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;
- No carbon monoxide fumes from cars and other machinery will seep through your house windows.
- 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 is one of the best ways to heat a garage if your region’s temperatures don’t go much low. Insulation ensures cold air doesn’t get into the garage. As such, only the warm air inside circulates.
Using a fiberglass insulation roll is the best method. You can install it around the wall, floor, and ceiling. However, you need to cut it to actual measurements to cover your garage effectively.
Afterward, you need weather stripping tape to seal the window and door frame spaces to insulate the garage fully. Luckily, all these practices are a do-it-yourself job that requires a few hours of your time.
Benefits of Fibre Glass Insulation
- Fiberglass insulation roll and weather-stripping tapes are affordable.
- Installation is simple and easy.
- No other costs once the garage is insulated.
- Mini Split Heat Pump
The ductless mini-split heat pump system is the cheapest and less expensive method. The system is designed to heat a small area, making it energy efficient.
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The mini-split pump system has two major components;
- Outdoor Compressor – draws warm or cold air outside or inside depending on the user’s need.
- Indoor air handling unit – supplies cold or warm air inside via ductless mechanism.
A small conduit connects the components. The compressor draws warm air from outside and sends it inside when it’s cold. On the other hand, when it becomes hot, it does vice versa. The system is operated using a remote control.
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.
The method heats by releasing electromagnetic waves from the heated fluid or wires. When these electromagnetic waves hit the garage floor or wall surfaces, they convert radiant energy to heat energy.
When the energy is released, it circulates through objects, making the method the best in the workshop garage.
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.
The method is the best if you prefer heating garage without insulation.
Read: Insulated radiant pex panel
Benefits of Radiant Heating
- It’s safe because water pipes are underneath the surface.
- Low operating cost.
- It’s quiet
- Very efficient
- Portable Space Heaters
Portable space heaters are very flexible because you may choose;
- A gas, like propane space heaters.
- Oil like the oil-filled space heaters.
- Electric powered- the devices with elements like ceramic space heaters.
Space heaters are designed to heat a small area which may be economical. The devices work best with insulation since they are less hot. Further, they may be effective if you store a few items in the garage.
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
- They don’t blow dust or pollen.
- 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
- They don’t blow dust and pollen
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?
Infrared heaters are the best if you’re working on woodwork or painting projects in the garage. The method is regarded best because it doesn’t raise dust.
Can I Heat My Garage With a Wood Stove?
Most insurance companies don’t recommend wood stoves for garage heating due to fire risks. However, if you decide to use a wood stove while fixing your car or doing other projects, set it on a non-flammable surface.
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