Owning a garage is a dream come true for many people. It not only provides a convenient place for cars and other vehicles, extending their lifespan, but it also creates a lot of extra storage space. While a garage might seem to offer only advantages, there can certainly be a downside. This is energy loss, which you'll notice negatively on your energy bill. You can save money by inspecting your garage for energy loss. Of course, you'll learn more about the condition of both your home and garage by having a building inspection performed. Want to check your garage for energy loss yourself first? Then consider the following 5 points.
If the garage door is relatively new, chances are it's already insulated. However, a large number of residential garages in the Netherlands still have uninsulated doors. This results in significant energy loss. You can replace the garage door with an insulated one, but it's often more cost-effective to insulate the existing door yourself.
A problem we regularly encounter in practice is damage to garage walls. These are often cracks and fissures that allow heat to escape. If it's a cavity wall, it's best to insulate it with a good insulation material. If it's not a cavity wall, fill all the damage to prevent heat from escaping.
It goes without saying that you want good lighting in your garage. A garage gets very dark in the evenings and at night when there's no proper lighting. In practice, we see that many garages are still lit with incandescent bulbs or old-fashioned fluorescent tubes. You'll certainly notice this on your energy bill, as these types of lighting aren't very energy-efficient. It's better to install compact fluorescent bulbs in your garage lighting. You'll definitely see a reduction in your energy bill.
Not all garages have windows, but a large proportion of garages with windows are single-paned. This results in significant energy loss. We also often see gaps next to garage windows, where heat can easily escape. Fill the gaps or install a weatherstrip to prevent heat loss. If a garage window no longer closes properly, it's wise to replace or repair it if possible.
Garage doors aren't always of the highest quality anymore. We can encounter the same problems as with garage windows, such as gaps. Fill the gaps or install a weatherstrip. If the door between the garage and the house isn't insulated, it's wise to ensure proper insulation.
If you're considering buying a house with a garage, it's recommended to have a building inspection carried out. This will provide you with a complete overview of the condition of both the house and the garage. This means you'll have a good understanding of any maintenance costs you might face in the short term. Homekeur is happy to carry out the building inspection for you. Interested in scheduling an appointment or would you like more information and advice? Feel free to contact us.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
