Do you have a garage attached to your home where you store some pretty important belongings? Your family vehicle is most likely stored in your garage along with any other recreational vehicles you may own. Maybe it is where that nice sports car resides in its downtime or maybe it is where your family stores years of Christmas decorations, both handmade and sentimental. The contents of the garage are typically irreplaceable, which is why the climate inside the garage should be controlled.

A garage is a multi-purpose structure that can be used for the storage of various items year-round, even during the winter months. People generally use their garages to store a variety of items, such as vehicles or toolboxes and accessories or seasonal equipment and decorations, or even firewood. They can be attached to the main residence as a secondary structure and entered via an outside door or connecting door inside the house. Some structures are designed to stand alone on the property and can also be referred to as the shed or barn.

Regardless of the location of your garage, it is extremely important to always maintain some source of heat to the structure to ensure the longevity of the contents and the structure itself. But how to heat a garage properly is the ultimate question.

Why Heat a Garage?

Dimplex DGWH4031 4000-Watt Garage

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Heating a garage is important to ensure the safety of the structure long-term. The process of freezing during the winter and thawing once spring has arrived will wreak havoc on the support beams, outer and inner walls, and electrical wiring. The temperature changes inside the garage can also cause damage to any vehicles stored inside and damage more delicate items such as decorations or glass-topped patio furniture. Condensation will form the changes in temperature and could cause mold, water stains, etc.

If you use your garage as a workshop for hobbies or fun DIY projects, the cold temperatures make for an uncomfortable atmosphere. Tools can develop rust and electrical tools might not work properly due to mechanical freezing. People, who use their garage to woodwork or build furniture etc., can find themselves exhausted from the amount of energy needed to be spent on both their project and heating either the garage or themselves.[/et_pb_text]

How to Heat Your Garage

Mr. Heater F260550 Big Maxx MHU50NG Natural Gas Unit Heater

There are no shortages of ways to heat your garage once you have decided to do so but some costs are more exorbitant than others and as with anything, some plans work better than others. Depending on the amount of time and effort, along with cost, that you are willing to put into heating your garage; some ideas may work better for your situation.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways to properly heat a garage, along with what is good about the way and what could deter you from choosing it. Remember these are the most common ways to heat a garage but not the entirety of the list.

Install a Space Heater

Mr. Heater F260550 Big Maxx MHU50NG Natural Gas Unit Heater

One of the most common ways to heat a garage would be to install a heater. There are multiple types of heaters that can be used, with the heat source coming from either propane, oil, electric or gas. Either option will cost extra money for the power of the heater but these heaters are generally equipped with timers so you can control when they turn on and off. Installation costs are minimal along with repair costs, as most heaters are sold with a warranty for repair and replacement! One thing to remember is that a heater normally only heats the air surrounding it, so you may find parts of your garage is still cold. Some heaters are noisier than others, and some styles (propane and oil) can send a fuel-like smell through the air.

Wood Stove

Wood Stove
wood fired stove with fire-wood, fire-irons, and briquettes from bark

One option that is attractive to a lot of people due to the low cost of fuel and consistent heat is a woodstove. Available in multiple sizes and burner strengths, they heat the air in a room with little effort. The stove itself and the installation costs can run a bit pricey at first, especially if you need to install a chimney on the roof of your garage and run the corresponding ductwork. One bonus of a woodstove is the ability to recycle cardboard and paper into a fire-starter material, reducing the amount of waste. Safety is a major factor to consider when using a wood stove to heat a garage, as it is a fire. There is a risk of chimney fires and sparks when using a woodstove, so caution is definitely advised. Never leave a fire unattended and if you plan out of the house for an extended period of time, make sure the woodstove is completely extinguished. If you plan on installing a wood stove, check the local regulations on wood heat from both your council and government officials.

Radiant Heating

Radiant Heating
Underfloor heating with collector and radiator in the room. Concept of technology heating. The order of layers in the floor.

Radiant heating is coils installed directly under the floor of the garage or even in the walls themselves to heat the surface of the area instead of the air around it. This option is expensive for both the radiant system itself and also the installation fees. A difference in the monthly electricity usage will also be seen but can be a great addition for someone who spends a large amount in their garage year-round.

Forced Air Ducts

Force Air Duct
Air Duct

Some people find it beneficial to install air ducts from their existing household source of heat to their garage. This option can be used if you currently use a wood furnace to heat your home during winter months as they operate using ductwork throughout the ceiling of your home. Having a duct leading to the garage will redirect some of the heat from your home to your garage but some reviews on forums state that the amount of wood burned in the winter exceeded the previous ones as they are heating a larger area.

Important Note

Important Note

The way you heat your garage is entirely up to you and the rest of your household but regardless of the way you chose, unless your garage is properly insulated, your heat source will not work to its full potential. Insulation needs to be installed in the ceilings, floor, and walls of your garage with special consideration given to around windows and doorways. Anywhere that heat can escape should be insulated with a fire-resistant product and checked every few years for water damage or other factors that could decrease the life of the insulation. When treated properly, insulated can remain at its highest potential for up to approximately 100 years. To find out more, click here.

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter what you use your garage for or what you have stored in there or if the garage is attached to your residence or stands alone to the side. A heated garage will maintain its structure and the interior of the structure longer than one that isn’t. Talk to an expert at your local hardware store or visit a building supply store to find out prices and installation fees, if necessary. Depending on the amount of time spent in your garage can be a determining factor in what method is used to heat the garage to a comfortable temperature or at least a temperature above freezing.

*You might also like: The Best Ways To Heat A Garage And More!