If your garage is in direct sunlight, consider keeping the door closed as much as possible. On the other hand, if it is in the shade – let the fresh air in and the heat out! If you are opening the garage door, make sure you are home and not leaving it unattended.
'Opening the garage door a crack may allow for some airflow, but it's usually not an effective way to cool down the home significantly,' says Josh Mitchell, HVAC specialist from Air Conditioner Lab.
Damage to Your Garage Door
Even minor damage can reduce the door's lifespan and increase maintenance needs. Leave your garage door fully closed when it's not in use to keep it in top condition and help it reach its maximum lifespan.
Many garages are poorly ventilated. In the summer, the sun beating against a South facing garage door can turn the interior into an oven. Leaving the door raised a bit let's hot air escape and brings the interior temperature down to bearable.
If your garage is in direct sunlight, consider keeping the door closed as much as possible. On the other hand, if it is in the shade – let the fresh air in and the heat out! If you are opening the garage door, make sure you are home and not leaving it unattended.
"Cracking the door will indeed benefit and alleviate the heat that builds up. But having a well-maintained, properly insulated garage should be your top priority," D Bar Garage Doors experts said. Air circulation is not a one-to-one replacement to properly insulated spaces to combat the extreme heat in the summer.
In general, it's best to keep your interior doors open as often as possible in order to allow air to flow freely from room to room. This will avoid pressure problems in your home and will make it easier for your air conditioner to cool your home evenly and with less energy.
Vermin Infestation. During summer, a lot of homeowners leave their garage door open because of the heat. If you don't have a ventilation system or an AC unit in your garage, it can become extremely uncomfortable to work and spend time in. This is why opening the door while you are in the garage is perfectly fine.
Garage ventilation allows the garage to breathe and circulate any excess moisture, reducing the chance of severe condensation issues. Without any cool air, a stuffed-up garage may provoke combustible liquids held in storage and cause a fire.
Improved Air Circulation: Leaving your garage door open allows for better airflow, which can help keep the garage cooler and prevent the buildup of too much trapped hot air within the closed garage space. This is especially helpful if your garage doesn't have any windows to allow for ventilation.
Insulating your garage door can also help keep the hot air outside and the cool air inside. How does ventilation help keep a garage cool in the summer? Ventilation helps keep a garage cool in the summer by allowing hot air to escape and cool air to circulate.
Pedestal fans, box fans, or (even better) a higher powered shop fan will get the air in your garage moving. If you have more than one fan, place them at a window or at your open garage door to blow hot air from inside your garage to the outside.
Open the garage door in the early morning or late evening to let in fresh, cool air. If you have windows, open them too to get a cross breeze that cools your garage. Be sure to close your garage door and windows during the hottest parts of the day. Using window treatments on your windows can also block heat.
Windows are not usually recommended for your garage unless you live in a temperate climate. Windows can make the garage hotter during the summer, and colder during the winter months.
'Opening the garage door a crack may allow for some airflow, but it's usually not an effective way to cool down the home significantly,' says Josh Mitchell, HVAC specialist from Air Conditioner Lab.
Closed for Security Reasons
Most of us store valuable items, such as bikes and tools, in our garages. Leaving your garage door open during the day gives potential burglars a glimpse of what could be inside. So, if you're planning to leave your home during the day, it's best to keep your garage door closed.
Leaving your garage door partially open places undue stress on the door system, potentially reducing its lifespan. While garage doors are designed to be strong and durable, leaving them partially open causes excessive strain and wear. This can lead to a shortened lifespan and increased maintenance needs.
Slow Down the Spread of House Fires
Sleeping with your bedroom door closed is a practice that significantly improves your chances of surviving a house fire. According to the FSRI, closing your door can greatly decrease carbon monoxide levels from 10,000 PPM to 1,000 PPM when compared to leaving it open.
Creating a Safe Refuge
A closed door can create a temporary safe space that keeps the intense heat and toxic smoke outside. With the door closed, the air inside the room stays cooler and cleaner. This “safe zone” can be the difference between life and death as it gives firefighters additional time to rescue you.
Closed doors can make a room feel warmer temporarily by trapping heat, but this may disrupt overall airflow in your home. For balanced heating, it's better to leave doors open so your HVAC system can work efficiently.
Keeping interior doors open is your best option if you want better airflow inside. Opening the doors allows the cool air from your air conditioner to circulate more freely and reach all the areas of your home.
Take the time to inspect your garage door for any gaps and seal them with weatherstripping or caulking. This will help keep the cold air out and prevent pests from entering your garage.
One of the quickest ways to install insulation to your garage doors is to use double reflective insulation because it comes in pre-sized rolls and is easy to apply. All you need to do is to measure and cut sections as needed. The same can be said for the Rigid Foam. It is very lightweight and easy to install.