The way that you heat your garage is different than the way that you heat your home.
Whether you’re looking to add heat for the 1st time or considering an upgrade to your existing system, you still have a lot of different options to keep your garage useable all year long.
For most homeowners, the primary concern when installing a new heat source is the access to and cost of fuel in your local area. The most common sources are wood, natural gas (propane), electric, and fuel oil.
Why bother heating my garage?
If you don’t spend a lot of time in your garage, you might not even think about heating it until you’re forced to spend time out there. However, there are a lot of reasons to think about a heat source beyond just making the space warm:
1. If there is any plumbing that runs through your garage? It could use a little extra help during the cold winter months. Especially if there is little or poor insulation, pipes are at risk of freezing and a heat source will definitely help.
2. Most people use the garage as the main entry into their home. This causes a lot of cold air to come in and out of the home, which makes your indoor heating system work that much harder to keep the house at the right temperature.
3. If you do use the garage for a workshop or hobby, it probably doesn’t see much work in the winter months. Adding a heating system isn’t extremely expensive and it will add value to the space, in addition to making it more usable for you.
Here are 3 things you should think about when considering heating systems
Before you commit to one system or another, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
1. Do you have a need for cooling also?
Heating specialists are going to ask this. After all, it’s easier to install a complete HVAC system than to install a heater now and air conditioning later. If you live in a hotter climate, this might a good idea.
2. How are you using the space?
If you are just heating the garage for the sake of the cars, your storage, and the pipes running through the space, you won’t need something as powerful as if you planned on working in the garage on a regular basis. There’s no reason to buy more than you need.
3. What size is the space that needs heated?
This is probably going to be the first question that a heating specialist asks. If you can take the measurements of your garage (length, width, and height), you will be one step ahead when they are helping you determine how much heat you need.
Here are the 4 most popular heating systems
1. Wood stoves are popular
For those who live somewhere that is more remote and easy access to wood for fuel, the wood stove is a great choice. Many people also use these in their detached garages that are further away from the home.
Keep in mind that there may be some insurance standards or guidelines regarding whether you can have a wood stove, or which type is allowed.
You may have to choose a pellet stove instead of traditional wood or pick a slow-burning model.
Also, make sure that you do not use treated, painted, or stained lumber. Only use dry firewood to fuel your wood stove. The chemicals can emit toxic fumes that are not safe to breathe. The wood stove also requires regular chimney cleaning, which is usually what deters people who don’t want the extra work.
2. Propane/natural gas
Homeowners who already use fuel oil or natural gas in the home are halfway to installation of a heat source in an attached garage.
Often, extending the existing system is the simplest and most affordable choice. You can also choose a small standalone system, but that might not provide the amount of heat that you need. This style of heater is available in unvented and direct-vent models.
Direct vent systems are ideal because it helps push out more toxic fumes by bringing in air from the outdoors for aiding in the combustion process.
Then, it pushes all the byproducts out of a tiny pipe in the wall. This is always best installed by a professional for proper venting.
3. Electric heating is another option
Electric heat as a source probably offers the most options for heating systems.
From space heaters that plug into standard outlets to full electric baseboard systems, there is something for everyone. Some systems will even offer higher voltage connections, up to 480 volts.
Electric heaters are appreciated because they are easy to use, install, and maintain. They also operate more cleanly and quietly than a lot of garage heating options, and you don’t have to worry about a chimney or venting.
Keep in mind, of course, that you will have to factor in the cost of electricity, which can be much higher than other fuel sources over time. If you have a well-insulated garage or only need a temporary heat source, this might be an effective solution.
Electric heaters also offer more installation options than other fuel sources. Some of them can be built into walls, while others will install on the ceiling. Still others are portable and can be moved around the space.
If you do choose a ceiling installation, make sure that your unit sits at a 45-degree angle to the floor. The thermostat should also be away from the heat source for accurate readings. Also, don’t install the heating unit near the main garage door or it won’t operate at peak efficiency.
4. HVAC extensions
If you have an attached garage, your existing HVAC system might be the best option for heating the space. It is easy to extend the system to reach the garage and it can be managed along with your home because it’s all on the same system. Those who have hot summers and mild winters tend to prefer this option.
Keep in mind, though, that this is going to increase the amount of work that is expected of your HVAC system.
You will need the technician to verify that the system can support the load. Also, make sure that garage air isn’t circulating into the home because it can affect air quality. Ultimately, you need a specialist to help you determine if this is the right choice for your garage.
Your garage door might be the problem?
Your garage door isn’t just another protective wall in your garage.
It also lets a lot of energy in and out, and if it isn’t well-insulated, that can lead to a lot of problems trying to maintain a temperate garage space. No matter which type of heating system you choose.
Your garage door might need new weatherstripping or maybe the R value and the U value are just too low to isolate properly. Maybe it would time to replace it? If so, here is why we recommend Garaga garage doors. And here are the 2 most popular types of insulation used for garage doors.
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