Heat for Garage.

[mscher]

Dream garage in process (3 car), so now obsessing over heating (and maybe a/c).

Wood stove and waste oil furnace out ( no easy access to wood and cost/maintenance)

Down to forced air gas furnace (propane), electric spacer heater, or maybe heat pump system. Garage will likely NOT be heated/cooled daily, just dependent on current need/projects. Just needs to heat fairly quick and be able to maintain comfort temps.

Using the 1 gal propane= 27kwh electric, figures my electrical, to equal $1.70/gal propane, not figuring in the 81% (or so) gas vs 100% electric efficiency.

Electric will be fairly easy to install, plus no hassles with propane tank costs and refilling issues. Unit costs are similar.

What am I missing? I always hear electric heat is more expensive, but our rates are low and propane is about 1.70 (at least now)

How about a real heat pump?

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Heat for Garage.

Just something to think about, on a normal winter day, my two car insulated takes 150,000 btu to bring from 30 (lowest it gets) to 68 degrees within half an hour.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Heat for Garage.

How about a kerosene turbo style heater? The kind that looks like a long cylinder sitting on top of a tank--and with a big electric blower.

A forced air heat pump would work for you only if you were around Evansville-Vincennes. Chicagoland is simply too cold for any kind of heat pump.

If in the Southern ILL, a PTAC heat pump system would work if it had an optional set of heating coils. They're used in hotels, but large BTU units are also available. They work great in single large rooms, as no sheet metal work is required. And they're relatively cheap items if bought on the internet.

 

[mscher]

Re: Heat for Garage.

How about a kerosene turbo style heater? The kind that looks like a long cylinder sitting on top of a tank--and with a big electric blower.

A forced air heat pump would work for you only if you were around Evansville-Vincennes. Chicagoland is simply too cold for any kind of heat pump.

If in the Southern ILL, a PTAC heat pump system would work if it had an optional set of heating coils. They're used in hotels, but large BTU units are also available. They work great in single large rooms, as no sheet metal work is required. And they're relatively cheap items if bought on the internet.

Considered one, plus I already have one that is propane powered, which puts out the heat, but does not have thermostat capabilities and is very noisy.

I'll look at the PTAC

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Heat for Garage.

How often do you have power outages?

 

[leesumm]

Re: Heat for Garage.

Have you considered a pellet stove? Most or some load up to 150 lbs pellets at 4$ a bag ( I think 50 lb bags) initial cost is considerable for a pellet stove but most have a blower and efficient . A friend has one in his 2 car 40 x 40 garage plus workshop. At temps around 0 its very warm in there almost too warm. Myself I heat with wood in Arkansas and considering a pellet stove for a replacement to the 40 + year old wood burner that I use now . At 65 its getting very hard to cut and split wood for a season of cold. Pellets sound a lot more appealing to propane for heat .

 

[colbyt]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I think it really depends on how often you want to heat it and for what purpose. I personally I would never install anything. I would use some temporary source. You may desire to heat it more often than the few times per year I might.

One thing you did not mention is electric, fan forced wall heaters. My grandparents actually used two of these as the primary heat source in a small home. The won't have the instant warmth of propane but may well be cheaper and safer to operate depending on what you are doing out there. Here at about 7 cents per KWH electric is far cheaper than propane.

 

[captmello]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I've heated a few garages. Currently I've got a 2.5 car, 26 x 28. I'm heating it with an electric, 240v, portable heater. The garage is pretty well insulated, with insulated doors, etc.

Search Results for "240 volt heater" at Menards

That is the easiest way I could find, and cheapest. It is not strong enough to heat up the garage in half an hour. I just keep it at about 50-55 deg and I can do anything I need to in a sweatshirt. And it keeps cars warm and snow free in the winter. My only alternative would be to trench in Natural gas from the house, 25ft, and buy a ceiling hung gas furnace...

Which is what I did in my last garage. I didn't need to trench, but I ran a gas line to a ceiling mounted furnace,

MHU80NG - 80,000BTU/Hr.(Natural Gas) at Menards
$30 propane conversion.

That heater will heat your garage up fast but burn a lot of propane doing it...But it doesn't take up any space in your shop. They are loud, however.

If you havent poured the floor yet, you could put in rediant flooring coils, and heat it with an electric hot water heater. Just keep it at 50. 100% efficient but takes up the space of the hot water heater. Clearly, not good for quick warm ups, but very comfy, and quiet.

Sorry no advice on the a/c, that's a luxury item:joyous:. Window a/c i suppose.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I have a Modine Hot Dawg propane heater mounted on the ceiling in the corner of my 2 stall.........

 

[rbh]

Re: Heat for Garage.

While in slab heating may not be your thing, install the pipe in the slab anyways just in case.

 

[arks]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I'll throw in my 2 cents here. I used to run a kerosene torpedo heater but it was VERY noisy and stunk. Not to mention the lack of temperature regulation and possible safety issues. I needed to find a better way.

My garage is 25x25 and attached to the house, so I ran a new gas line from the basement and some double-wall vent pipe thru the roof to a natural gas unit heater very similar to captmello's. It's controlled by an old mercury t-stat and will heat the whole garage up in 10 minutes.

When I'm not foolin' around in the garage I have the t-stat set to maintain 45 degrees because I have water in the garage and the attic above holds stuff I don't want to freeze.

