Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

Know the pros and cons: These are the best ways to heat and cool a garage

By
garage interior with car and tool bench
Gorloff-KV / Shutterstock

Most Americans use their garages for many tasks other than parking cars. For some, the garage becomes a workshop, studio space, or extra storage room. To really maximize this square footage, other homeowners convert theirs into added living space such as a game room or even a guest room. For anyone who spends more time in the garage than simply getting in and out of the car, adding a heating or cooling system will ensure you can be comfortable in the space whether it’s the peak of summer or the dead of winter. 

How to determine your heating and cooling needs

The most important variables to consider while shopping for garage heating and cooling equipment are the size of the space and the climate of the region. The larger the space, the more powerful the system must be to maintain a steady temperature. Similarly, the more extreme the climate, the more power will be required to raise or lower the temperature to a comfortable level.

Recommended Videos

Calculating BTUs

The British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the most common method of rating the heating or cooling capability of an appliance. Heating or cooling appliances must provide a minimum of 30 BTUs per square foot of garage space. Tall ceilings, extreme temperatures, usage patterns, and other factors can dramatically increase the requirement, so make sure the system you purchase is strong enough to manage your space.

You must also consider the difference in cooling versus heating power. Since most of the country experiences high temperatures in the 90s, cooling BTU requirements for these peak times are similar. However, heating requirements differ drastically different between the northern and southern regions, so you need to ensure the unit can handle your local temperature extremes.

Cooling BTUs

  • 1 car garage: 7,200 to 9,000 BTUs
  • 2 car garage: 13,200 to 15,000 BTUs
  • 3 car garage: 16,000 to 18,600 BTUs
  • 4 car garage: 20,000 to 24,000 BTUs

Heating BTUs

  • Mild climate: 30 to 40 BTUs per square foot
  • Moderate climate: 40 to 50 BTUs per square foot
  • Cold climate: 50 to 60 BTUs per square foot
garage interior with foosball table
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What to do before installing a garage heating or cooling system

Get the most out of your investment by preparing the space beforehand. These steps will improve the system’s operating efficiency, keeping the temperature consistent and saving you money every month.

Eliminate drafts

A drafty space releases costly temperature-controlled air back outside, meaning your system will have to work harder to control the interior climate. With a quick inspection of the walls, doors, and windows, you can easily find the places where air escapes and close all the gaps. 

Make sure the overhead garage door, windows, and any other doors to the outside function properly and close securely. Replace or install new door seals and weather stripping, then caulk or seal any gaps where lines pass through walls, such as exterior water lines, air conditioner condensate tubing, cables, etcetera.

Insulate the garage

After securing any drafty areas, add some insulation. Walls or ceilings with living space on the opposite side need not be insulated. But for areas that face the great outdoors, install R-13 or R-15 fiberglass batt insulation between the studs on all exterior walls. Then, cover the walls with paneling or drywall. Insulate between ceiling joists with R-30 fiberglass insulation or between rafters with R-38, then use R-12 polyurethane insulation panels on the back of the garage door.

home garage with workbench and tools
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The best ways to heat and cool a garage

Ductless mini-split system

These high-efficiency systems work similarly to HVAC systems but without all the ductwork. The two-part system includes an outdoor compressor/condenser unit connected to a wall-mounted indoor air cycling unit by power and refrigerant lines. 

Pros

  • Highest energy efficiency ratings
  • No ductwork
  • Heating and cooling capability in one unit for mild to moderately cold climates

Cons

  • Costly to buy and install
  • Heating capacity may not be sufficient for colder climates

Window unit

In warm climates where freezing temperatures are rare, cooling may be the only requirement to keep the garage comfortable. In this case, a window air conditioner unit is more than sufficient.  If you decide you do want a heating system, window units exist for this as well, although they run a bit higher in price.

Pros

  • Relatively inexpensive to purchase
  • Easy DIY installation
  • Some units offer heating capabilities

Cons

  • Requires a window
  • Must be removed in the winter to avoid heat loss

Forced air heater

In cold climates where air conditioning is not required, a gas-powered forced air heater is the best solution. The heater is typically mounted to the ceiling with the blower directed toward the center of the space. A gas burner warms a heat plate inside the unit, and the blower distributes the warmth through the garage. 

