Installing a wall-mounted air conditioner or cooling system is a cost effective way to cool your house in the summer. Using an automag or similar device that tracks room temperature and settings is the best way to do this.
Also known as a gizmo, these devices are easy to use. You put it in one spot, and it tracks temperature changes throughout the day and lets you control how much cool air you want to breathe.
The downside is that you have to install it, set up the commands, and learn how to use it. Which is what makes it such a good gift!
Do not be surprised if your recipient does not even try them because they are so fun to work with.
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Check the existing drywall
If there is no existing drywall over the wall, you can do some additional insulation. Most paints and materials contain certain amounts of air per pound, especially in colder weather. If you have very little of either, you can still benefit from this tip.
To check if the drywall has enough air space, try sticking your hand under it. If it feels flimsy, then there is too little air space to benefit from this tip. To increase the amount of air space, use a paper bag or something similar to box out some drywall material.
If the drywall has enough air space already, try putting about a inch of loose-fitting insulation between the two layers.
Buy polyurethane foam
If you are currently insulating your garage wall with conventional foam, there are some important points that you should consider.
1. Inspect the existing foam to make sure it is in good shape. If some of the bubbles have broken and you find exposed concrete, this may affect the effectiveness of the new foam.
2. When ordering new foam, be sure to get at least 6 inches of insulation on one side and 8 inches on the other. This will give your new insulation a little more strength. Longer blocks of foam will cost more, but worth it for saving money in the long run!
3. Make sure you have enough space between your walls to create an opening for air circulation. A little bit of thickening up the foam can help with this!
4. Do not let children or pets inside your garage if there is room in your insulated wall area.
Cut the foam
Instead of using expensive rigid foam, you can easily cut the existing foam in your garage walls. You will need to remove some of the panels to create more room, but not much.
Using a saw will make this process quicker and easier, as will a knife. If you have a hobby knife or tool, you can use it!
There are many ways to add insulation to your home. This tip is only for giving you an idea of what can be done. Consult an insulation professional if you want something more advanced!
If you want more ideas on how to add insulation in your home, check out this list from the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Re Formula for Home Weatherization Program .
Push it into the walls
If you have a vulnerable area inside your garage, such as your car or tools you’ll be carrying around, consider adding some foam to the floor to insulate the wall sides. This would push into the walls to help prevent overheating and freezing.
The foam could also be used as padding for flooring, making it more expensive, but potentially more comfortable. It may not be a good idea with heavy equipment due to possible damage to the surface.
Using something less expensive and better quality may result in a better product that lasts longer, too. Many companies offer scholarships for their products so you may be able to save some money by doing this.
Things you might want to consider: Check whether there is a window or door on the side of the garage that could possibly let heat or cold wind through.
Finish the wall surface
Now that the outside of your garage is insulated, it is time to finish the inside. Most people use a pocket-sized piece of cardboard as a finish surface to lay their insulation.
This enables you to easily mark where your final depth of insulation should be, and then cut out the space to include it. Then, using your saw, carefully cut out the space to add your wall assembly.
Once this is done, you can add some curtain materials or another cover for privacy. You can also paint or stain them if you wanted a more presentable look.
Drying Insulation in Cold Weather is Difficult, Take Not Doing It Already Into Your Bases!
Once you have laid down your finish layer of insulation, it will take about two weeks for it to reach its maximum density and freeze. During this time, do not disturb the layers at all!
Doing this already helps save yourself from having to purchase more heavy equipment to break up and spread the insulation during transport.
Seal any openings
If your garage is already insulated, do not add any more insulation. Instead, make sure there are no openings in the walls or windows that allow heat and/or noise in.
This includes cutting doors or window treatments to eliminate any opening! If you have a door to enter the garage, you can put up clear plastic wrap and then cover the door with insulated velcro bands. You can do the same with a window treatment to eliminate any opening!
As mentioned before, keep energy costs low by covering your equipment with dragonslayer Velcro banding or by using heavy-duty insulated windows and doors. Make sure to check your gauge tape to make sure it does not break during these covers or doors!
If you have no chances to cover your equipment, make sure it is in good weatherable condition so it does not freeze or burn up.
Insulate windows with low-e glass
A low-e glass window is the best insulation solution available today. It reduces thermal transfer between inside and outside, making it stay cold or warm inside with the windows or doors.
A normal window has an unknown amount of thermal transfer resistance. This means that when a hot item such as a oven or heater is placed in it, it will heat up and protect the outside environment from coolness and/or precipitation.
This is important when building a home because you do not know what year your house was built, or what kind of weather you will have in your home season-wise. Weather can change quickly, which is why this protection is important.
In these modern homes with high technology accessibility, there is no room for the old simple ways of building a home.
Replace garage door with energy-efficient model
If you have a very high use door like in most houses, you should consider replacing it with an energy-efficient model. It will save you a lot of money in the long run because fewer panels and wires are required.
In most cases, installing a new garage door is a relatively low cost upgrade. There are many models to choose from and most cost less than $100!
Installing a motorized door is another cost-effective feature to add. If you do not have one available, adding one is also affordable.
Lastly, adding thermal insulation will help save heat in the winter and coolness in the summer. This can prevent hot or cold spots inside your house, which could prevent either from causing overheating or cooling problems.