How to Keep Your Garage Cool in Summer
Just like keeping your garage warm during the frigid winter months, maintaining a cool garage space during the summer season is more than ideal — especially if you live somewhere prone to cold winters and hot summers.
If your garage serves as a multipurpose space for work, hobbies or projects, high temperatures can cause excess sweating and discomfort, inevitably tiring you out more quickly. Luckily, we have plenty of tips for cooling down your space. Learn how to keep a garage cool in the summer with this handy guide!
6 of the Best Ways to Keep a Garage Cool
Making some slight adjustments to your garage for summer can help improve air circulation and better organize your space. Just like cold weather can affect garage door openers, sunlight and heat can also compromise their effectiveness. High temperatures can interfere with the operator motor’s sensors and wiring.
Fortunately, insulating your garage door and practicing the other tips below can help keep warm temperatures at bay and protect these sensitive components from heat. Let’s dive in!
1. Install a Fan
Having a fan in your garage can make a world of difference. It can improve ventilation, make the space less stuffy and help push hot air out of the garage. The strong airflow from a fan can increase cooling significantly, boosting the rate of evaporation from your body. Keep in mind, however, that a fan typically works best with moderately warm temperatures. It may be ineffective if your garage is sweltering hot.
You should also note the dimensions of your garage if you’re thinking of installing a ceiling fan. If your garage ceiling is lower, a ceiling fan could interfere with your garage door opening or closing or prevent you from parking a larger vehicle in the space. The ceiling fan’s blades should be 7 to 9 feet above the floor, as well as 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
2. Declutter Your Space
Believe it or not, a garage full of clutter can raise the temperature in your space. Stacked boxes, bulky tools and machinery on the floor not only take up lots of space but can also block airflow, creating a hotter, more stagnant space.
An afternoon of decluttering your garage can help improve your space’s airflow and organization and make it easier to park your vehicle, of course. Installing shelves, cabinets or storage racks — if you don’t already have them — is a great way to maintain a clutter-free garage and keep the temperature in check. Remember to tidy up regularly, returning tools and boxes to their places after each use.
3. Invest in an Air Conditioner
Arguably the most obvious yet expensive solution, installing an air conditioner in your garage is a surefire way to cool down your space. You’ll want to invest in a separate unit for your garage space, like a ductless wall-mounted mini-split or window air conditioner.
Consider a through-the-wall air conditioner if your garage has no windows. This would involve carving out a rectangular section in the wall to fit in the air conditioner. It’s quiet, highly efficient and can cool a space in just minutes.
A mini-split works just fine without windows as well — all you’ll need is a small hole high on the wall, and you’re good to go. The main drawback of a mini-split is the additional energy expense, but using a smart AC controller can help cut down electric bill costs.
You should only opt for one of these options if you spend a considerable amount of time in the garage — that way, it’s more worth the expense.
4. Opt for a Lighter Wall Color
You may have been told at some point that wearing dark-colored clothing in the summer makes you hotter. Likewise, the darker your garage walls are painted, the more they absorb heat.
Try a lighter-colored paint such as white. We recommend taking up this project before the summer season arrives — preferably in spring — and you may notice your garage dropping a few degrees. It may not be the most glamorous solution, but it sure can make an impact.
5. Improve Insulation
Insulating your garage door can increase energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable, moderate temperature, sealing your garage off from outdoor temperatures that sneak into your space. Some of the most popular and energy-efficient insulators for garage doors include:
- Aluminum: A lightweight option requiring minimal maintenance, an aluminum garage door can hold up against weather and resist rusting in coastal climates.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass garage doors are also lightweight and reliable with low maintenance requirements. The finish on most fiberglass doors resembles natural wood.
- Steel: Steel-insulated garage doors are highly durable, long-lasting and dent-resistant, capable of withstanding the elements. However, they can corrode in coastal climates due to high salt concentration in the air, so it’s essential to treat them correctly and have the paint professionally refinished if chipping occurs.
- Wood: While wooden garage doors are typically the most costly, they offer value and a luxurious appeal to your home. They require additional upkeep and resealing to prevent mold, mildew and pests, but they can be durable and long-lasting with proper maintenance.
6. Cool Your Vehicle Before Parking
Your car heats up with use, so when you park it in the garage as soon as you arrive home, it warms up the air in your garage. Closing the garage door traps the hot air in the space, increasing the overall temperature considerably.
Instead of parking the car in your garage immediately, try leaving it in the driveway first to cool off for an hour or two — preferably in a shaded spot, if possible. Leaving it in a sunny spot can continue to heat the car. If parking your vehicle in a driveway isn’t an option, try pouring cold water over the roof of the car to accelerate the cooling process before you move it into the garage.
Prep Your Garage for Summer With AAA Garage Door
Extreme temperatures can take a toll on garage doors, but AAA Garage Door is here to help. Committed to providing superior workmanship and quality products for our customers, we handle everything from garage door and door opener installation to repair and maintenance.
Your garage door encounters a lot with the changing seasons, from extreme temperatures to intense storms to debris and pests. When you turn to us for garage door weather seal services, you can expect prompt and outstanding service that will exceed your expectations and keep those harsh temperatures in check. Request an estimate or service from AAA Garage Door today!
A Guide To Broken Garage Door Springs
Is your garage door spring broken? Whether you have a torsion spring or extension springs, your garage door spring plays a vital role in the operation of your garage door. Opening and closing your garage door with a broken torsion spring is not possible and could be hazardous. Attempting to open it could damage to your garage door or cause personal injury. Garage door springs require professional attention, as springs are under high tension and require specialized tools for repair or replacement. If you’re experiencing a broken spring on your garage door, contact AAA garage door for prompt service and repairs.
If you have a broken torsion or extension spring on your garage door, this helpful guide will point you in the right direction.
