Guest Blog #116, Entry #580, July 7, 2011

Now that the summer is here, it’s time to think of how to save money from the harsh heat! While we usually think of the main house for cost savings, we often forget about our garage. Many homes have skimped on the insulation and other building components in the garage, and then in turn amounts to added heat gain in the garage. Conversely for the winter time, the garage is a quick way to lose heat.

Save money through your garage

Today, my Guest Blogger gives tips for how to save money in your garage all year long!

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If you’ve moved around much you’ll know just how important it is to have great insulation. Even just getting the basics right will help you to save a considerable amount each and every month, not to mention the significance from an environmental perspective.

When it comes to losing warmth, the roof and garage are real hotspots (or should that be cold spots?!). If you’re really looking to the future I would absolutely recommend insulating your entire property, but if cash is limited and you’re looking for a nice easy win then the garage is a brilliant place to begin. It’s cheap, straightforward and the whole thing can be done in a (slightly sweaty) weekend.

Are you losing warmth through your garage?

The garage door is usually the single biggest culprit for heat loss. Put your hand next to the edge and see if you can feel a draft being let through the perimeter of the door. If you can then this means that there are gaps between your door and door frame, which are generally responsible for about 60% of the heat loss in a poorly insulated garage. As well as being extremely energy inefficient, these gaps will also let in all sorts of crud, debris and water! By installing an insulated sectional or roller garage door, the sides and bottom will be sealed by a combination of rubber strips and plastic brushes. It sounds simple but that’s precisely why it works so well! The strips are extremely durable and will ensure the elements are kept where they belong – outside!

The next problem area is the walls. You often find with garages that are attached to houses that the walls adjoining the house are insulated but the others aren’t. Fiberglass insulation can be easily added and at relatively small cost. It is also very effective as a sound proofing material, which is handy if, like me, you happen to be an awful but very enthusiastic drummer!

Ceiling insulation can save on energy costs

The same of course applies with the ceiling which in most rooms of a property would actually account for the majority of heat loss. Again it’s just a case of adding fiberglass which from a decent DIY store. I would also recommend placing either carpet or even just a rug down on the floor. You’ll be amazed at the additional warmth this provides, although it is obviously dependent on the space not being used for your car. If you want to take it a step further then you can add linoleum tiles across the floor which are not only great for insulation but are much easier to keep clean.

Consider your garage flooring as well

I think it’s fair to say that most people are very aware of the benefits of great insulation from a heat retention perspective, but what people rarely think about is the reverse impact such insulation has in the summer months. By taking simple steps to insulate your garage door, walls, floor and ceiling, you’ll find that it actually stays considerably cooler in the summer months, making it the perfect place to chill out away from the heat and without the need for an AC.

Give it a go. You’ll save yourself a packet and, perhaps more importantly, you’ll find that you now have a huge additional space that can be used for much more than just storing old newspapers, kids toys and trophies from company golf tournaments (just my garage then?!).

Dan Holt is an avid DIY’er and works at a small company in the UK that sells insulated Roller Garage Doors. I have a particular interest in the environmental impacts of domestic energy saving.

For additional money saving ideas for your home, click here.