Should you crack the garage door in the summer? The benefits, risks
The dog days of summer are here, and folks are looking for any way to catch a bit of relief.
Homeowners may be cranking down the air conditioning or blocking out windows with the hope of saving money on electricity bills. Another tip that circulates each summer encourages homeowners to crack garage doors, if they have them, to provide a bit of additional airflow.
Although the idea sounds good in theory, industry professionals have largely advised against this because an unwatched open door can strain a home's air conditioning, pose a security risk, welcome unwanted pests and put strain on a garage door's mechanisms.
Here's a deeper look into the benefits and risks of keeping a garage door open during the summer months.
What are the benefits of leaving a garage door open during the summer?
Opening a garage door can help with airflow inside a tight space, releasing trapped hot air, according to a blog post from Wheat Ridge, Colorado-based American Garage Door. A drawback of doing this is that the open door can also jack up an energy bill. When hot air enters the home, the HVAC system works harder to maintain its set temperature, according to a blog post by California-based Precision Door of Visalia.
If you're going to have the garage door open during the summer, it's best to be in the space or around the yard. American Garage Door said having the garage door open can increase natural light and provide an outdoor extension for gatherings or projects; unfortunately, these pros can only be enjoyed while in the space.
What are the risks of leaving a garage door open?
Industry professionals are quick to share the risks of leaving a garage door open during the summer months.
Leaving an exterior door open poses a security risk. Anyone or anything (bugs or varmin) can enter the space, taking items they see or entering the home itself.
Precision Door of Visalia reiterated that keeping a garage door open can be worse for a home's HVAC system and temperature regulation than what folks may think.
"Proper insulation and ventilation systems within the garage can help regulate temperature without compromising security," Precision Door of Visalia wrote in a blog post. "Regular garage door maintenance ensures the door seals properly, preventing air leaks."
Leaving a garage door cracked or half open can also strain the door's mechanism and tracks, according to Precision Door of Visalia. Continuous pressure can wear the door faster, leading to issues with broken springs, rollers and cables. Precision Door of Visalia recommends keeping the garage door fully closed to maintain its structural integrity while performing regular maintenance, such as lubricating moving parts, to prolong its life.
Other ways to cool a garage
Cracking open the door may provide a temporary relief, but industry professionals provide more long-term recommendations for keeping a garage cool. Here are some ideas:
- Cool vehicles before parking them inside a garage to reduce the amount of heat in the space, Quality Overheard Door in Findlay, Ohio, wrote in a blog post. If your driveway is shaded, leave vehicles in the shade for an hour or two to cool off completely. If your driveway is in direct sun, consider pouring cold water over the roof of the vehicle to help the cooling process, Quality Overhead Door's post continued.
- Keeping clutter to a minimum can impact a garage's airflow, according to a blog post by D Bar Garage Door in Portland, Oregon. Overhead tracks and cabinets can provide additional space.
- Add a fan to generate extra airflow, D Bar Garage Door also wrote.
- Try adding a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in the air, D Bar Garage Door offered.
- Apply weatherstripping around the edges of the garage door to keep hot summer air and cold winter air out, American Garage Door wrote in a blog post.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at Paste BN. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.