Shop fan or ceiling fan for garage

[Capt W]

I live a few miles off the Gulf and would like to start moving some of the stagnant air in the garage. My garage is north-facing, so it doesn't get the broiler effect of the afternoon sun; however, with the heat and humidity it's a pain to work in. Yesterday I was refinishing an interior door (on sawhorses), and halfway through the job I was standing in a puddle of sweat and dripping all over my work.

I'm not about to spend a bunch of money on A/C or anything like that, so was wondering if I should get a standing shop fan...or would a ceiling fan suffice? I can definitely fit a 48-incher -- maybe a 52.

I'd prefer a ceiling fan to keep the floor free of more stuff, but understand they don't move nearly as much air as a shop fan.

Anybody use either method? FWIW it's a 1.5-car garage, about 24 x 16. Looking at the 30-incher from Harbor Freight:

 

[hemitom]

I use a 20 inch floor fan in my garage which is roughly 18x18 and on high it moves a lot of air and its way better than a ceiling fan at moving air over you.
it actually moves so much air I usually run it on low .
I think a 48 or 52 may be to big ??

 

[Capt W]

Just the kind of feedback I was seeking...thanks! A 20-inch floor fan is 100 dollars less than the pedestal fan I pictured above. I didn't think about a floor fan.

I guess I was a bit confusing above. I was referencing ceiling fan sizes when I said 48 & 52.

 

[Kira]

How high is this garage?
A powered exhaust roof fan?
A gable fan?

 

[Capt W]

Nine-foot finished ceiling with no fans, vents, or otherwise. Pretty plain.

 

[Geekhead]

I live a few miles off the Gulf and would like to start moving some of the stagnant air in the garage. My garage is north-facing, so it doesn't get the broiler effect of the afternoon sun; however, with the heat and humidity it's a pain to work in. Yesterday I was refinishing an interior door (on sawhorses), and halfway through the job I was standing in a puddle of sweat and dripping all over my work.

I'm not about to spend a bunch of money on A/C or anything like that, so was wondering if I should get a standing shop fan...or would a ceiling fan suffice? I can definitely fit a 48-incher -- maybe a 52.

I'd prefer a ceiling fan to keep the floor free of more stuff, but understand they don't move nearly as much air as a shop fan.

Anybody use either method? FWIW it's a 1.5-car garage, about 24 x 16. Looking at the 30-incher from Harbor Freight:

View attachment 341921

FWIW I remember Scotty Kilmer had some kind of big box fan in some of those old videos.

 

[Capt W]

Was also thinking about a high-mount like this 20-incher:

I guess a key consideration might be circulating low-lying air near the floor (cooler) versus air near the ceiling (warmer)?

 

[Nukeman7]

This is the finest high velocity/high output fan I have ever owned. It moves a LOT of air and can easily be moved or directed where you need it, unlike a stationary mounted fan. Check out the 5 star reviews at this link.

LASKO MaxPerformance 20" Fan

 

[Capt W]

Good stuff Nukeman. Thank you. We have a Sam's membership, so this will work well.

Seems the consensus is to go with a floor fan.

 

[QwikKota]

I think my ceiling is about that height and I figured a ceiling fan would get hit by me moving things around or just generally be too low. I bolted an oscillating fan from Northern Tool to the wall and hooked it up to a smart plug to tell Alexa to turn it on when needed. Not super quiet but moves a lot of air. I have seen bars mount those floor version fans with the bent tube frame to the walls using U shaped pipe hangers. Mine has a large flange for wall mounting.

 

[chainblu]

I have a 2-speed pedestal fan. (it was given to me) Moves a ton of air, especially on high, but is quite noisy at that speed.

 

[CleanSump]

Do you have a door other than the big garage entrance?
I have both an air conditioner in the wall and a floor stand fan like you show in post #1.
The AC is nice, but it there are fumes from gas or diesel I open the back door and use the fan to make a breeze out that door. And when it's 90F - 100F in Summer and the big door has to be open, the breeze from the fan directly at me is awesome.

 

[Huskyguy68]

keep in mind, once the temperature hits 95-99 F, a fan is useless and apparently dangerous as it can warm up our bodies too much.

- https://www.scientificamerican.com/...uggy-days-but-avoid-them-in-extreme-dry-heat/
- remember to stay hydrated, drink water.
- you might want to splurge and buy a mini fridge to keep in your garage. Keep bottles of water in there. Also can keep a water spray bottle in the fridge, grab it now and then to spray your face , arms, etc with a mist of cold water and while standing in front of your fan .

 

[walterjay]

I use a floor fan. I recommend them as you can move it around to do what you need at the time.