How to Heat a Garage

For many, the garage is more than just a place to park—it's a private haven for hobbies, woodworking, auto maintenance, and finding inspiration. Yet, winter's chill often forces these creative pursuits into hibernation. Here is your guide to choosing the best way to heat your garage so you can enjoy the space year-round.

The Best Ways to Heat a Garage

For most residential and professional spaces, three options deliver the best results, providing the power and efficiency necessary to keep your projects moving forward.

1. Unit Heaters

Unit heaters are permanently-installed, self-contained heating units that blow hot air into the room. They are the go-to solution for reliable, powerful heat in any climate.

• These are high-capacity systems, with the average home garage requiring anywhere from 35,000 to 100,000 BTUs. Always get professional sizing to ensure you have the right output.
• Unit heaters are typically mounted to or suspended from the ceiling, keeping them safely out of the way of your work.
• They are available in natural gas, liquid propane, electric, and even hydronic models (connecting to your existing boiler).

2. Wall Furnaces

If ceiling space is limited or you prefer a less obtrusive design, a wall furnace provides a clean, low-profile alternative.

• Wall furnaces mount directly onto the wall and vent straight outside, offering flexible installation options when you lack open ceiling space.
• Choose from electric, natural gas, or liquid propane models.
• While they may be less efficient than a high-capacity unit heater, they are a fantastic solution for smaller, more cramped garages, proving that even a refined space can tackle complex project needs.

3. Ductless Heat Pumps (Mini Splits)

If you seek a highly efficient solution that offers year-round comfort, a ductless heat pump, or mini split, is an excellent choice.

• Utilizing sophisticated inverter technology, a garage heat pump collects existing heat from the outdoors and moves it inside. This process is extremely efficient because you’re moving heat, not creating it by burning fuel.
• Ductless heat pumps can reverse the process in summer to provide air conditioning, making them the best choice for year-round climate control.
• Modern units can work in negative temperatures, but their efficiency will drop. If you live in an area where temperatures regularly plummet, you may want to partner with us to explore a unit heater or wall furnace for more consistent heat quality.

Other Garage Heating Options

For those undertaking a larger remodel or new construction, we offer innovative solutions to truly refine your space:

• Radiant Floor Heat: This involves running electric tubing or hot water piping beneath your concrete slab. It’s perfect when building new or replacing a floor, transforming your garage into a luxurious workspace.
• Infrared Heaters: These provide intense, direct infrared heat. While often seen in commercial settings, they can be an excellent option for large home garages where you need focused warmth quickly.

With the right garage heating system in place, you can transform the space into a useful and comfortable addition to your home. Shop the full selection of heating solutions available at Ferguson Home.