Green Your Garage

As a homeowner you’ve probably wondered more than once what might be done about the garage. And you’re more than likely to have wondered with a groan, or an expletive. Typically the garage is one of the messiest parts of the house: a dark, oil-stained, dusty repository for all kinds of random non-necessities that can include unwanted Christmas gifts, decade-old freezers, unused cans of paint, dead batteries, old car equipment, your kids’ broken toys, out-of-tune musical instruments, household cleaners, some lumber, and the noisy washing machine.

Oh – and it’s also where you put your car in after work.

If you really want to live a greener lifestyle at home, you have to accept the fact that something – anything – must be done about the garage. Or the “car hole” as the Simpsons put it. Here are some great ideas.

Clean, clean, clean

There’s nothing that a garage needs more than a good cleaning. So free yourself up one weekend in order to do just that. Even if it takes you ten weekends, cleaning the garage can minimize the health and safety risks caused by some toxic stuff that you have hidden there in some dark corner. Of course, it also enhances the visual appeal of your garage and lends it a cleaner, fresher feel.

Recycle

Once you’ve gotten all the junk out of your garage, drop them off at the local recycling center. If you’re not quite sure where exactly that is, check out Earth 911 and consult the listings on the site. By putting these unused materials back in circulation, you’re actually helping diminish the need for mining and harvesting and manufacturing – because then if someone needs anything they can reuse these materials to produce new ones.

Let go of the garage fridge

Why? Because more than one energy guzzler is one too many. If you already have a refrigerator in the kitchen, there’s no need for another one in your “car hole”. It’s a luxury you can certainly live without. Besides, a garage fridge is prone to use more electricity than the one in your kitchen, because the compressor works harder having to adjust to the temperature changes in your garage. So settle for that one you have in the kitchen and save yourself as much as 250 dollars a year.

Green your floor

Garage flooring can be pretty tricky, especially since you have to watch out for water and oil and a bunch of other liquids, possibly toxic (like paints and cleaners), messing up the floor. You can opt for materials that dry up quickly, like non-toxic concrete with no drains. This removes the need for hand-washing or having to hose down chemicals down a small drain. If you want additional light in your garage, you can cover your garage floor with bright, reflective (and of course VOC-free or low-VOC) paint.

Energy-efficient lights

Making the switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) is a great way to green your garage. If you want to minimize even further the use of electrical lighting, then you might want to consider installing energy-efficient skylights for natural illumination.

Go for insulation

Insulating the doors of your garage goes a long way in helping you save energy (and money). It also keeps those nasty bugs and insects from coming in and eating whatever junk they find in your garage. Of course, insulated garage doors also allow for a green benefit that not all car owners are aware of: they cut down on drafts and ease the strain on your car battery. To ensure proper insulation, it’s best to consult green remodeling consultants like Greenwerks.

Keep Reading and Check out these Articles:

1. I Go Car Sharing
2. Green Building Glossary
3. Chicago Green Community
4. 10 Easy Steps to Live Green
5. Garage Construction