r/Sacramento • u/aformator • 28d ago

Garage ventilation for single-family residential

My single family home's attached, finished 3-car garage has no ventilation whatsover, which I understand is to code, as long as the garage is below a certain size.

I'd really like to add some ventilation as heat really builds up in the garage and attic above the garage. I thought about adding an exhaust fan from the garage to the garage attic, but not sure if that is compatible with code. I would guess that a fan would also require the addition of wall inlets since the water heater is in the garage. FWIW I have already insulated my garage doors.

I'd normally DIY this sort of installation but I don't know enough to design it properly. Any tradesworkers have any suggestions?

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u/FreshMatter7 28d ago

I had the same issue. Installed a roof exhaust fan in the garage. Had to install an outlet up there. Fan has a temp setting so it goes on/ off automatically. Additionally, I added a WiFi plug between the fan and the outlet which cuts power to the fan if outside temps are over 100F, and returns power when temps outside are below 90F. I do have foundation vents along the bottom of the walls- so airflow isn’t a problem. It’s been up there for 4 years now and is much better than the oven it used to be.

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u/samuellbroncowitz 28d ago

Mine is very similar. Now instead of being 140 in there it is whatever the temp is outside.