We at Neighborhood Garage Door Service of New Haven, CT get a lot of questions about how to save money on energy costs. Believe it or not, there are several energy saving garage door improvements you can make that will drastically cut back on your power costs. Some simple garage modifications, maintenance, or even replacements can go a long way and pay for themselves over the long haul. Check out this list of tips, starting from top to bottom in your garage.
Energy saving garage door improvements above your garage
Check the condition of your garage roof. Cracks or leaks can allow transfer of heat.
If you find that the roof is too damaged to repair, it may be time to replace it with a new, better insulated roof.
Many people have a second story to the garage. This could be attic storage, or even an entire room. Make sure there is an appropriate amount of fiberglass insulation in the floor of this area.
If you don’t have a second floor, you may have skylights. Be sure that they are sealed up tight with either caulking, or a window insulation kit.
Windows and walls
Also insulate any additional windows throughout your garage. Again, use either caulk or a kit.
If your garage has bare studs instead of actual walls, it’s time to install some up.
When installing these new walls, or if you already have them, be sure they are properly insulated with the right R-vale rated fiberglass insulation.
If your existing walls are damaged or getting old, replace the panels. If the walls are composed of sheet rock, consider using half-inch thick drywall for an added layer of insulation.
Inside the garage space
If your hot water tank is housed in your garage, it can radiate a good amount of heat into your garage. If so, be sure they are properly insulated. You may even consider building a small closet area around it to keep the heat out of the main area.
Any exposed pipes should also be wrapped with pipe insulation. This will cut down on any radiating heat.
Sometimes electrical outlets can have small gaps around them, allowing slight breezes into the garage. Use a spray foam insulation to fill these gaps.
For help in the winter, you can use a small space heater to heat the garage independently instead of opening the entrance door and using heat from the house. Be sure to use an electric heater to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Any storm windows in your garage should be properly shut and secured.
Believe it or not, how your garage is organized can impact your energy saving. A neat garage allows for better airflow, which allows for uniform heat distribution.
Garage door
Be sure your overhead door itself is properly insulated. Check the R-value and make sure it meets the minimum standards for your area. If you find that it’s not insulated at all, you’ll want to replace it.
Check the condition of the siding around your garage, especially the entryway. Damaged siding can allow harsh weather inside.
Dry rotted or cracked weather stripping can cause cold wind to make its way into your garage. Replace any bad stripping or seals you may find.
Garage floor
Inspect the foundation of the garage and patch any cracks or holes. You’ll use concrete filler for larger gaps and caulk for smaller cracks.
If you find cracks in the garage floor itself, seal these with caulk.
Once everything is properly sealed in your garage floor, you can add some extra protection by laying out garage mats to keep cool air from transferring from the floor into the air.
If you’ve decided it’s time for an upgraded garage door to help with energy saving, call Neighborhood Garage Door Service of New Haven, Connecticut. We’re your total solution for your garage door needs. Our professionally trained technicians will meet you on site and assess your needs. They can order your new door, and install it once it arrives. Don’t wait any longer, call us today!
