While many households will use their garage to protect their vehicle from the elements, some enjoy having this space for other reasons. They might like having a workshop, exercise room, or craft area that’s separate from and outside of their home. Some even install televisions or set up pool tables to create a relaxation zone. For that reason, when the heat rolls in, it might be necessary to search for how to cool a garage this summer.
There are many factors to take into consideration — the style of your home, budget, and personal needs, for example — but you do have options. Let’s cover some of the things you can do to make your garage a little more comfortable when the weather gets hot.
Why Is My Garage So Hot?
Before we discuss some of the ways to make your garage cooler, we should review some of the things that can bump up the heat.
- Does your garage get a lot of sun? If so, this can make it particularly challenging to keep your garage cool during the summer.
- Is the exterior of your home a dark color? If so, your garage will probably absorb more heat than a light-colored home.
- Is your garage ventilated? Without a proper ventilation system, hot air will be trapped inside.
When trying to find the right solution for cooling your garage, keep these factors in mind. You’ll need to tailor your efforts to address any of the above issues if you’re going to be successful.
Use Fans in Your Garage
For the quickest, easiest, and least expensive solution, it’s hard to beat simple fans. They are widely available, don’t require professional installation, and can improve indoor air circulation instantly.
Depending on the size of the garage, you may need more than one. The best choices are simple oscillating house fans, box fans, or even a powerful shop fan if you need something heavy duty. Just keep in mind that, while the blowing air will give you some relief, fans won’t actually make your garage’s temperature any cooler.
Repaint Your Garage
If you’re planning to use your garage for extracurricular activities, one thing you can do to improve the comfort level of the space is to repaint the exterior walls using lighter colors. This can go a long way towards reducing the amount of heat being generated.
If you’re going to go ahead with this option, you should also consider the color and style of your garage door. Talk to a professional for guidance based on the location of your garage, and how you plan to use the space.
Try a Dehumidifier
You already know that Richmond’s summers are both hot and humid. When the air is thick and sticky, it just makes the summer heat feel so much worse. For that reason, you should definitely make it a priority to address the moisture levels in your garage.
Conveniently, there are many portable dehumidifier models for use inside garages. Removing moisture from the air should make your garage feel cooler and more comfortable. Controlling humidity levels can also be beneficial year round, so definitely talk to an expert about your options.
Address Ventilation Issues
There are so many reasons why addressing ventilation issues in your garage should be at the top of your list. When air doesn’t circulate, it becomes stagnant and can dramatically impact indoor air quality. Considering we typically keep our vehicles in the garage, it’s also important to minimize our exposure to exhaust fumes and other contaminants.
A passive ventilation system, which often relies on spinning turbines, can be installed on the roof. This method won’t need to rely on much energy to dissipate the heat from your garage. An active ventilation system is more complicated and relies on a fan-driven concept. It’s more expensive and will require professional installation, but could be a lot more effective in the long-run.
Install Air Conditioning
If you really need your garage to be cool during the summer, you should probably consider air conditioning. It’s important to remember, of course, that garages, with their large doors and insulation issues, can make efficient air conditioning a challenge (if not almost impossible).
Mounting a small air conditioner on a window is an option if your garage has one. You could also look at portable models, but choosing this option requires making sure your garage is being properly ventilated. The best plan is to speak to a professional to really weigh the pros and cons associated with your different options before investing in air conditioning for your garage.
Other Ways to Cool Your Garage in Summer
In addition to all of the ways to cool your garage during the summer we’ve already discussed, here are some other things you can do to keep the temperature down.
- Let your vehicle cool outside before parking in your garage. If you’ve been driving around, especially on a hot day, pulling into your garage will likely raise the temperature by a few degrees.
- Clear the clutter. If your garage is packed, it will make it harder for air to circulate.
- Make sure your garage is properly insulated to prevent heat from being transferred from your exterior to your interior walls.
- Use your garage either early in the morning (before 11am) or in the evening (after 6pm).
Rather than try to navigate the process on your own, reaching out to professionals can take the guesswork out of finding the best way to make your garage cooler.
At W.G. Speeks, we offer a no-risk, free consultation to provide our customers with clarity and guidance. Our NATE-certified technicians are on hand to give you the level of service you deserve. Don’t waste another minute in a hot, humid garage — give us a call today!
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