Garages can quickly become the most uncomfortable space in your home, especially during hot days. Facing east, my garage used to bake in the sun until late noon. Add to that the heat radiating off car engines, and it was unbearable! For years, I wanted to find a solution to vent out the hot air and lingering car exhaust fumes. Many products seemed inadequate in terms of airflow or were too noisy. Finally, installing a Garage Ventilation Fan has completely transformed the space.
This fan is a game-changer. It moves a significant amount of air, effectively cooling down the garage by drawing in fresh ambient air. The temperature now matches the outside air, and those noxious exhaust fumes are quickly expelled. Here’s a breakdown of how I achieved this improved garage environment:
I already utilized a Fibaro door/window sensor to monitor my garage door status. A bonus was leveraging its temperature readings – convenient! While the fan includes its own programmable controller, I opted for a simpler approach, using it only to set the fan speed. The crucial feature is the controller’s power-off memory. This allows a Zwave plug to switch the fan on, and it reliably resumes operation at the pre-set speed. Automation is handled by Rule Machine, which manages periodic garage venting. It also triggers ventilation whenever the garage door opens and closes, ensuring exhaust fumes don’t linger after parking.
The result? My garage is no longer an oven; it’s much closer to the outside ambient temperature. AC Infinity fans, in particular, are impressively quiet while delivering powerful airflow. When selecting a fan, pay close attention to the CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating. This indicates the volume of air the fan moves per minute and should be matched to your garage size to ensure effective air exchange. The fan also features metal shutters. These are weighted to remain closed against external wind or rain, preventing water and pests from entering.
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