Your garage might not seem like the first place to look when you're focused on lowering utility costs, but ignoring it could be a price you pay. It's normal to focus on windows, HVAC systems, or attic insulation; with so many ways for air to enter and exit, it's no wonder the garage often gets skipped.
Even though your garage isn’t always climate-controlled, the way it retains or loses heat matters. A better-insulated garage means your home HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard. And energy consumption is especially important in extreme weather.
“If you've upgraded to energy-efficient windows, doors, and heating systems but still see rising energy bills, your garage might be the overlooked culprit,” shares Lauryn Fisherkeller, director at Oncourse Home Solutions. Fortunately, it's usually easy to improve energy bills with smart garage updates that don't require a full remodel.
Signs Your Garage Is Wasting Energy
Some of the easiest clues are physical. Walk from your house into the garage. Do you feel a big shift in temperature? “If you feel significant temperature shifts when entering your garage from your home, it might be poorly insulated, causing energy loss,” notes Fisherkeller.
Another red flag: an old garage door. “Check if your garage door is over 15 years old. Older doors typically have lower R-values, meaning they’re less effective at insulating your garage, leading to heat loss.”
It's especially true for attached garages, where poor insulation can affect energy savings and your whole home’s temperature balance.
What You Can Do to Improve Energy Efficiency
You don’t have to gut your garage to improve energy usage. Here are a few easy and cost-effective upgrades that can help you lower energy costs without a full remodel:
- Seal air leaks: “Walk around your garage and feel for drafts, especially near the door and windows,” says Fisherkeller. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal any gaps.
- Upgrade your garage doors: This applies to all points of entry into your garage space, including exterior doors. Doors with a higher R-value can improve insulation and reduce heat loss.
- Add insulation materials: Focus on the ceiling, and garage walls, especially shared walls between the garage and house. Proper insulation helps with air conditioning and the movement of heat throughout the year.
- Switch to LED lights: This cuts down on electricity use, especially in garages with long-on lights. Replacing incandescent bulbs and upgrading shop lights with LED tube lights makes a big difference. We also like using motion detectors to control lights.
- Let in daylight: “If you frequently turn on lights in your garage during the day, consider adding insulated windows to let in natural light and reduce electricity usage.”
- Check your garage door opener: “Unusual sounds or inefficient operation of your garage door opener can mean it’s using more energy than necessary, suggesting a service check is needed.”
- Turn off power strips if they aren't in use: If you keep a variety of tools plugged in at your workbench, they act like vampire appliances in your home, slowly drawing power. This logic applies for detached garages, too.
Making the Case for Energy Star Improvements in the Garage
If you're thinking long-term, look for Energy Star improvements for your garage, especially if you're remodeling or replacing equipment.
Replacement garage doors, openers, lighting solutions, and insulation products now often carry Energy Star ratings that can help reduce ongoing costs.
Energy-efficient upgrades not only help monthly energy bills, but they might also be eligible for federal tax credits.
Think of your garage as part of your whole-home energy strategy. With a few simple updates and attention to common trouble spots, it can stop draining power—and money—from your home.
