Earth Day 2017: How to Make Your Garage Eco-Friendly and Efficient

Every year, over one billion people around the world commemorate Earth Day by making sustainable lifestyle changes. Creating a clean and healthy planet can start right at home – and even in your garage.

Use Motion Detectors

Even the smallest changes can have a big impact on your carbon footprint and electricity bill. Install motion detectors that switch on the light when movement is detected in your garage and shut it off when there's none. Not only will they help boost your home's security by deterring intruders, motion detectors will also cut down on energy waste by ensuring the light in your garage isn't accidently left on.

Fill in Gaps and Cracks

Over time, everyday wear and tear can create gaps and cracks in the floor and walls in your garage. While these cracks may seem small, they're allowing heat to escape and cold air in which makes the space less energy efficient. With guidance from your local hardware store, use caulk or concrete sealant to carefully fill in the cracks.

You'll also want to make sure that your garage door's weatherstripping is secure and in good condition. If you notice that the weatherstripping around the frame and at the bottom of your garage door appears cracked, brittle or loose, contact the experts at Creative Door to have it fixed or replaced.

Take a Trip to the Eco-Station

Is your garage full of old paint cans, batteries or motor oil? Kick off your spring cleaning with a trip to your local eco-station. These waste drop-off facilities safely dispose of household hazardous waste that can be harmful to the environment if they're disposed of in a landfill. By collecting and safely disposing of these items, you'll not only do the planet a favour, but you'll also do one for yourself by keeping your garage organized and safe for your family to enjoy.

Upgrade to an Energy Efficient Garage Door

An energy efficient garage door helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by preventing unnecessary heat loss or gain. To determine the energy efficiency of your garage door, you'll want to look at your it's R-value. A garage door's R-value indicates how well it prevents heat and cool air from travelling through it and is dependent on the construction of the door and the type of insulation used inside it.

For heated garages, Creative Door recommends a minimum of R-11; however, an R-value of 14-16 is ideal.

Upgrading to an energy efficient garage door can increase your home's energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint. At Creative Door, our team of experts can help you select, install and maintain the perfect energy efficient garage door for your home. Visit your local branch or call us at 1 888 621 DOOR (3667) to get started.