Convert Your Garage to a Living or Work Space: What Is Involved?

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As you plan to convert your garage to a living or work space, make choosing how you plan to cool and heat it a priority. It may affect how you design and use the space, along with the extent to which you need to insulate it to maintain reasonable energy bills and comfort year-round. 

Options include:

  • Tapping into your home’s current HVAC system. If you have a forced-air heating and cooling system, you may be able to extend air ducts to the garage. The best way to determine if it has sufficient capacity is to contact your HVAC contractor first. They use software called Manual J and Manual D to estimate the ideal size for your home and the ductwork capacity and configuration based on a variety of factors, including your home’s overall energy efficiency and size.
  • Replacing your current system. The contractor can also inspect your current system. If it’s old and inefficient, you might opt to replace it with a more efficient unit that has the capacity to condition the garage. Even though it requires an investment, over time, you’ll recoup the cost in lower energy bills, even when increasing the livable area of your home.
  • Using a separate system. A ductless mini split heat pump both heats and cools spaces. They are an energy-efficient option that is easy to install. One with a high heating efficiency can keep the garage space warm, especially if the walls and ceiling are adequately insulated. Wall air conditioners and vented combustion heaters also work. Each of these is a separate unit, so when you convert your garage to a living or work space, you’ll have to take into account the placement for each. Although ventless heaters are available, they’re only as safe as the oxygen sensor inside them. Try to avoid wall A/C units that use electric heating coils. Electric space heating is the most expensive to use.

As you move forward to convert your garage to a living or work space, contact Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing for professional advice. We’ve provided HVAC services for greater Cincinnati since 1910.

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