Energy saving tips for your garage

The typical garage has evolved over the years, it’s no longer just a storage room for your car, power tools and kids’ toys. Nowadays, many homeowners convert it into a home office, extra living space or even a play area. As we use the garage more and more, it becomes even more important for the space to be energy-efficient. Read on for suggestions to help you cut your energy bills.

Garage doors

A remote-controlled garage door uses energy every time you open and close it, so why not think about switching to a manual option? There are several types of doors available today, including all kinds of swing-out, swing-up, roll-up and slide-to-the-side designs that come with automatic and manual opening systems.

Insulation

It’s often tricky to keep garages at a comfortable temperature, but insulation means the room stays warm during winter and cool during summer. Adding wall insulation can help reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 20 per cent, while ceiling insulation may reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 45 per cent.

Also think about draught-proofing the garage to stop air leaking into the room. Checking for gaps in the seals of your windows, doors, and around your floors, walls and ceiling is a good place to start, and affordable supplies to seal the gaps are available from your local hardware store.

Lighting

Some small lighting changes can make a big difference to your energy usage. Using natural light during the day is a good option to cut energy costs; in the garage, opening the door will light up the space perfectly. Alternatively, think about replacing traditional incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Tools and appliances

As with any room in your home, your appliances and tools will affect your energy usage. If your garage is doubling up as a home office or work station, look at the energy rating of the products you buy and remember to switch appliances off at the wall or power board when you’re not using them.

Your garage isn't the only place you can reduce your energy bills. Try EnergyAustralia's online calculator to see if you're on the right energy plan.