A garage is more than just a place to park your car or store outdoor equipment. It is also a place to practice your yoga, work on a hobby or enjoy some alone time. However, a garage that is too cold or too hot can feel uncomfortable. Garages often have less insulation than other parts of the house, and can thus alternate between being freezing a sweltering. If you want to convert your garage into an area to work on various projects or even just your car, you will want to control the temperature. You can properly heat or cool your garage with the following tips.
Heating: Improve Your Insulation
A cheap, effective way to heat your garage is to improve your insulation. If you love a good DIY project, you can insulate your garage windows with clear plastic shrink film. You will also want to weather strip the exterior of your garage doors. If you are planning to invest in a convection heater, insulating your garage is a great way to keep the heat from leaking out. This also makes other heating and cooling options cheaper, as the insulation will maintain temperature better.
Heating: Convection Heater
Another way to heat your garage is to invest in a convection heater. You can use an electric, propane or natural gas heater in your garage. It is designed to heat the surrounding air to create a warmer space. The type of heater you choose is going to depend on your garage. Keep in mind that some heaters take longer to warm up a space than others.
Cooling: Let in the Fresh Air
When it is time to cool down your garage, you can start by opening the doors and windows. If your garage has more than one door or window, open them all to encourage circulation. This way, you are allowing the fresh air to flow through your space. You can even enhance this method by placing a fan or two near the doors and windows. Try to open the windows late at night to draw in cool air, then close them during the hot parts of the day.
Cooling: Install an Air Conditioner
Installing an air conditioner is an expensive but effective way to cool down your garage. Use a standard window-mounted air conditioner to cool down a smaller garage. Consider a portable air conditioner with outside venting access for a garage that is larger or lacking windows. You may even be able to have central air installed in your garage.
Heating and Cooling: Call A Professional
You can always call a heating and cooling company to take care of your garage. A professional can evaluate your space to find a solution that meets your needs and your budget. They can provide tips for properly heating your garage, and they can install an air conditioning system for those warmer days.
With the above tips, you can turn your garage into a comfortable place to spend a few hours each day. Think about how to maintain the temperature that you’ll need in your garage.