Pros

  • Inexpensive to buy and operate
  • Powerful
  • DIY-friendly installation

Cons

  • Requires an exhaust vent to the outdoors
  • The blower can stir up dirt and debris

With any of these systems, you can ensure your garage is a comfortable, usable space all year long.

Editors’ Recommendations

Mark Wolfe
Mark Wolfe
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer who specializes in garden, landscaping, and home improvement. After two decades in the…
The best garage door openers
best yellow jacket traps to the rescue garage door opener

Make your garage a practical space and your life easier with an automatic door opener. This convenient, everyday technology is a great way to save time on a daily basis and make your arrival at home more pleasant, so you can enjoy a relaxing evening after a long day at work.

Opening and shutting a garage door can be such a tedious task. Often, people prefer to park outside and end up filling their garage with random items that they don’t need. Take better care of your vehicle and make good use of your garage by installing a garage door opener. Whether you’re looking to replace your garage door opener, upgrade your current device, or get one for the first time, we’ve curated a list of our favorites to make your home more functional and keep your car spotless.

Read more
Gas vs heat pump pool water heaters: Which one makes sense for your pool?
Want your pool heated? Here are the facts about gas vs heat pump pool water heaters
Outdoor inground pool with white two story home

You've invested a lot of time, money, and energy into making your outdoor pool a clean, enjoyable feature in your home. And there's nothing quite like cooling off in that crystal clear water on a hot day. Pool heaters for in-ground pools can be even more of an investment, but the benefits of heated water in your outdoor oasis greatly outweigh the cost. You'll have a more comfortable swimming experience, and if you live in a cooler climate, you can lengthen your swimming season significantly. With the different types of pool water heaters on the market, what's the best one for your pool and the area you live in? We'll dive into the two most popular types so you can decide which is best for you: Gas vs heat pump pool water heaters.

Gas pool water heaters
Gas pool water heaters have been around for a long time, so they're tried and true options for heating your pool. They work by pulling water in and using natural or propane gases to heat the water. Then they return the water to the pool, all warm and cozy.
Pro: Heat your pool quickly
Gas heaters are popular among pool owners because they heat the water quickly and keep the pool's temperature stable, regardless of outdoor temperature. For this reason, gas pool water heaters are ideal for pool owners in cooler climates who use their pool less frequently, particularly at the beginning or end of the summer when the outside temperature fluctuates often.
Pro: Lower initial purchase and installation cost
Compared to other, more energy-efficient pool heaters, gas pool heaters are more economical upfront. Their price tags are significantly lower, running between $1,500 and $2,500, and the cost of installation can run as low as $500. Installation is particularly low if your home already has gas energy hookups. If you want to stick to a lower budget for the first year of use, a gas pool heater is a good option.
Con: Use more energy to operate
Unfortunately, if you're looking for the greenest option in pool heaters, gas heaters are not it. They use finite natural resources to operate, so they are not the most environmentally friendly option when compared to other types of pool heaters. They also cost more to operate overall, which you'll see on your energy bills. In general, gas pumps can cost between $300-$500 per month to operate, but you can save money by turning them off when not in use since they work quickly after being turned on.
Con: Higher maintenance costs and shorter lifespan
While initial costs are low, with so many moving parts in these machines, there is a higher likelihood that maintenance will be required. This could end up being an additional cost and headache. Gas pool heaters also tend to have a shorter overall lifespan than their heat pump counterparts since maintenance costs will eventually rise to the point where purchasing a new model will be more cost-effective.

Read more
The pros and cons of ductless heating and cooling systems you need to know about
Are ductless heating and cooling systems right for your home? These are the pros and cons
ductless heating and cooling shutterstock 1023973342

Your heating and cooling system contributes to your overall comfort, so it's a crucial element of your home. It also tends to be the largest energy expense for most homes. It's important to be sure the system you use is both effective and economical. If you're wondering about ductless heating and cooling systems and whether they're right for your space, you've come to the right place. We'll discuss how they work, who they're ideal for, and all the pros and cons of those ductless heat and air units.

How do ductless heating and cooling systems work?
Most modern homes have duct-based HVAC systems that use an outdoor unit for air conditioning and a furnace for heating. Those units push heated or cooled air through a duct system that's set up throughout the house. Ductless heating and cooling systems, however, require no ducts and simply consist of a condensing unit outside the house and indoor units mounted on the wall or ceiling. The indoor units are responsible for distributing cooled or heated air into the home.

Read more