A typical two car garage represents approximately 20% of the usable space in an average home. In addition, there are currently over 40 million single family residential garages in the U.S. But the fact is, garages are simply the most under-utilized spaces of the home, especially during the winter months. Why? There may be any number of reasons, but one of the most obvious is that garages are typically left cold during the winter, making them uncomfortable to use for any other purpose than parking cars and storing tools.

Within the past 10 years that negative view of the garage has changed dramatically. Climatizing the garage has become much more than an afterthought. In fact, Insulating and providing some type of heat source in the garage has become a priority for many homeowners.

"There is a push among residential building contractors to offer their customers the option of providing garage heat to the new homebuyer", says Matt Workman, of Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc., located in Draper, Utah. "In fact, when given the option by the builder, the homebuyer will almost always choose to have the contractor insulate the garage along with the rest of the home during the construction phase. In addition, when given the option, the homebuyer will at least opt for a gas line connection and/or the necessary electrical connections to handle a heating appliance - with the idea of having a heater installed later on. Now more often than ever, a garage heater is installed during the final stages of home construction. It's an amenity homeowners want and an extra profit incentive for the builder."

"There are numerous practical reasons for heating the garage" states Mr. Workman, " including mechanical maintenance, freeze control, hobby, recreation (table tennis or excercise), pet comfort, wood working or simply to be able to climb inside a warm car on a bitter cold day. For men more than women, the garage is a sanctuary - a place to get away, tinker around and do minor repairs. For women and stay at home moms, it can be a haven for excercise or simply a place to send the kids to bounce a ball or play games." Many homeowners even go to great lengths to make the garage feel like the dwelling space of the home by installing recessed lighting, closed cabinet storage and even a sink. Painting the walls and floors and adding a little decorating touch can also make the garage a more inviting - a place where anyone would want to spent more time.

For existing homeowners as well, there seems to be an increased interest in upgrading and improving the "livability" of the garage. One reason is that home prices have risen sharply across the nation, making a move into a larger home impratical or unobtainable for many families. Rather than moving up to larger homes, many choose to stay put and maximize the use of the space in their existing home. In these cases, a small investment in upgrades to the garage is quite practical, especially when considering the cost of a new mortgage and associated costs of relocating. A heated, climatized garage can provide just that little extra room to spread out and make the garage useful year-round.

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