Many Ohio homeowners ask us how to keep their garage warmer in winter. It’s winter time again. Your home is warm and cozy. Every room is a welcome oasis from the chill and the bite of the winter weather outside. Every room, that is, apart from your garage.
You dread stepping inside. You wish there were a way to keep your garage warm so you did not have to step into a freezing garage every morning on the windshield while it was inside the garage.
The scene we’ve set is a dramatic one, but you get the picture. Winter doesn’t have to mean a freezing cold garage.
We are going to walk you through all of your options this winter to keep the cold air out once and for all. Learn how to heat a garage properly, why garage door insulation is your best friend, and which garage heating options are the best.
Start With Insulation
You can run that new garage heater all day long. It isn’t going to make a difference at all if your garage is poorly insulated.
Garage walls tend to have little to no wall insulation at all. That means all of that lovely, warm heat is going to be escaping through gaps in the thin walls, and your energy bills are going to go way up. What can be done?
Add insulation.
Garage Insulation
Having a professional come and install some fiberglass insulation (or any other insulation material) is going to make a big difference. It isn’t just the walls, you can insulate the ceiling too. Air collects up there in the winter without insulation, and hot air rises, so it is going to be escaping out of the roof if you don’t do something about it.
Ceiling insulation paired with wall insulation is the first step you should take before you buy a new heater.
Garage Door Insulation
The garage door is just as important as the walls and ceiling when it comes to keeping heat inside during the winter. Older garage door panels are usually so thin that the heat just slips right out. Having properly insulated garage doors will help keep your garage warm for longer.
Haven’t got the budget for a new door right now? Look into weather stripping.
Gaps around the door frame are going to be letting a surprising amount of cold air in (and heat out). Using different materials like aluminum or poly foam, etc., is easy to do yourself and can help to keep heating costs down until you can afford a replacement door and some proper insulation.
Does your garage feel cold after heating? You probably need to look at some better insulation. This will help keep your garage warmer and more energy efficient in winter.
Heating Options That Work Well in a Garage
Once you have your insulation sorted, you can think about heating. There are loads of ways to heat a garage: you can go for something portable or for a more permanent heating solution. Either way, you need to pick something that will work for your garage.
Let’s break down your choices:
Electric Space Heaters
Electric space heaters are a good place to start, easy to find, move, and set up yourself. A space heater is a good option for heating up a smaller area. Just plug it in and bring it close to your workbench or the area where you’re working in your garage, and you’ll be warm in no time.
We love a space heater, but they aren’t really a long-term solution. They will not heat up your entire garage. You also need to make sure that you are using them safely, or they can become a fire hazard. If your garage has a lot of clutter (open boxes, tools on the floor, etc.), you want to keep the heater away from anything that might get too hot.
Electric Heaters and Electric Ceiling Panels
An electric heater is the way to go if you want to warm up a larger area than a space heater. They are a more permanent set-up, and you can save floor space by mounting electric heaters on the wall, too.
You can also install electric ceiling panels if you want even more warmth. They are quiet and out of the way, so they are great for busy garages that are in use a lot. Electric heating options like these are a great choice if you want a longer-term solution.
Infrared Heaters
Infrared heaters are interesting. They work by warming objects and surfaces through infrared radiation. The electric heaters we have spoken about so far (in contrast) heat the air. With infrared, you will feel the warmth on your skin and clothes even if the air around you is cool. This makes infrared heaters a good choice if you want to stay warm in a garage where the door is in use a lot.
Infrared heating is a favorite for many people who want to warm up a workspace in their garage rather than heat an entire room. They are also a good choice if you want to avoid stirring up any dust or debris, as they don’t heat air.
Convection Heaters and Forced Air Heaters
These two choices are both popular:
- Convection heaters warm air gradually. The unit pulls cool air inside and warms it up. Then, it sends the warmed air back out into the room. Convection heaters work slowly, but they heat the air consistently.
- A forced air heater warms up a garage very quickly. It blows hot air across the room to bring the temperature up fast. A pretty great option if you don’t use the garage often and you want warmth fast, but it is going to blow any dust that has been hiding around.
Propane Heaters and Natural Gas Heaters
Looking for something stronger? A natural gas or propane heater can be the way to go. They are a good choice if you want to warm up a large garage well with steady heat. Only use a propane heater rated for indoor or garage use, follow its clearances, keep it away from gasoline and solvents, and use a CO detector.
Both of these options do need proper ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector for you to use them safely, though. Do remember that your propane lines should be installed professionally and carefully, and they need to be kept in very good condition.
Wood Stove or Pellet Stove
Building codes restrict wood stoves and other fuel-burning heaters in garages, so have any such heater installed by a licensed HVAC contractor who checks local code. You are going to need a fair amount of floor space for this one, so make sure you plan your garage layout while taking this into account.
Pellet stoves burn compressed wood pellets, which burn more evenly than firewood and provide a more steady heat. Remember that you will want excellent ventilation, though. A stove is a great choice for hobbyists and those who use their garage more like a workshop.
