Despite being a shelter for our vehicles, a garage can serve us as a workshop. We mainly carry out our hobbies and repairs in the garage.
However, garages can become cold during winter. Today, I’ll walk you through the best way to heat a detached garage.
At times, you find your car windows covered with fog. And you waste around 15 minutes cleaning. On the other hand, you find your woodwork damp due to cold if you do woodwork projects at home.
This article will guide you on the best way to heat a garage workshop to save you from losses.
What is a Detached Garage?
A detached garage is a free-standing garage that is separate from your house. The detached garage can be colder because it doesn’t receive house warmth, unlike the attached garage.
However, a detached garage has some advantages. Take a look;
- Physical separation from the house; it does not make running engines or fuel-burning equipment inside the garage safe.
- Reduced noise from the workshop since the garage is far from the house.
- You can build guest living quarters upstairs.
- It’s suitable for a limited front compound spacing because you can set it behind the house.
Best Way to Heat a Detached Garage With Minimal Costs
During heating, you’d want to minimize your costs. Below are ways how to heat a garage cheaply;
Fiberglass Insulation
Insulation slows heat transfer through the garage’s walls and ceiling; it does not generate heat. Air sealing reduces drafts, while a suitable heater supplies warmth when needed.
For unfinished wall or ceiling cavities, choose building-insulation batts or rolls with a labeled R-value and dimensions suited to the assembly. Fiberglass fabric sold for resin laminating, molding or boat repair is not an equivalent substitute.
ENERGY STAR’s insulation guide lists fiberglass batts and rolls for unfinished walls, floors and ceilings. Select the R-value, facing and installation method for your climate and local building requirements rather than choosing a generic fiberglass roll.
Seal appropriate gaps around doors and windows and follow the insulation manufacturer’s fitting, protective-equipment and fire-covering instructions. The job and time required depend on the garage construction; use an installer when the assembly or requirements are unclear.
Benefits of Fibre Glass Insulation
- Building insulation can reduce heat loss through the garage enclosure.
- Batts and rolls can fit accessible framing cavities when correctly sized and installed.
- Air sealing complements insulation; heating energy and maintenance costs still apply.
- Mini Split Heat Pump
A ductless mini-split heat pump can heat and cool a garage without ductwork. Compare its heating capacity at your winter outdoor temperatures, installation cost and operating cost; it is not automatically the cheapest option for every garage.
The mini-split pump system has two major components;
- Outdoor unit – contains the compressor and outdoor heat exchanger.
- Indoor unit – transfers heat between the refrigerant and the air circulated inside the garage.
Refrigerant lines connect the indoor and outdoor units. In heating mode, the refrigerant circuit transfers heat from outdoors to the indoor air; in cooling mode, it moves heat outside. It does not work by sending outdoor air directly into the garage. The Department of Energy explains the different heat-pump systems.
Read: Best way to heat a finished basement
Benefits of Mini Split Heat Pump
- Flexibility – the indoor air handling unit can be installed around the floor, wall, or ceiling.
- It has a remote control which makes it easier to operate.
- It can heat and cool the garage.
- Radiant Heating
The radiant heating method entails the installation of heated fluid pipes or electric wires under the floor surface, on the wall, or the ceiling.
In a radiant floor system, pipes or electric elements warm the floor, which transfers heat to the room.
The appropriate system depends on the building, insulation and how often the garage is used.
The system is thermostat controlled therefore enhancing efficiency. Additionally, the liquid retains heat for an extended period within the pipes. As such, the garage remains warm even after the thermostat switches off the system.
Radiant heating does not remove the need to control heat loss. For an in-floor system, plan the insulation and heating layout together with the installer; the Department of Energy recommends air sealing and insulation to help retain heat.
Read: Insulated radiant pex panel
Benefits of Radiant Heating
- Heating elements or pipes can be concealed in the floor assembly.
- Operating costs depend on the heat source, controls and insulation.
- It can provide quiet heating.
- Design and installation must follow the system’s requirements; concealed pipes alone do not establish safety.
- Portable Space Heaters
Portable space heaters are very flexible because you may choose;
- Fuel-burning heaters, such as propane models, subject to their location and ventilation requirements.
- Electric oil-filled radiators, which heat sealed oil using electricity rather than burning the oil.
- Other electric heaters, including ceramic-element models.
Select a heater that is approved for the space and follow its clearance, ventilation and electrical requirements. Fuel-burning equipment can create carbon monoxide. For portable electric heaters, the CPSC recommends keeping combustible materials at least 3 feet away and never leaving the heater operating unattended.
Portable space heaters are the best because you can quickly move them to any area you desire.
Read: Baseboard heater not working in one room
Benefits of Portable Space Heaters
- Most have thermostat controls.
- They can be easily moved
- Fanless models avoid fan-driven airflow; check the design of the specific heater.
- Convection Heaters
A convection heater can heat a wide range of space. As such, if you have an oversized garage or you’ve stored valuable woodwork, it’s the best option. The device heats an electrically powered element that warms the surrounding air.
Convection heaters are very efficient because they are thermostat controlled and less hazardous due to modern safety features.
You can install an electric baseboard heater as the best option to keep your garage warm. However, you need to create a space around it for better air circulation.
Benefits of Convection Heaters
- Low profile and compact
- Easy maintenance.
- Less noise
- Fanless models avoid fan-driven airflow; check the design of the specific heater.
Are Heated Garages Worth it?
A warm garage can help increase your vehicle’s battery life and save you from jumpstarting the car engine every winter morning. Secondly, if you do woodwork in the garage, it can keep your wooden materials warm and dry.
Are Infrared Heaters Good for a Garage?
An infrared heater may provide spot heating, but it must be approved for the intended environment. Do not operate a heater where flammable paint, solvent or gasoline vapors may be present. Keep combustible materials clear and follow the manufacturer’s instructions; lack of a fan does not make a heater safe for painting.
Can I Heat My Garage With a Wood Stove?
Do not assume a wood stove is suitable for a garage. A non-flammable floor alone does not address combustible clearances, ventilation, chimney requirements or flammable vapors. Have a qualified installer and the local authority confirm whether the installation is permitted and appropriate before considering it. USFA garage fire-safety guidance explains why stored fuels, paints and other combustibles require special care.
Although you may have figured out the best way to heat a detached garage, you must be keen on fire accidents since the garage is not around your house.
Read: Hot water baseboard heating system maintenance