Garage airtight?
I have completed my passive solar house, for the most part, thanks to the team and advisors on this site! I am now building an attached garage on the north side (zone 5). I do plan to heat it, probably electric. I just wondered how much attention should I pay to sealing it up and insulating? So far, my wall make up is 2×6 walls on 24″ center with 5/8″ osb. I guess my concern is sealing it up too tight with the carbon dioxide from the vehicles.
Thanks,
Michael Brackett
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Replies
Will you be heating the garage 24/7 or just occasionally?
As long is the overhead door is open while the car is running carbon monoxide should not be a problem.
If occasionally a big electric heater is great warm things up fast. Don’t spent a lot of time air sealing as the overhead doors leak so much any small leaks in the wall will not matter.
If 24/7 get a mini split heat pump.
Walt
Michael,
You're probably thinking of carbon monoxide, not carbon dioxide.
I don't know how well you plan to insulate the garage, or why you want to heat it, or whether you are worried about your energy bills.
But if you plan to heat a room -- any room -- in a cold climate, attention to air sealing and adequate insulation make sense.
Once you have made your garage as airtight as possible, you can always install an exhaust fan to operate for 10 minutes after you park your car inside.
Yes, sorry I don't know why I typed dioxide. I will just be heating it occasionally. Thank you for your help!