This is probably obvious to a lot of people, but I can't believe I held out this long. I'm in the Midwest, and have an uninsulated attached garage, with not so great doors, and have been having humidity problems with it for years. Been using the desiccant-in-a-bucket, and running a fan to circulate air occasionally to try to keep it under control, with only marginal results.
Bought a dehumidifier last night and set it up this morning. Went from 66% relative humidity in the garage to 54% in just 3 hours. There was nearly a gallon of water in the drain pan when I emptied it at lunch. The garage is noticeably more comfortable, too.
Florida has serious humidity, especially in the summer. I've had one, and sometimes two of them in my detached garage.
I'm going to insulate the walls and door and add a window AC this year.
Summertime, I frequently leave the AC running at about 80 degrees and just suck up the extra on the electric bill. It keeps the lathes, mill, and bandsaw from rusting.
I've got the window unit installed in the wall already, but I've got to shift and tilt it so it drains off the back. I tried running it last year and a lot of the condensation ran down the inside of the wall.
In the past, I have considered getting a window AC unit and cutting a hole in the wall for it. It'd be nice to have a somewhat cooler garage along with the reduced humidity, but I feel like I should pull the drywall and insulate the garage if I'm going to do that. I suspect the lower humidity with the dehumidifier will also make the garage more comfortable at higher temps, so I won't need the doors open for extra air circulation as often.
You might look into a mini-split. Some of them are fairly economical and can also provide heat. I have a 2-ton heat pump unit in my shop. It makes me much more likely to work out there during weather extremes.
amerson
New Reader
5/17/21 2:30 a.m.
My garage has a window AC unit. It has a dehumidify function also.
I have a window AC unit and a dehumidifier that run in my garage depending on the temperature. Battling the same Gulf Coast humidity that everyone from Florida on over does. Things that stay in my garage stay nice. I've found that the key is running a decent humidistat (which most modern dehumidifiers have built in) and keeping the humidity below 50%.
Toyman01 + Sized and said:
You might look into a mini-split. Some of them are fairly economical and can also provide heat. I have a 2-ton heat pump unit in my shop. It makes me much more likely to work out there during weather extremes.
I just did this, cant believe I did not do it before. Piece of cake and it was not that expensive:
Mini Split instal thread
mazdeuce - Seth said:
I have a window AC unit and a dehumidifier that run in my garage depending on the temperature. Battling the same Gulf Coast humidity that everyone from Florida on over does. Things that stay in my garage stay nice. I've found that the key is running a decent humidistat (which most modern dehumidifiers have built in) and keeping the humidity below 50%.
That's right! I did it with my garage. My dehumidifier is something from brand insignia, though I don't remember exactly its name, it works really well. Keep the humidity at around 45% is the key, perfect environment during weather extremes
In reply to eastsideTim :
It's common for me to leave the AC set at about 80 degrees during summertime so I don't have to pay higher electricity bills. This prevents rust on lathes, mills, and bandsaws.
