Garage/Shop Heaters - a little NDR

Andrew L.

Andrew L.

Well-known member
Good morning all,

I am in search of a heat source for my fully insulated & finished 3 car garage (~900 sq ft).

2 primary uses are- thaw & dry the duck boat out overnight during hunting season & be able to comfortably work on projects in the garage during the winter (65 -70 degrees), this might occur on average 1 day per week.

My plan was to install a 45,000 BTU natural gas heater but the cost of installation has made me 2nd guess, $2,400 has been quoted by 3 different companies which includes the heating unit, permits, venting & whole the 9 yards.

Electric heaters are significantly cheaper but obviously more cost to power. However, I think it will take me quite some time to make up the $2,000 difference in energy costs.

I don't like the idea if propane simply because I am starved for space as it is, hate the idea of a 100 gallon tank taking up space in the corner.

Anyone with a similar situation using either of these options? Any advice appreciated. Thanks!
 
Think a propane unit is the way to go. Electric is very expensive here. I think fire code would keep the tank outside the garage.
I would set it on a timer, so you didn't forget to shut it down when you leave. A thermostat wired in parallel will work if you want to leave it on through the night to keep up the temp.
The space heaters [torpedo] are good, but I don't like the smell.
 
I second the propane. I would recommend a radiant tube type heater, if that would work for you. That's what I, and most of my friends have. They're very efficient to run, and comfortable to use. They heat objects, not air.

Jon
 
I use a propane but run on 20 pound BBQ tanks i use 4-5 a year in jersey but come summer the tank goes back near the grill and the heater stays. It's the wall type about 40,000 BTU. One thing i like is that its silent.
 
Assuming you mean a gas furnace? Or are you talking a hanging unit? Haven?t looked at them in a while but what about a ventless wall unit? The radiant tube heaters are nice too but that floor will stay cold. I used to work for heating cooling company and we used to take out older running furnaces and save them for temp heat on new construction, maybe see if anyone would sell you one? Try for a small down flow and you can have the heat blow along the floor, simple filter box on top and a vent through roof. Buuuut your not pulling permits


Tony
 
Check out the permit situation close, If you are working on your own property here the permit is not required. I have a non vented natural gas wall mount that does the job just fine. You already have the insultion which is a big part of staying warm
 
Natural gas is probably the cheapest operation. Is garage attached to your house and if so does your house heating system have enough extra capacity to heat it. Make sure what you heat w is covered by your insurance company.
 
Yes mine is a ventless wall unit tube type. The only down side i see is it takes about a hour to get my shop to 50 degrees from mid 30s my dad has a hanging 220 electric unit and it really put out the heat 20 minutes it seems to have shop warmed up. The question for electric is do you have panel space to add a 220 breaker as well that will really limit your options.
 
Check out the hanging Hot Dawg gas heaters, reasonable to purchase easy to hang and vent, all sizes perfect for what you looking for.
 
My father in law had a propane heater for his shop for a few years but he got tired of the costs.

He put in a central boiler which heats the house, shop, and gives them hot water. They are absolutely awesome. If you don?t mind a little work it will keep your shop toasty.

Other buddies have pot belly stoves in their shops. It is my job to get the shop heated to about 100 then start to get tired and go home for the night, lol.
 
You folks have never camped in a tent in cold weather...and tried to dry wet gear! That condensation on the interior tent walls is not simply a function of temperature differential when a propane heater is running inside. During deer season I have had to open up the tent and let sublimation do its thing prior breaking everything down to pack. Oh, in really cold weather bring an extra insulated cooler to put your water in to keep it from freezing...1

Propane produces more BTUs per unit volume than methane (natural gas), but is more expensive. It also produces twice the amount of water vapor at complete combustion rates in a direct flame heater. I assume you have a moisture barrier on the outside of the garage, under your exterior finish layer...

IF your garage is not attached, your insurance rates will not go up as much with a heat source in it.

As Tony stated, you should be able to do most of the installation of a blue flame methane burning wall unit that will heat you garage and then have it inspected by a professional for finalization. How thick is your ceiling insulation? Do you have an access hatch?
 
Thank you for the reply's everyone. A little surprised by the amount of folks used propane so maybe I need to go back to the drawing board here but I do want to heat the air floor to ceiling, thinking about paint & epoxy needing to set up properly.

I was leaning towards a Reznor unit that hung from the ceiling.

Older running furnace isn't a bad idea either that I had not thought of.

Most contractors so far have steered me away from a ventless heater as they have all seen the horrors of dry wall rot & mold. However, it is an extra $500 in parts & labor to install the vent. The home is only 2 years old & does have a vapor barrier above the drywall & I believe 12" of insulation, just going off my last guess of being up there during inspection. Maybe I am ok to if I simply use when needed & not always try to maintain the 50 degrees? Garage has stayed above freezing as it is without heat, granted we havent had prolonged cold days yet.

The garage is attached & I am told I am borderline on whether the furnace could heat the garage as well. I do have a vent right by the laundry room (butts up to the garage) I guess I could install a heating vent & see how it does? Worst case I close down that vent.

Despite me thinking the price is high I am on my 6th quote & all in the same ballpark of $2200-$2400 so perhaps I am just having a little sticker shock
 
Not sure where you are located Andrew, but here in Maryland I have a ductless mini-split heat pump installed in my shop. It functions as a heater or an AC unit and is very economical and quiet. The indoor unit attaches to the wall. The only potential issue would be dust I think. When I'm making sawdust, I turn the unit off and throw a piece of plastic over it.

Matt
 
How long do you plan on staying in your home? $2,400 over 24 years is not a lot. Keep in mind when you have a contractor doing all the work is sure makes the install easy. If you go with propane you always need to worry about having enough fuel. I would bite the bullet and get the heater installed by a pro.
 
Andrew L. said:
Most contractors so far have steered me away from a ventless heater as they have all seen the horrors of dry wall rot & mold. However, it is an extra $500 in parts & labor to install the vent.
Click to expand...

How much would mold remediation cost if there was a problem? my guess is more than that $500 you want to save now. Some things are worth gritting your teeth and paying for.
 
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