How Do I Know if My Garage Door Has a Broken Spring?
Your garage door spring is a vital part of a fully functioning garage door. Your garage door spring is also called a coil or torsion spring, and it is the part that bears the weight of your garage door when it is opening and closing. There are a few tell-tale signs that your garage door spring has broken.
Here’s what happens when a garage door spring breaks:
- The door will not open
- You hear a loud snap, like a firecracker
- Your garage door slams shut when you close it
- The door is misaligned on the rails
- After opening a few inches, your garage door’s safety mechanism stops it
- The door opens very slowly
- The top of your garage door is bent
- You notice a gap between the rings on your torsion or extension spring
- The door is extremely heavy when you try to open it manually
These are just a few of the warning signs that your garage door spring is either broken or about to go out. Many times, your garage door spring will break when you try to open it. While it can happen quite suddenly, sometimes you can tell your spring is wearing out.
You might hear a loud squeaking sound when the door is opening or closing, or the door could seem slightly misaligned. When this happens, you’ll want to stop using your garage door, park your cars outside and call a licensed garage door repair professional immediately.
Can I Use My Opener Remote to Open My Garage Door?
If your garage door spring is broken, then your automatic garage door opener will not work. You will not be able to use your opener remote to open your garage door. For safety, you’ll need to disengage your automatic garage door opener by pulling the string with the red handle located at the top of your garage door system.
To disengage the opener, pull the red handle attached to your opener motor. Next, cut the power to the motor by unplugging it. This way, if you do happen to press the button on your opener remote, the automatic garage door opener will not activate. This measure ensures your own safety and protects your door from further damage.
Is It Safe to Open a Garage Door With a Broken Spring?
A broken garage spring is a potential safety hazard for your family. The springs on your garage door balance the weight of the door while it is opening and closing. When your garage door’s torsion or extension spring breaks, the door becomes extremely difficult to lift. Because of this, a garage door will not always open with a broken spring. And we do not recommend homeowners attempt to open the door themselves.
Garage doors can weigh several hundred pounds, and lifting that much weight over your head can be strenuous and potentially hazardous. The spring itself may also snap if you attempt to lift or close the door. Use extreme caution around a garage door with a broken spring, and if at all possible, call a garage door specialist right away so you can get your door back in operation in the safest way possible.
How to Open a Garage Door With a Broken Torsion Spring
If your garage has a large spring that’s centered just above the door, you have a torsion spring. When your garage door’s torsion spring breaks, your door will not open and you will have to manually lift your door to open it. If at all possible, you’ll want to contact a professional garage door repair company to properly diagnose your issue before you try to open it on your own. Of course, that’s not always possible and you may not have a choice but to try opening your broken garage door manually.
If your garage door’s torsion spring breaks as you’re trying to leave for work or school and you absolutely must get it open, follow these steps:
- Find another person to help you: It will take two people at least to lift the weight of your garage door.
- Inspect your door and surroundings: If your door is bent or off the rails, then you should not try to open it. Be sure to look around for any other potential hazards, wear solid sole non-slip shoes and inspect the rails before you try to open your garage door manually.
- Disengage the door from the automatic opener: As we discussed earlier, you’ll want to disengage the automatic garage door opener by pulling the red handle hanging from the opener’s box on the ceiling of your garage.
- Lift the door: Working alongside your partner, carefully attempt to lift your garage door. If your door is too heavy, then stop immediately and call a professional repair company. Do not risk hurting yourself or someone else, and contact a professional as soon as you realize your garage door is too heavy.
It’s best to leave the garage door untouched until you can get it repaired. But if your torsion spring breaks when the door is open, you might need to know how to close a garage door with a broken spring to keep your home and belongings secure. Be sure to grab your partner and disconnect the opener, then carefully pull your garage door down, ensuring it doesn’t slam or fall shut.
How to Open a Garage Door With a Broken Extension Spring
Garage doors with extension springs feature one spring on either side of the door. If you have a broken extension spring, then your door may come off its track while opening, causing an imbalance.
The safest way to get the door open is to call in a professional repair company right away. If you must open your garage door with a broken extension spring, then you can follow a similar procedure as opening a door with a broken extension spring. You’ll also want to work with a partner, inspect your surroundings and disconnect the automatic opener before you begin. Then, you can:
- Use tools to start lifting the door up: You can slide two crowbars under your garage door to wedge it open and start lifting it up. Instead of trying to lift your heavy door off the ground with only your fingers, using something to pry the door open will give you a little leverage.
- Start lifting: Slowly and carefully lift your garage door up evenly along the horizontal rails. If your door is too heavy to lift, stop and contact a professional repair company right away.
- Place clamps on the rails: Once you have the door lifted high enough, prop the door open using two pairs of heavy-duty vice clamps on both sides of your garage door. Attach the vice clamps to the rails under your door to hold it open.
- Slide ladders under the door to hold the door open: The pairs of heavy-duty vice clamps should temporarily hold the door open long enough for you to prop up the door for a longer period using ladders. You can use two six-foot ladders placed under either side of your garage door’s opening to help hold your door up until a technician arrives for repairs.
Contact AAA Garage Door to Repair Your Broken Garage Door Spring
If your garage door coil is broken, contact the professionals at AAA Garage Door for all of your garage door repair and maintenance needs. Manually opening your garage door with a broken spring is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted. A professional can come quickly, get your garage door working again and ensure the safety of everyone in your household.
With over 25 years of experience serving the homes and businesses of Omaha and eastern Nebraska, AAA Garage Door is your go-to company for emergency service and repair. At AAA Garage Door, we’re committed to providing quality products and services to meet all your garage door needs.
Call AAA Garage Door at 402-707-0789 to learn more about our services or schedule your garage door repair online today!