Garage AC - AC Tech's recommendations?

[Mixedup]

Situation - I want some AC in my garage - but only "sometime."

My garage has the home's central AC unit "tucked up" above the garages ceiling height - but is accessable from the garage.

I have contacted a local AC company and they said without a return for the garage - cutting in a vent on the AC unit to "open and close" as I am in my garage (4 or 5 hours at most) and direct to my work area - would cause the unit to "frost" and other issues.

They recommend a split for the Garage - $4K plus .... I don't need the garage at a "constant temp" but am looking for "AC air" to be directed to my work area when I am in the Garage for a few hours.

Any AC tech's got some insight on the above reco' - is this a money maker for them or legit ???? Any other reco's for what I am looking for?

I think I need a "able to cut in Vent tube with a pull chain on off directional vent"
any links or reco's would be appreciated!

[Samhain]

I would look at the Mitsubishi ductless systems. They run about a grand installed.

[Lone Sailor]

If you have any windows in your garage you could always go the window unit route. I realize that it's not the most appealing or the most energy efficient in the long run, but $4k is a good chunk when you can get a good window unit for around $200-300. If anything that could solve your immediate need until you can get something else lined out down the road.

[forbes]

for 600 dollars you can install a ptac unit (like they have in hotels with heat and air) let me know i can get one on my account and you pay for it

[KBScobravert]

$4,000 for a split unit design is ROBBERY. I did my 2ton AC/Heat for less than $2,000 installed for my 3 car garage.

Tips:
Insulate the garage door
Insulate above the ceiling
Make sure the drain works, it will generate a lot of condensation

[forbes]

cut a penetration in the side of your hause and use one of these, depending on how big your garage is

[Dacotua]

Get a Window Unit. **IF you don't have a window in the garage, small wood wall that your garage door can come down and close on. Have a cutout for the window unit in the small wall you built.***

This way when you want it, raise the garage, put up the small wall, lower the garage (MANUALLY-Disconnect it from the operator), and walla, you have a instant opening for a window unit. Plug it in and it will cool your garage.

When you don't want it in place, REMOVE the AC Unit and the wall.

It will cost you roughly 300 dollars or so to build the whole thing.

[miketyler]

You definitely want to zone control the garage without sacrficing any cooling/heating capacity to the garage. Stay away from hole-in-the-wall install for residential. Adding a window is cheap if you have the skills and dont have brick exterior. Even with brick veneer it can be done. The hotel heat and air might be a good solution for you if it has the capacity for your garage space.

[RuStYpNuS]

im on board with the window unit idea....hell i have one laying around and typically just sit it on the ground and plug it in about 30 minutes before im ready to wrench.....walk out there and im like OHHH yea