Heat Garage - Occasional use

[ddurrett896]

1,000 sqft garage that I'd like to heat once, maybe twice during the winter when we have parties. Anyone have a recommendation?

Walls and ceiling are insulated.

 

[WisJim]

How well insulated is the building? Virginia is pretty mild, if that's where it is, so maybe just some electric space heaters would work. That's what I use in much colder Wisconsin, but my shop/garage is very well insulated and sealed.

 

[Jackfre]

This is tough. 1000 sq ft is quite a lot to heat occasionally. I’d try the rental outfits and see what they have.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Insulated ?

NG or LP available ?

240V or just 120V ?

 

[4x4Pete]

Portable propane salamander.

 

[dougf]

Two cheap propane heaters to bring it up to temp and a bigger 240v electric to maintain would be my route.

 

[wssix99]

Get construction heaters. They run on NG or LP and you can rent them from any reputable tool rental. (Although they are in short supply during cold snaps in the winter....)

Torpedo heaters point the heat at one area. For heating up the entire room, you will want convection style heaters:

 

[dcg9381]

Portable propane salamander.

This is what I use to supplement my low-performance heat pump. . Ventless 20k-30k BTU. They're under $300.

 

[manwithtools]

If the garage is not well insulated and not air tight, a couple (2-4) of patio heaters might be enough to make things comfortable for you. Bonus is the patio heaters could also be used on the "patio".

 

[Firebrick43]

Be aware if using a propane salamander or construction heater you have to have a window or door cracked open as they put out CO

A ventless with a catalyst like a Mr buddy heater is a much better and safer solution but I would still get a CO alarm or monitor

 

[theoldwizard1]

1,000 sqft garage that I'd like to heat once, maybe twice during the winter when we have parties. Anyone have a recommendation?

I have a typical 20x20, uninsulated garage. 2 dual burner BBQ tank heaters will make it "reasonable" down to about 20F. Below that, or if the wind is blowing hard, you still need a winter coat.

 

[Shiftless]

Be aware if using a propane salamander or construction heater you have to have a window or door cracked open as they put out CO

Another problem with those, especially if you are using them for a party, is that they are very noisy. I have used mine while doing construction but I wouldn’t consider it if I was setting up for a party.

 

[PoorUB]

I can not do a gas or kerosene heater at all. For some reason the fumes from a non-vented heater get to me and I know other people don't like to be around them either.

1,000 sqft garage that I'd like to heat once, maybe twice during the winter when we have parties. Anyone have a recommendation?

1,000 square foot, for once or twice a year? Do you have a 240 electrical outlet in the garage? Dryer outlet? A 5k electric heater is probably the least expensive.

 

[tarmy]

This…this one propane and works great…

 

[zendriver]

If I didn’t have 240 V, I’d have it wired in and use something like this

https://www.northerntool.com/products/keebar-10-000w-digital-electric-overhead-garage-heater-240v-34-120-btu-model-hs12100-08-5212125?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Heaters%20%26%20Stoves%20%2B%20Fireplaces%20%3E%20Electric%20Heaters%20%3E%20Overhead%20Electric%20Garage%20Heaters&utm_campaign=Keebar&utm_content=5212125&ogmap=SHP%7CPLA%7CGOOG%7CSTND%7Cm%7CSITEWIDE%7CINTRADE%7C%7Bcampaign_name%7D%7C%7Badgroup%7D%7C%7C857740797%7C42214667263&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADpPfbOCEGhtdM4zLlaomVUtQii_q&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3sq6BhD2ARIsAJ8MRwXenBJbdZFgoIqida7192Hg8tyZnBIYb6HEdmlADyYzXeZ-efZYy-UaAj9MEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#hotbar-description

 

[racecougar]

Agreed on not using a non-vented NG/propane/kerosene heater. Besides the noise, smell, potential for CO, and increased humidity, they're also reducing O2 in the room.

 

[Kaizen]

I'd be going with Zendrivers recomendation or other electric heater. Something like this can live twice a year and be ready next time with no thought.

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[Youngandfree]

How well insulated is the building? Virginia is pretty mild, if that's where it is, so maybe just some electric space heaters would work. That's what I use in much colder Wisconsin, but my shop/garage is very well insulated and sealed.

