How to Vent Your Garage Heater: What You Need to Know

Vent your garage heater in a snap

A person opening a garage door
Photo: Yuliya Taba / E+ / Getty Images
A person opening a garage door
Photo: Yuliya Taba / E+ / Getty Images
Melissa Graham
Written by Melissa Graham
Contributing Writer
Updated Sep 13, 2024
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
COMPLETION TIME
3 hours
COST
$200–$800
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Measuring tape
  • Power drill
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Ladder
  • Screw driver
SUPPLIES
  • Ducts
  • Vent caps
  • Sealant
  • Metal fittings
  • Pencil

Your garage can be many things—a storage space, a hangout area, or even a workshop. All purposes are possible, especially if you have a garage heater to make the cooler seasons more tolerable. But you’ll also need to learn how to vent a garage heater so that the fumes have somewhere to escape to. Our guide can walk you through each step to get your garage heater and its vent up and running. 

Prepping to Vent Your Garage Heater

Before you bust out your toolbelt, you may want to take care of a few things to ensure the garage heater venting process goes smoothly. First, make sure your garage is approved to vent a heater by researching your area’s building codes and regulations. Determine whether you need a permit or inspection before you add a ventilation system. You should also thoroughly read the heater’s instruction manual to familiarize yourself with the directions. 

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How to Vent a Garage Heater

Once your ducks are in a row, follow the steps below to vent your garage heater. 

  1. Cut the Pipe

    Measure the vent pipe and cut in where necessary to fit the route. Attach the sections with fittings and use a sealant at the joints to keep them secure. Then, use the metal fittings to secure the pipe to the wall or ceiling along the route. 

  2. Drill the Exit Point

    A person installing a garage heater
    Photo: Don Mason / The Image Bank / Getty Images

    Using your pencil, mark the location where the vent will exit and drill a hole with your power drill. Make the hole large enough for the vent pipe, then install a wall or roof plate around the hole, if necessary. Be sure to practice ladder safety guidelines when working at high heights.

  3. Install the Cap

    Attach the vent cap to the end of the vent pipe on the outside. Seal it properly to keep any water or other elements from seeping inside. 

  4. Connect the Vent to the Heater

    Next, connect the vent pipe to the heater’s exhaust outlet and seal the connection tightly. Check along the vent for any kinks or obstructions and make adjustments as needed. 

  5. Test the Vent

    A garage heater mounted on the ceiling
    Photo: BanksPhotos / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    Turn on the heater to make sure it’s running properly and that the fumes are exhausting correctly. Check for any gas leaks before cleaning up the surrounding area. If you have trouble completing the installation or there’s a consistent leak in the vent, consider hiring a pro to review your work and fix any issues.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

Seasoned DIYers can likely handle adding a garage heater vent with the help of instructions and a few tools and supplies. However, if you don’t feel comfortable completing this project, contact your local furnace repair specialist. Although DIY always allows you to save costs on labor, it’s worth your time and energy to hire a professional to ensure the job is done correctly. 

You can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $4,000 to install a garage heater, depending on the size of your garage and the type of heater. You’ll need to consult your garage heater installer about additional pricing for ventilation services. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Most heat in a garage is lost through air leaks in windows, doors, and walls. This is especially true if the walls are uninsulated, which is common in garages. Consider insulating your garage before installing a garage heater to ensure the heat it generates isn’t wasted, making it less efficient.

The best place to mount your garage heater is on the ceiling. Specifically, the best spot is in the corner opposite the garage doors. This location allows the warm air to flow to the most central area, and it increases the heating efficiency of the mounted garage heater, ensuring the heated air spreads into each corner. 

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Learn more about our contributor
Melissa Graham
Written by Melissa Graham
Contributing Writer
Melissa has spent over ten years writing about home design, style, and DIYs for regional and national publications.
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