Whether you have an attached garage or one that stands alone, you may find that you are in need of a heating unit to keep it cozy at some point.
Perhaps your current unit is on the fritz or you want to start making better use of your garage space.
No matter what your reason for wanting to heat your garage, we are here to help you find the best option for you. There are several different types of heating units, and they all have their specific pros and cons.
Heating the Garage
Some people may be scratching their heads at the notion of heating the garage because they don’t understand why it would be necessary. However, there are many reasons why adding some warmth to this part of the home may be worthwhile.
Those that have water pipes running through the garage space may find that adding a heater lessens the chance of them freezing in the winter months.
For homeowners that use their garage as the main way of entering the home, the constant blasts of cold air may be causing the HVAC system to struggle to keep up.
Plus, there are those people that use their garages as workspaces throughout the year, and they would like to keep things toasty while they are doing their woodworking or watching their sporting events.
3 Things to Know When Choosing a Heater
When you begin your search for a new heater, there are a few things that the heating specialist assisting you will need to know:
· The size of your garage
This is the first question the salesperson is likely to ask because the size of your garage determines the size of the heater that you will need. Before you set out in your search, do a quick measurement of your garage so that you can be accurate.
· How much time you spend in the garage
Your heating needs will vary depending on how often you are out in the garage. If you want to use it as a playroom for your children, you may require one type of heating. However, if you are only going to be out there occasionally to do a little maintenance on your bike, then a different type of heater may suffice.
· Will you want cooling for the summer months as well
Some parts of the country can get just as warm and humid in the summer as they get cold and wet in the winter. If you want complete climate controls, the salesperson may have a different suggestion for you.
4 type of heating systems you might consider
1. Wood Stoves
For those that live in rural areas, having a wood stove may be the best option because there is usually an abundance of firewood to be found. These also make a good choice for a large detached garage.
Before opting for a wood stove in your garage, however, you will need to check with your home insurance company. They may have specific guidelines on the chimney installation that you will need to follow to keep in good standing. Things like heat shielding the walls and adding fire-resistant materials may be required. You will also want to check with your town’s regulations regarding what types of woods or pellets may or may not be allowed.
NOTE : It is important to remember that you should never burn pressure-treated wood, painted wood, stained wood, or construction lumber waste. There are chemicals on these types of woods which make them unsuitable for putting in a wood stove.
2. Oil, Natural Gas, and Propane Heaters
If you are already heating your home with fuel oil or a natural gas, then adding on to your central system may be the best option.
However, there are also standalone oil and gas heaters that can be added to your garage as well. You should be able to find direct-vent models as well as unvented models.
The direct-vent system is probably what you are already using if you use natural gas to run your oven, dryer, or furnace.
This type of heater draws air from the outdoors to support combustion, and it exhausts the flue products out of the home via a pipe in the wall.
There are people who have installed these types of heaters on their own, but it is much safer to have a professional do the install because there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if things are done incorrectly.
3. Electric Heating Systems
The choices abound when you are looking at electric heating systems. For simple part-time heating, you can purchase a portable space heater that can be plugged right into your normal 120-volt outlet. If that isn’t big enough to do the trick, you can look at overhead heating units or ones that attach to baseboards.
The electric heater is a common choice because it is so easy to use and install. Plus, they are very quiet and rather inconspicuous. You won’t have to worry about putting in a chimney or ventilation ducts, and they are usually quite budget friendly.
The biggest drawback is their energy-efficiency.
If you live in an area where the electricity is expensive, you may find that the cost of your electric heater adds a good chunk to your monthly utility bill. This is especially true in areas where the winters are extreme. A well-insulated garage can help with the electric heater's efficiency.
If you are using the garage for a children’s play area, it is recommended that you get a wall-mounted or ceiling suspended heating unit to keep it as far away from the kids as possible. It will also relieve any danger of it getting knocked over and starting a fire.
NOTE : When installing a ceiling unit, you will want to aim the louvers at a 45-degree angle towards the floor for better heating of the space. Plus, it is a good idea to mount the heater away from the garage door.
4. Tapping into the HVAC System
For those homes with attached garages, tapping into the existing HVAC system is always an option. This is the best way to get heating and cooling without having to buy a costly unit.
However, you will still need to install ductwork in order to add the garage to the ventilation systems. This is a very effective method in areas where the winter months aren’t incredibly harsh.
It is good to remember that this choice could add extra strain to your HVAC system, especially if your garage has little to no insulation. Also, when the garage is being added to the system, it is important that the air from the garage is not circulated back into the rest of the home.
Your Garage Door Plays a Big Part of Your Project Success
Your garage door is the 4th wall in your garage, and it also happens to open and close.
Your garage door is an important part of the picture to consider when you’re choosing a heating system for your garage.
It may need a bit of love, repairs and fine-tuning to be a keeper. But, if your garage door R-value and U-value were not sufficient from the start, getting an heating system maybe is not the first step for your project. Maybe you should think replacing your garage door before. If so, here is why we recommend Garaga garage doors.
You want to make sure you have the best garage door for really being warm and cozy when you do add a heating system. Learn more about the 2 most popular types of insulation used for garage doors.
You’d like to discuss your option with garage door specialists?
Contact us at 1-800-425-0662 today.
We know garage door systems better than anyone else in Maine, and we will be happy to answer all your questions and advise you on the best doors that will meet your needs as well as your budget. If you’d like, we can email you a quotation today.
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