It's currently 23 degrees in VA. It's definitely not Wisconsin cold but not what I would call "pretty mild."

 

[larry4406]

It's currently 23 degrees in VA. It's definitely not Wisconsin cold but not what I would call "pretty mild."

Heat wave!

Its 18 here now in Warrenton VA!

I have a Fahrenheat 7500W heater mounted in the corner of my attached 22x28' garage (616 SF) with 9' ceiling. Garage has one 28' wall common with the house. Well insulated ceiling, insulated 16x7 door, 2 windows, and 2 walls are not insulated.

It does a good job of heating the space and the fan has a good throw distance to it. I have been able to get it into the 70's if needed.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

2,600sq feet.
Well insulated.
Plan to keep it at 45-50 degrees and then turn it up when Im out there.
I am going with an infrared tube heater.

 

[djbmw]

My shop is 1500 sq/ft and in the winter it can drop down to -40F outside (but only for a week... generally -25F is more typical).

I first use a 125,000 btu propane torpedo heater to take the chill out of the air and bring the temp into the positives which only takes 10 min... then i fire up two 5,000 watt electric heaters AND light a fire in the shop's wood burning stove. After 1.5 hrs it will be a consistent 60F or so.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Heat wave!

Its 18 here now in Warrenton VA!

I have a Fahrenheat 7500W heater mounted in the corner of my attached 22x28' garage (616 SF) with 9' ceiling. Garage has one 28' wall common with the house. Well insulated ceiling, insulated 16x7 door, 2 windows, and 2 walls are not insulated.

It does a good job of heating the space and the fan has a good throw distance to it. I have been able to get it into the 70's if needed.

If the OP has 240vac available, I think this is the best choice. Electric unit heaters are fairly inexpensive to buy and install, and for the limited amount of use planned the additional cost for electricity is not going to be an issue.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

If it's insulated, a 7500 watt electric heater would be ideal and inexpensive. I heat my 600 sq ft garage with one on the 5000 watt setting most of the time, does just fine.

 

[Innovate1]

I had a similar size uninsulated garage with a former house. Previous owners hung a cheap gas furnace with vent pipe. I could turn it on and have it warm in about 20 minutes. Was great for occasional work.

 

[larry4406]

If the OP has 240vac available, I think this is the best choice. Electric unit heaters are fairly inexpensive to buy and install, and for the limited amount of use planned the additional cost for electricity is not going to be an issue.

If it's insulated, a 7500 watt electric heater would be ideal and inexpensive. I heat my 600 sq ft garage with one on the 5000 watt setting most of the time, does just fine.

Agree on the need for 240V to run one of these. In my case, the panel is in the garage so it was easy.

For me, it was the easiest solution. Did not have propane service at that time and did not want to deal with venting and combustion air via a sealed unit in the garage, let alone a gas source at the time.

 

[Kaizen]

My shop is 1500 sq/ft and in the winter it can drop down to -40F outside (but only for a week... generally -25F is more typical).

I first use a 125,000 btu propane torpedo heater to take the chill out of the air and bring the temp into the positives which only takes 10 min... then i fire up two 5,000 watt electric heaters AND light a fire in the shop's wood burning stove. After 1.5 hrs it will be a consistent 60F or so.

and here i was just crying it was too cold to go out and wrench at 22F. Ya'll are a different breed up there.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Heat wave!

Its 18 here now in Warrenton VA!

I have a Fahrenheat 7500W heater mounted in the corner of my attached 22x28' garage (616 SF) with 9' ceiling. Garage has one 28' wall common with the house. Well insulated ceiling, insulated 16x7 door, 2 windows, and 2 walls are not insulated.

It does a good job of heating the space and the fan has a good throw distance to it. I have been able to get it into the 70's if needed.

Kind of surprised that you're in the trades and haven't insulated those 2 walls. I figured you'd have some access to left over material to snag before it hits the dumpster.

 

[larry4406]

Kind of surprised that you're in the trades and haven't insulated those 2 walls. I figured you'd have some access to left over material to snag before it hits the dumpster.

It's "on the list" of things to do.

Need to tear out drywall on the 2 walls, add wiring while there, then build back. This of course requires proper access that I don't have now.