Even if your home is well-insulated and already energy-efficient, that doesn’t mean that your garage is.
More often than not, the garage is the last area of a home to get upgraded and insulated well enough to keep the heat in and the cold out.
The good news is that there are a number of ways to make your garage more energy efficient.
Even a few small changes can make a big difference.
Seal Up the Cracks and Gaps
A great place to start when turning your garage into an energy-efficient space is to seal up any holes or cracks in the concrete.
Doing this will keep unwanted pests out and will help keep heat in as well as prevent any drafts.
Be sure also to seal up any holes or cracks in the walls.
Pay particular attention to seams or where the walls meet the concrete floor.
Use a latex or silicone-based chalk or flam sealant to seal up any gaps.
This is a very inexpensive fix but could save you hundreds on your utility bill.
Be sure also to seal any gaps between your garage and the rest of your home with weather-stripping.
If there is a gap underneath your door, you can use a simple draft stopper.
Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
If you have a garage that is not insulated, you will want to protect any walls and the ceiling.
Don’t forget the garage doors, which can be insulated with a foam board insulation.
Make sure that outlets and light covers are installed properly and that they don’t have any gaps.
If they have become loose, be sure to tighten them and fill in any gaps with chalking.
Unplug anything that you are not using as well. Even when you are not using that fan, it will still drain energy if plugged in.
If your garage has windows, be sure to fill in any cracks or gaps with caulking.
Get a Heat Source
Install a reliable gas or electric heater to help keep the temperature of your garage closer to what it is on your home.
A bonus of having a heated garage is that your paint and other supplies that you keep there will not freeze and get spoiled.
Just be sure to have your heater away from anything that may be flammable or that may get ruined by a heat source.
Invest in a New Garage Door and Save on Your Electricity Bill
If your garage door is very old or doesn’t shut properly, it may be a good time to invest in a new one.
Newer garage doors tend to be made of better materials and will have a better seal.
Over time, the rubber draft preventer at the bottom of garage doors tends to wear out and it is not something that you can fix with chalking since you will be opening and closing your door regularly.
Sometimes you need to spend a little to save a whole lot more.
In general, a wooden garage door is a better insulator than an aluminum garage door.
As a bonus, a new garage door will also offer a higher level of security over an old one if it doesn’t close properly.
Many burglaries happen because robbers can gain access to a home through the garage via faulty garage doors.
Get Energy-Efficient Light
Don’t overlook your lighting, either.
By switching to LED lights in your garage, you will be able to save a lot over the course of the year, even if you leave them on all the time.
You could even install a light timer that will automatically shut your lights off for you in case you forget to shut them off.
LED lights are known for their long lifespan and efficiency.
Is Your Garage Appliance Draining all Your Energy?
If you have a spare fridge or freezer that you keep in your garage, you may want to consider upgrading to an energy-efficient model.
If your appliance is over 15 years old, it is probably time to get a new, more efficient one.
Or if you only use it seasonally, you could unplug it for a few months of the year.
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