So far 9 years and I LOVE it! The heater is the tan box hangin' next to the I beam:

 

[mscher]

Re: Heat for Garage.

How often do you have power outages?

Rarely and they never last more than an hour or two.

 

[mscher]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I've heated a few garages. Currently I've got a 2.5 car, 26 x 28. I'm heating it with an electric, 240v, portable heater. The garage is pretty well insulated, with insulated doors, etc.

Search Results for "240 volt heater" at Menards

That is the easiest way I could find, and cheapest. It is not strong enough to heat up the garage in half an hour. I just keep it at about 50-55 deg and I can do anything I need to in a sweatshirt. And it keeps cars warm and snow free in the winter. My only alternative would be to trench in Natural gas from the house, 25ft, and buy a ceiling hung gas furnace...

Which is what I did in my last garage. I didn't need to trench, but I ran a gas line to a ceiling mounted furnace,

MHU80NG - 80,000BTU/Hr.(Natural Gas) at Menards
$30 propane conversion.

That heater will heat your garage up fast but burn a lot of propane doing it...But it doesn't take up any space in your shop. They are loud, however.

If you havent poured the floor yet, you could put in rediant flooring coils, and heat it with an electric hot water heater. Just keep it at 50. 100% efficient but takes up the space of the hot water heater. Clearly, not good for quick warm ups, but very comfy, and quiet.

Sorry no advice on the a/c, that's a luxury item:joyous:. Window a/c i suppose.

I'm considering a one of those Mr. heaters at 45k btu's, Your model is runs loud? would k45k btu be too small?

The concrete floor is already installed by the previous owner (thankfully $$$).

 

[captmello]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I'm considering a one of those Mr. heaters at 45k btu's, Your model is runs loud? would k45k btu be too small?

The concrete floor is already installed by the previous owner (thankfully $$$).

Yes, it was loud, but not terrible. If you have a forced air furnace in your house, go stand next to it. Its about twice that loud.

Depending on how well insulated your garage is, it may be enough for a 3 car garage. Its colder up here in MN, so I would go with a bigger one. Many of those heaters can be vented out the wall with no vertical chimney which worked well in my case.

 

[mscher]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I'll throw in my 2 cents here. I used to run a kerosene torpedo heater but it was VERY noisy and stunk. Not to mention the lack of temperature regulation and possible safety issues. I needed to find a better way.

My garage is 25x25 and attached to the house, so I ran a new gas line from the basement and some double-wall vent pipe thru the roof to a natural gas unit heater very similar to captmello's. It's controlled by an old mercury t-stat and will heat the whole garage up in 10 minutes.

When I'm not foolin' around in the garage I have the t-stat set to maintain 45 degrees because I have water in the garage and the attic above holds stuff I don't want to freeze.

So far 9 years and I LOVE it! The heater is the tan box hangin' next to the I beam:

That looks like it could definitively warm things up quick. I only have 8' height, so the low profile models is what probably works best in the garage.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I would go with a "real heater" of some sort ... Heat pump or gas forced air. My house had a 70k BTU apartment furnace in a 22 x 28 two stall when we moved in. I added a 12 x 36 addition and have no problems keeping it over 60 if I desire, but normally leave it at 53. Mine is all well insulated ... Doors, ceiling, walls...and I'm sure that helps. IMO if you go small, you'll just regret it later. I've thought of what to do when I need to replace and enjoy the conversation ... I'm in central IL so I'm curious to what you decide and how it works.

 

[smclear]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I've heated a few garages. Currently I've got a 2.5 car, 26 x 28. I'm heating it with an electric, 240v, portable heater. The garage is pretty well insulated, with insulated doors, etc.

Search Results for "240 volt heater" at Menards

That is the easiest way I could find, and cheapest. It is not strong enough to heat up the garage in half an hour. I just keep it at about 50-55 deg and I can do anything I need to in a sweatshirt. And it keeps cars warm and snow free in the winter. My only alternative would be to trench in Natural gas from the house, 25ft, and buy a ceiling hung gas furnace...

Which is what I did in my last garage. I didn't need to trench, but I ran a gas line to a ceiling mounted furnace,

MHU80NG - 80,000BTU/Hr.(Natural Gas) at Menards
$30 propane conversion.

That heater will heat your garage up fast but burn a lot of propane doing it...But it doesn't take up any space in your shop. They are loud, however.

If you havent poured the floor yet, you could put in rediant flooring coils, and heat it with an electric hot water heater. Just keep it at 50. 100% efficient but takes up the space of the hot water heater. Clearly, not good for quick warm ups, but very comfy, and quiet.

Sorry no advice on the a/c, that's a luxury item:joyous:. Window a/c i suppose.

The Big Max heaters are awesome and work quite well. (personal exp.) But shop around if you decide to go that route. Menard's is expensive. Big Maxx? Propane Garage/Workshop Heater ? 80,000 BTU, Model# MHU80LP | Propane Garage Heaters| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Heat for Garage.

Hot water heat in floor can be done for several hundred and great way to heat

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Heat for Garage.

My setup is similar to arks. Mine is a 38,500 BTU unit from Empire. Heats the 26 x 26 shop just fine.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Heat for Garage.

I put a 5K electric in my single attached. I am so glad I went electric - safe (no flame), easy - no venting, and whisper quiet.

but it depends where your panel is and what is available in your panel. Probably want 10kw for 3 car garage

cool garage heat calculator online:
Garage Heater Calculator