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 if 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.

 

[QwikKota]

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 .

Is that satire? Do you have any humidity near you?

 

[TnT_M]

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

View attachment 341925

This is what I use in my garage during the humid Iowa summers. Moves a lot of air quickly.

 

[Egg_Head]

Get a floor fan with wheels. It will keep the 'skeeters off you better than a ceiling fan too.

 

[Kestas]

As you said, I always considered floor space on personal property as something that should be conserved. There's never enough. I vote for mounting a fan on the wall or ceiling.

 

[hemitom]

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.

this is the exact fan that I use .

 

[Astro14]

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 .

He’s in Corpus Christi - he’s not going to get the dry heat referred to in the article.

The article is not about the temperature, it’s about the combination of very high temperature and very low relative humidity that can increase heat stress.