Dear Glenn: We have a 16-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer in our garage. We have it backed against the interior wall of the house. That wall plus the two side walls and the ceiling of the garage are all insulated. The garage door is metal without any insulation, but I suppose it could be insulated with those 1-inch sheets of foam-type insulation. Is it really harmful to leave that refrigerator in the garage during Detroit winters? If it would be easier on the refrigerator, I can empty it and shut it off during the winter.

-- Charles, Brownstown

Dear Charles: If the garage is not heated and kept at 60 degrees, the refrigerator/freezer's warranty is void and the unit will eventually be destroyed by the cold. Some manufacturers do make cold weather units that can be used in an unheated garage. These appliances cost 3 or 4 times as much as a regular refrigerators. Unfortunately, insulating a garage door is not a DIY project. If you want an insulated garage door, you have to buy one.