Many homeowners have extra workspace available in their garage or shop, but the outdoor temperature limits its use. Here we will address the best ways to heat a garage or shop, in order to make this space comfortable and increase your usable square footage.
Insulation
Before presenting the heating options, it is important to address insulation. Many garages and shops are left unfinished to save on upfront building costs. However, having uninsulated walls has to be remedied before deciding on a heat source.
Without insulation, minimal heat will be retained in the workspace, and it will not stay warm, wasting energy and leading to frustration.
There are many types of insulation options, including rigid foam, fiberglass, radiant barriers, cellulose and spray foam. Each of these has pros and cons to usage, but it’s important to find the best fit for your space before spending money to heat it.
Mini Splits
Since most garages and shops do not have ductwork, the mini split is a great option for heating and cooling. Not only are they compact, but they are also energy efficient.
Mini splits work like a heat pump, in that they transfer air instead of heating it. The unit is mounted on a wall and then connected to an outdoor unit through a small hole in the wall.
In addition to heating, mini splits provide air conditioning for comfort through the summer, offering year-round temperature control for any space.
The downside to this energy efficient compact comfort is the upfront cost. Most units start at $3,000 and increase from there dependent on the size and functions offered.
Garage Heaters
Garage heaters are also a great option for heating a garage or shop. They are usually mounted on the ceiling so it’s important to note that this area would need to be clear of storage and shelving units mounted nearby.
There are multiple fuel sources for garage heaters, whereas mini splits are only electric. Garage heaters can use propane, natural gas or electricity.
An additional benefit of a garage heaters is they do not have a filter, which could collect debris from sawdust or other material being used in the garage or shop.
While garage heaters cost less than mini split systems, they do not have the same energy efficiency. This means you will pay less up front but continue to pay more in electricity, natural gas or propane over the years of use.
For questions about your heating and cooling needs, contact us at Pilchuck Heating.
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