Washington Homeowners: Heating Solutions For Your Garage

Don’t let a Washington winter keep you out of the garage and away from your home projects and hobbies. For most homeowners, the garage area is cold and unheated, making for an uninviting space to work. But don’t let the lack of a heating system keep you from doing what you love. This is the time to consider installing a garage heater so you can keep up with your projects throughout all the seasons.

Here are two ways you can heat your garage or workshop area during the winter months:

1. Install a Garage Heater

You have several options for garage heaters, each with their own benefits.

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are ideal for small workspaces, allowing you to provide direct heat to a specific area. Portable and available in a variety of different sizes, space heaters can be freestanding or mounted on the ceiling or walls. Electric heaters come with a temperature control, so you can adjust the setting to your comfort level, and an automatic shut off safety feature in case of overheating.

Need a pro to install a garage heater? Here's how to find one.

Propane Heaters

Propane is an affordable heat source that has more power than electric heating options. The portability of these heaters gives you the flexibility to move them from one area to another with little effort.

Natural Gas

A small natural gas furnace will heat your garage or workshop efficiently, quickly warming the area so it’s warm and inviting. With this heat source, you’ll be installing the furnace where you need heat the most, but choose an area of the garage where it can be permanently positioned and won’t get in the way when warmer weather arrives.

Radiant Heat

Typically fueled by natural gas or electricity, radiant heaters work by emitting infrared rays to heat up whatever they come into contact with, such as floors and walls. More expensive than electric or propane as a heat source, radiant heat is efficient and provides more warmth than forced air heating.

2. Add Insulation

After choosing the right heater, consider adding insulation to your garage or workshop. One of the biggest reason garages and workspaces are so cold in freezing temperatures is a lack of insulation. Investing the time and money to insulate walls and doors not only helps keep your workspace warm, it also helps prevent heat loss and increases energy efficiency.

Use these tips when insulating:

• Seal cracks and gaps with a weatherstripping seal to prevent cold air from flowing in and warm air from escaping.
• Add insulation to both walls and ceilings.
• Purchase new energy-efficient entry doors to replace those that are not insulated.
• Invest in the purchase and installation of a higher rated insulated garage door.

Need help deciding the best way to heat your garage or workshop? For help choosing and installing the best garage heater for your home, contact a HomeAdvisor heating contractor in Washington state for professional advice and service.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.