Does cracking your garage door keep your home cooler? Here's what experts say

Raphael Romero Ruiz and Alexia Aston, The Oklahoman
·2 min read
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Summertime in Oklahoma typically means an increased electric bill for those trying to combat the extreme heat. Homeowners and renters alike can get creative in their pursuit of keeping their spaces cool.

One solution some have come up with is to leave their garage door slightly cracked open. The idea is that the few inches of space allows their garages to vent, in turn helping to lower the temperature in the rest of the house.

But does this work?

Here's what to know about this summer myth and whether or not it actually keeps your house cooler.

Does opening your garage door a crack on a hot day keep it any cooler?

Garages are not always the best-insulated spaces in a house, which can cause them to be much warmer than the rest of the home. Improving the insulation of an already existing building can be inaccessible for most — especially if you are renting.

So, people have instead resorted to improving the circulation of air in the garage space.

Garage door company D Bar Garage Doors affirmed some people's theories on the benefits of venting the garage space.

"Cracking the door will indeed benefit and alleviate the heat that builds up. But having a well-maintained, properly insulated garage should be your top priority," D Bar Garage Doors experts said.

Air circulation is not a one-to-one replacement to properly insulated spaces to combat the extreme heat in the summer. Ventilating your garage this way can also have other unintended safety consequences like break-ins and critters.

Tips to keeping your home cool during the summer

To keep your house cool, utilize these tips from Suntech Heat and Air, an HVAC servicer based in Edmond, for keeping your house cool in the summer:

  • Change your air filter frequently — generally this is recommended for every three months, but should be done more often during periods of heavy use or if you have kids or pets in the home. A dirty filter can restrict air circulation and make your air conditioning unit work harder than necessary in the summer heat.

  • Adjust your thermostat when you leave the home. Keep it at a higher temperature while you're gone to give your air conditioning a chance to rest, especially during the hottest part of the day when most people are at work.

  • Use fans, including ceiling and floor fans, to keep air circulating and help the house feel several degrees cooler.

  • Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to avoid letting outside air heat up the house and making your AC work harder.

  • Check to make sure there aren't any plants, grass, weeds or debris blocking the airflow to your outdoor unit.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What experts say can help keep your home cooler in the summer