High efficiency heater recommendation

[RalphD]

I am looking to install a high efficiency propane heater in my garage. The size of the garage is 30’ x 40’ and 11’ high. I will need to vent out the side due to the usage of the floor space above. I like the idea of directly venting out the side of the garage with a PVC pipe. Does anyone have experience with high efficiency heaters, and can you recommend a good brand / model that is reasonably priced?
Thanks!

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

High efficiency and PVC vent inply condensing gas-fired appliances. There are few such appliances for as space as small (more correctly a small load) because the technology is expensive and ROI low.

I would consider a air to air minisplit for efficient heating and cooling all in one. I would have radiant floor if money allowed, but the mini is a bargain.

 

[jlckmj]

If you are talking a conventional high efficiency home type furnace in your garage there is one issue that you should consider if you live in a cold climate. If you are not going to leave the heat on all the time you may (will) have a problem with it freezing up.

The high efficiency units pull the moisture out of the air and when I would turn it off the moisture that it was pulling out of the air would freeze up in the lines preventing it from firing up the next time I needed to use it.

I ended up putting that furnace in my house, and taking the older one from the house and put it into the shop to end the problem.

Jim

 

[Stuart in MN]

Here's one high efficiency unit heater: http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/modine-effinity-unit-heater/garage-residential-heaters However, it's quite a bit more expensive than a regular unit heater of equivalent size. You can get regular unit heaters with sidewall exhausts although they aren't PVC.

 

[502hack]

High efficiency and PVC vent inply condensing gas-fired appliances. There are few such appliances for as space as small (more correctly a small load) because the technology is expensive and ROI low.

I would consider a air to air minisplit for efficient heating and cooling all in one. I would have radiant floor if money allowed, but the mini is a bargain.

+1 on the ductless split.

 

[dave67fd]

Some of the favorites of choice are the Mr. Heater Big Maxx and the Modine Hot Dawgs.

They typically run 80+ % efficent. The Mr. Heater has 45k and 75k BTU units and the Modines go up to 125k.

Their both constructed pretty much the same. You can't use PVC venting. Vent Kits are availble seperately or you can piece together what you need.

If your thinking of installing it yourself, first check all your local/state codes. Some localities won't let you. Permits are typically required. Download their PDF manuals and read up on their installations and requirements.

My firedept has to inspect mine when im done and they tell you it must meet NFPA58.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/category/garage-residential-heaters

http://www.gas-space-heater.com/modine-hot-dawg.html


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200316365_200316365

 

[Dragster Racer]

What about a radient tube heater hanging from the ceiling? They claim much lower gas usage.

 

[wiz561]

I was looking at the same thing. I have a high efficiency house furnace that's vented with PVC, and I thought it would be a lot easier and safer than putting a thimble and everything else in.

I want to say I found that Reznor made one that you can vent with PVC, but it costs a LOT more money. When I say a lot more, I want to say like twice as much as an internal combustion heater.

If you find one other than the reznor one, please let us know!