Garage Heater?

[Bullyboy]

I have a radiant heater that works pretty well in the garage. Actually I have two. I have a half dozen metal strips screwed to the ceiling and magnets on the heater so I move it around to the area I need the heat.

[ricola]

I use a freestanding electric heater, just put it on an hour or so before I go out and it gets the temperature above freezing , just wear more clothes!

Rich

[Panelfantastic]

I went natural gas. A lot of shop to heat and planning something permanent for the long haul.
Have the same reservations about propane and kerosene but have worked in plenty of new construction where that was all we had and never was a problem. The catch is, that stuffs expensive. One or two nights every couple weeks is no biggie but if you were running it a whole weekend... the up side is you can run it for about an hour before you go out, prolly wont have to turn it on again that night.
I like the electric ones BB has. They do draw some juice though and how many outlets/much service do you have going to shop?



Jeff-

[Doogie S]

I have a radiant tube natural gas heater (same type a lot of warehouses, shops use).

No open flame to worry about plus it heats the floor slab, not the air, so the temperature is much more evenly distributed.

Mine is an 8ft one which is installed in a 24 x 26 garage and is vented out the side wall of the garage.

I had a horizontal flow natural gas furnace (80,000 BTU) in my old garage and while it kept the space warm(+10 C or so), the floor was always so cold you could see your breath when you had to work under the car and your feet were always cold.

Electric is OK, but you really don't get a lot of heat out of a 110 volt outlet. BV’s is available from Lee Valley Tools, which looks to be a good unit. I think regular outlets are rated for only 1500 watts of power, so if you plug in your heater and then a power tool or something, you end up popping breakers. Plus, electricity is much more $$ per BTU than gas is (or used to be, I haven't priced it out lately though)

Of course, we are talking Canadian Climate, so your needs may vary depending how cold it gets where you live.

Cheers,


Doug

[volkdent]

Originally Posted by Doogie S

I have a radiant tube natural gas heater (same type a lot of warehouses, shops use).

No open flame to worry about plus it heats the floor slab, not the air, so the temperature is much more evenly distributed.

Mine is an 8ft one which is installed in a 24 x 26 garage and is vented out the side wall of the garage.

I had a horizontal flow natural gas furnace (80,000 BTU) in my old garage and while it kept the space warm(+10 C or so), the floor was always so cold you could see your breath when you had to work under the car and your feet were always cold.

Electric is OK, but you really don't get a lot of heat out of a 110 volt outlet. BV’s is available from Lee Valley Tools, which looks to be a good unit. I think regular outlets are rated for only 1500 watts of power, so if you plug in your heater and then a power tool or something, you end up popping breakers. Plus, electricity is much more $$ per BTU than gas is (or used to be, I haven't priced it out lately though)

Of course, we are talking Canadian Climate, so your needs may vary depending how cold it gets where you live.

Cheers,


Doug

Now you tell me! After I've already poured my pad!

Well, I was at Costco, and they have those focused beam electric heaters. It was $60 so I got one. I'll try it out, see if it does the trick. What is nice is you can actually aim it to where you're working, and it heats the air everywhere too on thermostat.

I really like the looks of those electric ones you guys have pointed out, might be a way to go, but the cost of electricity may be an issue. I've been thinking of running natural gas that way, it may be the way to go for the long run. Anyone have some suggestions for natural gas heater style/type/brand?

[Doogie S]

volkdent,

It all depends upon how much heat (BTU's) you need. (How warm you want it in your Shop and how cold it gets outside)

And of course, how deep your pockets are...

The tube heaters (gas or electric) are the most expensive option for equipment, but have the least operating costs.

The unit heaters (the little ones hanging from the ceiling and sit in the corner) are a lot cheaper, but use more gas to heat the space.

Anything electric is the most economical for the equipment, but you pay a premium for the electricity.

I would talk it over with a furnace supplier / installer in your area. I'm sure they can provide you with a better recommendation that I can from the forums.


Doug

PS: When I re-poured my garage pad at my old house, I installed tubing in the floor to provide heat, but never got around to hooking it up... Oh well

[Scotts73SB]

Better hurry.. Wednesday night its supposed to be 45 with a low of ....26!!

p.s. this is all in farenheit which is pretty darn cold for nor cal in case you east coast or overseas folks are stuck in the single digits

[petevw]

Originally Posted by Bullyboy

Got one of those above my bench, love it. All the tools parts you are working underneath on stay warm!