Hi guys - I have been lurking on this site for quite a while now. I need some help. 36X50 attached garage 9' ceilings. Good insulation. What heat should I use. I get a reduced electric rate through the winter months but I am not sure I can find an electric heater to heat that large of a space. I would like to keep the garage 40 degrees or so when not in use and be able to to get to 60 fairly quickly. With cost always a factor, what do y'all recommend? I live in Iowa so it gets pretty cold! Thanks.
Newbie here - Need recomendation for heater (large garage)
- Thread starter mack4k
- Start date
rickairmedic
Well-known member
Mack first off welcome to The Garage Journal . Ok now that we have that out of the way my first question would be how is the garage insulated and how about the doors are they insulated or not . I would say if you wanted to go electric 3 Dayton G73's should keep your garage 40* no problem although they are not going to go from 40* - 60* quickly. For quick recovery natural gas or propane are going to be your best options again all depending on insulation.
Rick
Rick
Thanks for the welcome. R13 in walls, around R25 in ceiling (blown) garage door is insulated. I like the looks of the electric heaters and I agree that 3 would probably do it but will my meter run non stop? Even with my reduced rate (around 3.5 cents / kwh). I do own a new 170,000 btu propane heater but no propane tank yet or plumbing.
Your setup sound very similar to mine. I've got an attached garage about 40x50 with mostly 10ft ceilings except for one bay that is 12ft. It has R13/walls and about R30 in the ceiling.
Usually even without a heater the garage never drops below 35* and usually hovers around 40* most of the time.
I kept the furnace from our last house that we tore down and reused it as a garage heater. Just made a stand, made some custom louvers and viola!
It's a Goodman 70K in, 56K output 80% natural gas unit.
When the garage is 40*, it will take about 1 hr to raise it 10*.
Usually even without a heater the garage never drops below 35* and usually hovers around 40* most of the time.
I kept the furnace from our last house that we tore down and reused it as a garage heater. Just made a stand, made some custom louvers and viola!
It's a Goodman 70K in, 56K output 80% natural gas unit.
When the garage is 40*, it will take about 1 hr to raise it 10*.
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rickairmedic
Well-known member
Mack if that 170,000 BTU propane unit is an actual heater and not a torpedo type heater it would definately do the job. I figured somewhere between 120,000 and 150,000BTU's for decent recovery from 40* to a decent working temperature an hour to me is a little long to wait to go out and play in the garage " granted I am typing this and most other messages from my garage as its quieter out here " 
. I have a Dayton3VU36 currently for my garage heat ( baby brother of the G73's ) . My garage is only 21X24 with minimal insulation though .
Rick
. I have a Dayton3VU36 currently for my garage heat ( baby brother of the G73's ) . My garage is only 21X24 with minimal insulation though . Rick
Mack if that 170,000 BTU propane unit is an actual heater and not a torpedo type heater it would definately do the job. I figured somewhere between 120,000 and 150,000BTU's for decent recovery from 40* to a decent working temperature an hour to me is a little long to wait to go out and play in the garage " granted I am typing this and most other messages from my garage as its quieter out here "
Rick
An hour was when outside temp was around 10* F. Plus 50* is decent working temp for me.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I have a Hamilton hanging furnace in my garage (28x36) that is 45,000 BTU's and I keep my garage at 52 when I am not in there and kick it up to 65 when I am. I think I paid something like $450 for the furnace. I have a 120 gallon propane tank out back. R13 in the walls and R30 in the ceiling. It does a great job of keeping the area warm. Depending on how much I am out there a tank of propane will last me approximately 2+ months