Short Guide to Help You Choose the Perfect Garage Heating System to Fit Your Needs

Are you thinking about adding a heating system to your garage? Or you might be thinking of replacing one that is starting to get a bit old.

Whether you have a garage in the backyard or attached to your home, there are several choices for heating the space.

The most crucial thing to think about when choosing the right heating system is which is the least expensive and the easiest to get access to in your area, which might be fuel oil, natural gas (propane), or wood.

Why you might want to add heating to your garage?

You might be wondering why you should bother to add heat to your garage. If you don’t spend a lot of time in it, it may seem like a waste of time and effort to do so.

However, there are several reasons to consider it for most people:

Are there water pipes running through or near your garage? If those aren’t insulated well, this can increase the chance the pipes will freeze. This is most likely to happen if the garage isn’t protected from serious temperatures and has no method of heating.

Do you use the garage as an entryway to get into your home? If this is the case, the cold air outside can seep into the living areas of your home. That means the heating system for your home is going to have to work double duty to keep things at the temperature you desire.

Is the garage somewhere you use as a workspace? If it is and you do not heat it, you are likely not getting as much use out of it in the winter. Adding a heating system to the garage will make it more comfortable so you can use it anytime.

What to ask before choosing a heating system?

You might want to get a heating system but before you decide which one is right for you, consider the questions below:

#1 What size is your garage?

The very first question a heating specialist will likely ask is what size your garage is. Make sure you show up with measurements for not only the width and length of the garage but the height as well . These numbers can be used to calculate the cubic feet (meters) that the garage is so you can be sure you can heat it properly.

#2 What is your garage used for?

Think about what things you do in your garage and how often you tend to do them. Maybe you work out in the garage or work on vehicles or let the kids play in a special space in the garage. How often will there be cars present and for how long?

#3 Is summer cooling as important as winter heating is?

Absolutely. If you are in a location with high temperatures and lots of humidity, being comfortable is important. That means keeping the space at a comfortable humidity and temperature is crucial.

Which one of these 4 Heating Systems is the One for You?

Choice 1 - Is a wood stove right for you?

Do you live somewhere far from others and have access to plenty of wood?

If so, a wood stove might be the top option for you. This heating option is a great choice in situations where you have a detached garage that is far from your home.

Before you decide on this option, talk to the company that provides your home insurance to find out about chimney standards and installation guidelines.

For instance, you may need heat shielding on the walls and a certain chimney fire resistance. Some cities and towns also require the use of only specific wood stoves like pellet or slow-burning stoves.

You should avoid the use of lumber waste and pressure-treated wood in your heating system. You want to use only dry wood.

Make sure that you also clean the chimney on a regular basis. Some people choose an option other than a wood stove because of the extra work.

Choice 2 - Should you go for an oil or natural gas/propane heating system?

If you already use natural gas or fuel oil to keep your home warm, expanding the system to the garage is a good idea.

Stand-alone systems that are smaller are also available for small garages. You can choose from a direct-vent or unvented model.

A direct vent system is an exceptional way to add heat to your garage, especially if your furnace, fireplace, oven, or dryer uses propane or natural gas.

This heater has the perk of bringing inside outdoor air and pushing out flue air, which includes carbon monoxide, using a pipe in the wall.

This is something that you can install on your own but professional help is recommended.

This garage heating system works best when the winter temperature doesn’t tend to get lower than freezing or the garage doesn’t need to be kept overly warm.

Choice 4 - Reasons to choose electric heating systems

There are dozens and dozens of different sizes and styles of electric heating systems.

Some are portable and plug into a normal 120-volt outlet wherever you want the heater to go. There are also overhead 240-volt heating units and baseboard heaters that are permanent and cannot be moved. Some systems can hook up to 480 and 208 volts, as well.

The use and installation of an electric heater is one of the biggest perks. These heaters are also clean, not very noticeable, and quiet. There is no need to have ventilation ducts or a chimney. They also are typically inexpensive to buy and install.

However, if you happen to spend a lot on your electricity (dollar per kilowatt/hour), running this sort of heater can end up being expensive. This is especially accurate if you live somewhere that is very cold for longer periods of time. If you decide to go with this heating option, be sure your garage is insulated properly.

With electric heat, you can put the heat in various location. It can be mounted on a wall, on a ceiling, suspended above, and place in a vertical or horizontal way. Since electric heaters are not placed on the floor, they don’t get in your way while you move around the space.

If you are going to install the unit to the ceiling, be sure that you aim it at a 45-degree angle toward the floor. You should also make sure the thermostat is right next to the heating source. In most cases, the unit should be opposite of the garage door to keep the most heat inside.

Choice 4 - The option to extend the heating system of your home

Those who have an air conditioning, heating, and ventilating system in their home along with an attached garage have the choice of increasing their current ductwork, so the system works in the garage.

This is a good option when you want to heat or cool the garage at the same time as your home. This system is best suited for areas where the summers are hot or humid, but the winters don’t get overly cold.

Remember that choosing this option will increase the load of your heating and cooling system. You also want to be certain that the garage air doesn’t circulate throughout your home. Because of these reasons, a specialist should be contacted if you want to go with this choice rather than the others.

The garage door has an impact on temperature

Your garage door acts as one of the walls for your garage, but it also happens to be able to move.

Because of that, having a properly insulated and weathertight garage door will help you handle the hot of summer and the cold of winter.

Your garage door might need new weather seals. Maybe the R value and the U value of your garage door are just too low and you should think of replacing it. If so, here is why we recommend Garaga garage doors. Learn more about the 2 most popular types of insulation used for garage doors.

You Need More Information on Garage Door Before Making a Decision?

That’s smart! Talk to a specialist today.

Contact us at 1-800-409-3667.

Our team knows garage door systems to a higher degree than others. We can offer you assistance in choosing the garage door system that meets your needs along with your budget. We would also be more than happy to email you a quotation.