How to Keep Bonus Rooms Over the Garage Comfortable

Using a bonus room over your garage is a great way to extend your living space – whether it serves as a home office, guest room, or playroom for the kids. However, these rooms can quickly become uncomfortable, especially during extreme weather conditions.

If you find yourself battling uncomfortable temperatures in this space, don’t worry – HVAC.com has some tips to help you keep your bonus room over the garage cozy all year round.

Why Bonus Rooms Over the Garage Can Get Uncomfortable

Bonus rooms situated above garages are prone to temperature extremes and discomfort due to their unique positioning and construction. This is primarily because garages are not as well-insulated as the main house, leading to heat transfer between the garage and the bonus room above.

Adding to the comfort issues, bonus rooms typically have inadequate ventilation, which can worsen temperature extremes. Without proper airflow, these rooms can become stuffy or overly hot.

All of these issues combined can cause the bonus room to be much hotter or colder than the rest of your house. For example, if the temperature across your home is set to a comfy 72 degrees in the summer, your bonus room may be in the high 70s. During the winter, the opposite occurs – bonus rooms can be several degrees colder.

Tips to Keep Your Bonus Room Comfortable

1. Ductless Mini-Split Systems

Since bonus rooms over garages are susceptible to significant temperature changes, keeping them at a consistent temperature with the rest of the house can be challenging. Installing a ductless mini-split system might be the perfect solution if you’re committed to maintaining year-round comfort.

A ductless mini-split consists of an indoor air handling unit mounted on the room’s wall and an outdoor condenser unit. The two units are connected via a conduit that contains the refrigerant tubing, power cable, condensate drain, and suction tubing. A mini-split’s built-in zoning capabilities allow you to set the temperature independently from the rest of the home to keep the space comfortable.

Single-zone mini-splits are cost-effective to buy and install and can help lower your utility bills because they don’t require ductwork, which can lose conditioned air. Mini-splits also provide both heating and cooling, making them an ideal option throughout the year

Installing a ductless-mini split may be the best option if you use the space as a guest room or bedroom.

2. Window or Portable Air Conditioners

Another option for cooling your bonus room in the summer is a portable or window air conditioner. These units are affordable, easy to install, and can effectively cool the entire room. Their one drawback, though, is they don’t offer heating, so you’ll need to find an alternative solution for colder months.

3. Insulation Upgrades

Improving the insulation in your bonus room above the garage is a wise investment to minimize heat transfer between the garage and the bonus room. Insulation is typically added in the ceiling between the garage and the bonus room and in the garage’s walls. Popular options include spray foam insulation and fiberglass batt insulation.

4. Ceiling Fans

Installing ceiling fans in your bonus room can improve airflow. In summer, set the fan to spin counterclockwise to push cool air down and create a gentle breeze. In winter, switch the direction to clockwise to create an updraft that forces warm air near the ceiling down into occupied areas of the room.

5. Window Treatments

Window treatments can also help manage the room’s temperature:

• Thermal Curtains: These curtains block heat and cold, helping to keep the room’s temperature more stable.
• Blinds or Shades: Adjustable blinds or shades allow you to control sunlight entry to reduce heat gain during the day.