Is it necessary to have garage in Fairbanks? (rental, air quality)

[Shift1]

My electricity numbers are based off the 19 cents per kW hour that my GVEA bill reflects, including the fuel surcharge.

And there is no moisture in a garage that has a boiler running in it. The boiler burns what tiny amount of moisture there is in the Fairbanks winter air. You probably notice how dry your home is with the boiler running in a utility room.

[Shift1]

The GVEA site you mention says to use 20cents per kW. I just looked at my June bill and its at 23cents/kWhour...

The key thing in the line where it says 2-4 hours to plug in a small car, is that it be a "well maintained" vehicle. That means fresh, clean, lightweight oil.

[Dakster]

Having a garage is always better than not having one... Period. Parking a vehicle in the garage is always going to be better for the vehicle - whether you are in a hot climate or a cold one. A place to store your 'stuff' is nice as well.

Properly maintaining a vehicle is important whether it is parked in a garage or outside. No one recommends below zero cold starts (if you can help it) and no one recommends immediately driving off without a idle warm-up.

The real question concerns affordability. Regardless of the electric cost - there is a high chance that the rent is going to be more with a 'garage' to park in.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Shift1

The GVEA site you mention says to use 20cents per kW. I just looked at my June bill and its at 23cents/kWhour...

The key thing in the line where it says 2-4 hours to plug in a small car, is that it be a "well maintained" vehicle. That means fresh, clean, lightweight oil.

That's not what I am talking about. If you go to GVEA and ask for advise relating to how to save electricity if you have to plug-in your car during the winter, they will point you in the right direction (timers, and monthly cost for plugin your car). As I said before, I never pay the amount you pay for plugging your car. My bill is around $200.00 a month during the coldest month for all the electricity use around the house.

But lest say that a tenant pays $85.00 a month to heat his car's motor from 2-3 hours maximum x 6 months (winter), how can that be more expensive than paying from $100.00 to $200 more a month x 12 months to have a garage?

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Dakster

Having a garage is always better than not having one... Period. Parking a vehicle in the garage is always going to be better for the vehicle - whether you are in a hot climate or a cold one. A place to store your 'stuff' is nice as well.

Properly maintaining a vehicle is important whether it is parked in a garage or outside. No one recommends below zero cold starts (if you can help it) and no one recommends immediately driving off without a idle warm-up.

The real question concerns affordability. Regardless of the electric cost - there is a high chance that the rent is going to be more with a 'garage' to park in.

The question the OP asked is as follows: "Is it necessary to have garage in Fairbanks?"

That its is better or convenient is another story all by itself. If you work on your vehicle, having a warm garage during the winter is quite better than working outside. But if you don't, the garage is just a convenience since the mechanic takes care of the car for you...indoors. Don't forget that you are paying for a garage 12 months of the year.

If a person's money situation is tight, an extra $100.00-$200.00 a month may be difficult.

[MissingAll4Seasons]

"Is it necessary to have a garage in Fairbanks?"

No - neither you nor your vehicle will experience some sort of bizarre matter/anti-matter reaction and delete yourself from the universe if you don't park in a garage during the winter

There are many ways to overcome vehicular starting & running stresses during extreme cold temps, a heated garage is only one of them.

[Shift1]

Well, considering that probably less than 20% of people in Fairbanks park in a garage, I'd say it isn't necessary.

[Dakster]

Originally Posted by Shift1

Well, considering that probably less than 20% of people in Fairbanks park in a garage, I'd say it isn't necessary.

That is a great answer... And one that would help me as a non-resident and probably the OP too. Even though I already knew that it couldn't be 'required' and was more of a nicety than anything else.

But in my own mind -- it goes along with, is indoor plumbing required? The answer is obviously no, you can use an outhouse and carry your water in to shower and do dishes... Is it NICE to have, yes. Does it cost more to rent a 'wet' house vs. a damp or dry cabin, yep... Probably by hundreds a month in rent as well.

Alot depends on your own life situation. What you think is important to you and if you are willing to pay for it.

Ideally, I would want an attached garage that all my vehicles could fit in, so that whenever I wanted to 'run out' of the house I could. I wouldn't have to worry about unplugging or forgetting to turn on the heaters before that spur of the moment trip from home. And since I do all of my own maintenance and minor repairs, there is a certain amount of savings to be gained there too. If you are looking at this PURELY from a financial standpoint.

To the OP - Good luck and if you can, let us know what you decided on and why.

[i4tas]

If you rent a place that is in the hills (above 1000 ft) inversion will keep your car warmer at night. My car actually was colder during the day when at work than parked on the driveway during the overnight hours on most nights. Also I only plugged in the car below -8 F, and I'd say I only had to plug in 10-20 nights total. Used a timer too. Also would skip plugging in on weekends.

[cjs123]

Love the hillside area. One person told me they don't plug in till it gets -10 and I wondered how people determine what the cutoff point is for them? When visiting in January I only plugged in once when it reached -14 while on Cleary Summit (once again, they said, I brought the AZ heat with me).