Engine heater – good for both the environment and your wallet

Engine heater – good for both the environment and your wallet

Save the environment and enjoy the warmth in your car

Cold starts wear down the engine and increase emissions. With an engine heater, the car starts more fuel-efficiently, releases fewer harmful exhaust gases, and quickly provides comfortable warmth in the cabin.

GARO’s engine heater outlet makes it easy to use an engine heater in a simpler, smarter, and more energy-efficient way. Our engine heater unit ensures that your car gets the most environmentally friendly start possible and quickly becomes pleasantly warm even when it is coldest outside. The unit can sense the outdoor temperature and adjusts the engine heater’s start time to precisely match when you are about to set off. Installing an engine heater at home is an investment that benefits both the environment and your wallet.

Why use an engine heater?

A car with an internal combustion engine that starts warm reduces its fuel consumption by up to one deciliter compared to a cold start. In addition, the catalytic converter needs to reach its operating temperature before it can begin cleaning the exhaust gases, which means emissions are not treated at all until the engine is warm. With an engine heater, you get a positive effect at outdoor temperatures up to +10 °C, and the colder it is, the more important preheating becomes. This applies to both gasoline- and diesel-powered cars.

Three reasons to use an engine heater

  • Lower fuel consumption and improved engine health
  • Reduced emissions at startup, for both gasoline and diesel engines
  • Faster and more comfortable warmth in the cabin

Reduces your carbon dioxide emissions
One major comfort benefit of using an engine heater is that the cabin warms up much faster when the engine is already warm. However, the biggest winner is the environment, which can feel reassuring if you drive a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. A preheated engine reduces the amount of pollutants in the exhaust, especially carbon dioxide and other harmful, partly carcinogenic substances. And since a large portion of all driving starts in a cold car, often close to home, these reduced emissions have a significant impact on both you and your immediate surroundings.

How does an engine heater work?

How does an engine heater work?

An engine heater works by heating the engine’s coolant before you start the car. The result is less wear, lower fuel consumption, and cleaner exhaust emissions when you set off.

To ensure that the engine heater does not run longer than necessary, an engine heater outlet is used to control when the heating should begin. For example, it can schedule the heating and adjust it according to the outdoor temperature. This way, you get a warm engine exactly when you need it, without wasting energy.

Fixed, preset or app-controlled settings

Our engine heater units are available both with a simple setting for a fixed 3-hour activation time and as a more advanced unit where the electronics start according to a preset departure time and outdoor temperature. The MELN-type outlet is perfect for a car at home in a carport. The system is easily and efficiently operated directly via the buttons on the front of the product.

Install and mount an engine heater

Install and mount an engine heater

The engine heating element itself is usually installed on the engine block, which is prepared for this purpose. It is entirely possible to retrofit an engine heater, but installation should always be carried out by a qualified professional to ensure correct installation.

When connecting your engine heater to the power supply, you need to make sure not to use more electricity than necessary, as it can quickly become a losing investment. It is always the outdoor temperature that determines how long the engine heater needs to be switched on before you set off. A simple and effective way to ensure the correct heating time is to use an engine heater unit that senses the outdoor temperature and switches on the power at exactly the right time. The cost of installing an engine heater varies depending on the solution you choose, but the investment quickly pays off in the form of increased comfort, lower fuel consumption, and reduced engine wear.

Smart engine heater outlet from GARO

Smart engine heater outlet from GARO

An engine heater outlet connects your engine heater to the power grid and controls when it starts and how much energy it uses. With a controlled outlet, you can optimize engine preheating, save electricity, and reduce unnecessary emissions. The MELN-type outlet is perfect for a car at home in a carport. The system is easily and efficiently operated directly via the buttons on the front of the product.

Interested in an engine heater at home – here’s how it works

Interested in an engine heater at home – here’s how it works

Installing an engine heater at home is simple. With GARO’s engine heater outlet, a qualified electrician can quickly and smoothly install the solution where it suits you best – by the garage, carport, or directly on the driveway. The installation is tailored to your home and your specific conditions.

For your safety, installation and connection must always be carried out by a certified electrician. GARO’s engine heater outlets are approved according to electrical safety standards and developed for the Nordic climate, providing a safe and reliable solution built to last.

With proper installation of an engine heater, you also benefit from smarter energy use. The outlet ensures that the vehicle is heated at the right time, helping you save both electricity and money.

Reduce electricity consumption with the right settings

How long the engine heater should be on depends on the outdoor temperature. To use an engine heater in the most efficient way, app-controlled and temperature-controlled outlets are the most energy-efficient option. They ensure heating takes place exactly when needed, without manual adjustments or the risk of forgetting to turn it off. This makes a significant difference for both energy use and convenience.

With GARO’s solution, you get an energy-efficient engine heater outlet that automatically starts the engine heater at the right time depending on the outdoor temperature. This means you can save electricity with your engine heater, while ensuring your car is always warm and ready when you need to drive.

Find your electrician for GARO engine heater outlets

Do you want to install a GARO engine heater outlet at home? Our retailers will help you choose the right solution and ensure safe installation.

Find an installer near you

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An engine heater is an electrical device that warms up your car’s engine before starting. It can heat the engine directly or the coolant, making the engine easier to start, reducing wear, and helping the cabin warm up faster.

This depends on the engine type and the outdoor temperature. In very cold weather, 1–2 hours is usually sufficient, while in milder conditions, 30–60 minutes may be enough. Modern cars with electronic engine management are often less affected by cold, so shorter heating times may be sufficient. A simple and effective way to ensure the right heating time is to use an engine heater control unit from GARO that senses the outdoor temperature and switches on the power at exactly the right time.

The cost varies depending on factors such as the type of engine heater and the scope of the installation. There are both basic models and more advanced systems, which means prices can differ.

  • Easier engine starting in cold weather
  • Reduced engine wear
  • Faster heating of the cabin and windows
  • Lower fuel consumption during cold starts
  • Reduced emissions since the engine does not need to idle

No, installation should always be carried out by a certified electrician to ensure correct and safe installation.

GARO offers a wide range of engine heater solutions, from simple outlet inserts to advanced systems with control via app or computer. The MELN-type outlet is ideal for a car at home in a carport. The system is easy and efficient to operate using the buttons on the front of the unit.

Engine heaters are mainly used at temperatures below +10 °C, but they are most effective in sub-zero conditions. The colder it is, the longer heating time is needed for optimal warming. This applies to both petrol and diesel vehicles.

An engine heater outlet is a power socket, often installed in a garage or parking area, designed for connecting an engine heater. It provides the correct voltage and safety rating to withstand continuous operation during cold winter days.