Mini Split or Ductless Heating
Are you looking for a system that keeps you warm in the winter and cooler in the summer? You want to take a look at a mini split. They use ductless heating (the system works without any additional ductwork) to quietly and efficiently heat the room in winter and cool it down in the summer months.
A mini split is going to come with a much higher upfront cost. We think it is worth it, though, for the energy efficiency alone. Your energy bill will be lower in the long run, and you avoid wasted heat because a heat pump moves heat instead of burning fuel.
Heated Garage Floors
We all know how cold a concrete floor feels underfoot in winter, it feels freezing. A permanent solution to this is heated flooring. Hot air rises, as we know. Heated flooring starts below the floor and spreads upwards to heat the room gently and consistently. How much nicer is that compared to the freezing cold concrete?
You are probably only going to be up for tackling this one if you are building your garage from scratch or renovating it, though. It will take some work to get set up.
Match the Heating Method to Your Garage
There is no “one-heater-fits-all” solution. The right heating option for your garage is going to depend on the layout and how you use the space. Here are some of our suggestions:
- Got a small garage workshop? You might be fine with a couple of portable heaters
- Two-car garage that doubles up as a hobby space? You’ll want a larger garage heater (maybe propane)
- Does your garage have lots of open shelves? Infrared heaters may be the way to go
These are all just suggestions, though. You’ll want to have a think about your square footage: a larger garage will need something with more power. Smaller spaces need something simple and safe.
What about the garage door? If the door is being used a lot, opening and closing many times a day, infrared heating might be the best option for you, as it warms the objects in the space (you) and not just the air.
Think about the cost, too. Your electric bill is going to jump up if you are running an electric heater all day, and a gas heater is going to need regular fuel to heat up your space. Try them out, but consider a more permanent heating solution if you are going to be using your garage as a living space.
Simple Ways to Keep Your Garage Warmer
Here are a few easy DIY installation upgrades for how to heat my garage:
- Use weather stripping to keep warm air inside
- Seal up cracks in your garage walls to stop drafts
- Put mats or some old carpet down on the concrete floor
- Block cold air with covers around the doors
- Put in some curtains on any windows to stop heat loss
- Put up some quick insulation sheets across the walls
How To Heat My Garage Safely
How to heat my garage safely? Here are some steps you can take:
- Keep heaters away from clutter to avoid creating a fire hazard
- Always use a carbon monoxide detector with any gas heaters
- Keep an open path for air to move around the heater
- Make sure there is proper ventilation when using gas or burning wood
- Store your fuel source in a safe and dry place away from open flames
- Keep your heater on a flat surface
How To Manage Energy Costs
Want a warm garage without a huge energy bill? We do too. Here’s what you can do:
- Only heat the garage when you need it
- Set a timer and turn off your heater after that
- Insulate the garage properly so your heater has to work less
- Pick energy-efficient heaters
- Turn off the heater if you will be using the door a lot
- Invest in a more permanent solution (insulation and a built-in heating system)
When to Choose a Permanent Heating Solution
This is a simple one, really. You should choose to heat a garage with more permanent solutions when you are using your space more frequently.
There is no point in investing in built-in heating and a load of insulation if all you use your garage for is to keep the Christmas decorations and a couple of old bikes. However, if you use your garage as a workshop or as an extra living space, a permanent heating solution might be the right way to go.
If we had to heat a garage that had been converted into a new living room, we would probably choose a mini split (after making sure we had proper insulation). The mini split handles both heating and cooling, so your space will be nicer to be in all year round.
Final Thoughts
Heating a garage doesn’t need to be complicated or cost a fortune.
You want comfort. You want safety. You want a space that works for the way you use your garage.
Start by thinking about how you can keep the heat you already have inside. Add insulation to the walls and ceiling, and consider getting yourself insulated garage doors. Have a think about how often you use the garage, and how you use it, and the choice of heater should be a little easier.
Your garage can stay warm in winter weather without wasting energy. You just need the right mix of insulation and heat. Once you find what works for your space, your garage can be a pleasure to step into, even when it is freezing outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to heat a cold garage?
A good heater and basic insulation help the most. A small electric unit works for quick warmth. A stronger heater works for larger spaces.
Do I need insulation before adding a heater?
Insulation helps a lot. It keeps warm air inside and reduces heat loss. It also helps lower your energy costs in winter.
Are propane heaters safe in a garage?
They are safe when used with good ventilation and a carbon monoxide detector. Keep the heater away from clutter and store fuel safely.
What size heater do I need?
It depends on your square footage and how cold the garage gets. Larger rooms need more power. Smaller rooms heat up faster.
Can I connect the garage to my home’s heating system?
You can do this in some homes, but not in others. A ductless mini split is often a simpler and equally effective option.
Need help? Call Proactive
Before you heat the garage, make sure the door seals well. Worn bottom seals and gaps let warm air out; we check them on every $49 garage door tune-up. Call (440) 876-4444; the estimate is free.
