Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on a frustrating issue we're having in our home. We live in a suburban house built in the early '90s, which is about 3,800 sq. ft. and has two floors. We have four bedrooms, and two of them are located directly above the garage, along with a Jack & Jill bathroom that our kids use. The problem is that our son's bedroom is much colder than the other rooms, despite the fact that our furnace for the second story is just outside his door. We've consulted multiple HVAC companies, and they've told us there's nothing more we can do with the HVAC setup, so we're exploring other solutions.
Here's what we've already done:
- Insulated the attic with all-new blown insulation.
- Installed windows that are less than 10 years old, so they aren't a major issue.
- Added a vent fan to help increase airflow, which has made a slight improvement.
We're now considering a big project: tearing down the garage down to the studs, reinsulating, and redoing the drywall. The garage has high ceilings and outdated finishes, so it would be nice to have a clean look. However, I'm unsure whether this effort would actually help with the warmth of the bedrooms and bathroom. The garage is about 3 cars wide and 21' deep, already insulated but with pretty old batts. I'm also thinking about getting a mini-split system for my son's room, but it feels like that would just be a band-aid solution. Does anyone have experience with these kinds of renovations? Would new insulation like Rockwool or spray-in make a big difference? Any other suggestions to try? Thanks!
2 Answers
Heated garages can help, but you might also want to consider using space heaters upstairs. That said, it could be a lot of extra heating for not much gain—maybe just a thought!
I faced a similar situation and ended up doing what you're considering: tearing down the drywall and adding proper insulation. It made a HUGE difference! The builder didn't insulate the outside walls in my Master Bedroom, and once I addressed that, my heating costs dropped significantly. I recouped the costs within three years. It could be worth it if you're really struggling with the cold!
Yeah, we have a lot of space to heat and I'm not sure it would be worth it overall, but it could make a difference for the rooms above.