4 Garage Heating Solutions that Suit Your Lifestyle

Heating your garage means having more living space.

Although most people have a garage, some people never really think about adding a heat source.

If you’re considering garage heating or looking to replace your existing system, you’ll be happy to know that you have a lot of different options to choose from. Detached and attached garages have different heating needs, but you just have to know what you’re looking for.

One of the biggest factors in your decision is going to be which heat source is the most accessible and the least expensive: wood, fuel oil, natural gas (propane), or electric.

Do I really need to heat my garage?

Some people assume that heating their garage might not be worth the money or effort involved. If that is your concern, you can rest assured that it usually is a great investment for those who choose it.

Here are just a few things to consider:

1. If your pipes run through your attached garage, as they do in a lot of homes, you’ll want to make sure that they are kept extra warm during the cold winter months. Even with insulation, they are still at risk of freezing if there is no heat in the garage.

2. Again, with an attached garage, you’re going in and out of your house to the garage on a regular basis. If the garage isn’t heated, it’s letting cold air in the home and reducing the efficiency of your indoor HVAC system.

3. Anyone who uses the garage as a workspace or a place for hobbies is going to appreciate having a heat source during the cold winter months. Whether your garage is attached or detached, adding even a small heater can make a big improvement in how much you actually use the space when the weather is cold.

4. Adding a heat source to your garage can increase your home value.

How to Find the Best System for me?

In your research for the right heating system, you will find a lot of information and options to choose from.

A lot of your decision will come down to what you like best and what fits your budget. It does, of course, have to meet your needs for garage heating.

Ask yourself things like:

1. What size of space you will be heating. When you talk to a heating specialist, this will be among their 1st questions. If you can provide the length, width, and height measurements, they can calculate the cubic feet of space that needs to be heated. This makes it easier to narrow down your options by output and heating power.

2. Whether you’ll also want to add air conditioning to the space. If you live somewhere with humid or really hot summers, a system that offers heating and cooling might be a better investment to maximize the comfortable use of your garage.

3. How you’re using the garage. If you’re just storing cars, a smaller heating system might be fine. However, if you are spending a lot of time in the garage for hobbies or honey-do tasks, you might want a system that can kick out more heat to make it a comfortable space to work in without a bunch of layers.

What is the Best Choice for Me among these 4 Most Popular Heat Sources?

No 1: Wood Stoves

Wood stove garage are great but you have to respect your insurance standards.

Detached garages and more remote properties often have wood stoves.

This is primarily because the stoves can be further away from residential properties and reduce the potential fire risk.

You can really install these stoves anywhere, provided that your city or town doesn’t have regulations against it . However, make sure that you also check your insurance policy regarding the chimney required for your garage wood stove. You might also be regulated to using pellets or another specific type of heating material.

These stoves should only be fueled with clean, dry firewood. Make sure that you aren’t using construction lumber or treated wood scraps that you have laying around. These can create toxic fumes and dangerous conditions inside your stove. One drawback to this type of heat is that you will have to clean the chimney regularly. That adds more work, which is something that people might not want to deal with.

No 2: Propane or Natural Gas

Natural gas direct vent system.

Garages that are attached to homes with existing natural gas heat sources might benefit best from this option. Attached garages can be tied into the existing lines in the home and vented out of the side to prevent garage fumes from leaking into the house. This is known as a direct-vent system, and it is one of the most popular options for people who already have this type of heat in their home.

You can also choose a smaller standalone system, but it will only be able to provide heat for a small space.

They are available with unvented or direct-vent configurations, as well. Also, you’ll need to make sure that this system is installed with proper venting so it will be best to leave it to a heating professional.

No 3: Electric Heat

2 types of electric heat sources

Electric heating probably offers the widest selection of options for heating your garage.

There are portable space heaters and small heaters available that can plug into a standard outlet. Baseboard heating is another option using electric heat sources if you want a permanent installation. There are heating systems available with higher voltage, too, that will hook into 208 or 480 volt systems.

Electric heaters can be placed just about anywhere and they are easy to install. There is no need for a vent or chimney, and systems are usually fairly inexpensive when compared to other options. They often have a quieter and cleaner operation and they blend in better than other heating systems.

The biggest drawback is that in most places, electricity costs are quite high so it can be more expensive to have electric heat in the long run. If your garage is well-insulated, it shouldn’t be too bad.

If you’re installing electric units on the ceiling, make sure they are angled at 45 degrees to the floor and that they are secured properly. Ensure that the system is away from the thermostat, but also keep the thermostat away from the door.

No. 5: Extend your current system

If you have an attached garage with an existing heating system in your home, you can extend it to your garage, as discussed above briefly. This can be easy in terms of installation, and it will save you some money.

However, it will also increase the load on your system. Make sure that your system can handle the increase and that the air from your home isn’t circulating through your garage. Because of this, you should consult with a specialist before you choose this type of heat source.

Maybe my garage door isn’t helping the situation?

The door of your garage is essentially a moveable wall. If you’re going to heat your garage, you need to make sure that your door is well-insulated and weathertight to maximize the efficiency of your system.

Your garage door might need new weatherstripping or maybe its R value and U value are just too low to isolate properly.

Would you like to learn more about garage doors?

Learn why we recommend Garaga garage doors? And what are the 2 most popular types of insulation used for garage doors.

I need to my garage door in shape before adding a heating source

Contact us today to discuss your garage maintenance and repair needs, and how a new garage door might help. Don’t be shy, we will be happy to answer all your questions at 613-749-2138.

We understand garage door systems and can help you get the most from yours, or choose a new garage door to go with your new heating system. You can even request an email quotation for detailed information.

Do you like mobile free app? If so, use our Design Centre to easily build the garage door of your dreams.

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