating the attic is going to help big time - get the hot air out of the attic and it is easy to cool the house.
    The most important thing to be learned from those who demand "Equality For All" is that all are not equal...

    Gun Control - seeking a Hardware solution for a Software problem...

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •