How to heat my attached garage

[Noshbomb]

Hi guys,

I've been trying to figure out a safe and efficient way to heat my 1200 sq. foot attached garage (14' ceilings), and I'm going kind of nuts here. I ordered a high intensity infrared heater (80,000 BTU) and returned it after reading about the moisture output and stink it may put off, plus I could not meet the clearance specs it called out for in the manual. I've been looking at the BigMaxx 80,000 BTU heater from MR.HEATER, but have read some poor reviews on the circuit board etc.

Can any of you guys recommend the best way to approach this? Should I just go down to my local HVAC guy and see what he says?

What about just installing a regular furnace in my garage? It's all insulated besides the doors, but I plan on insulating them once I get heat out there.

I'm kind of lost here and appreciate any advice you may have.

Thanks!

 

[Noshbomb]

I forgot to add I have NG stubbed out in the rear corner of the garage.

 

[kenfath]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with a Mr. Heater/Big Maxx heater.

 

[Davefr]

No one can answer that question with such little info.

What/where's your climate?

What indoor temp are you trying to achieve?

What' the R value of your insulation?

With 14' ceilings most of the heat will go right up to the top. Some ceiling fans might help to bring the heat back down.

 

[24ModelTFord]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with a Mr. Heater/Big Maxx heater.

I agree with this. I put a big maxx heater in my garage last year and love it.

Garage is attached to the front of the house, with a bedroom that comes over top of part of it.

Nice and quiet too With your high ceilings, add a ceiling fan as well and you'll be all set.

 

[CNGsaves]

Welcome to GJ. You'll get best advice with proper information, like measurements, window sizes, man door size, garage door size, etc.

Big difference trying to "heat" garage in S Florida compared to N Canada so obviously your environmental temperature is important. Now would be good time to Update GJ Profile with your LOCATION.

I'd surface mount black pipe steel NG run over to your proposed mounting location of hanging heater. Keep pipe plenty BIG so you don't starve the heater of NG supply. Planning your installation spot for heater will depend on venting method (ie horizontal or vertical), so plan accordingly.

Here's a Ron Hazelton video of hanging heater installation for some FYI info.
http://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/how_to_install_a_gas_heater_for_a_garage

Lots of great heaters out there: Reznor, Modine Hot Dawg, Sterling Garage Guy, Mr Heater Big Maxx, etc.

Good luck, but install it properly and safely.

 

[Stee6043]

I use a 110,000 btu high intensity infrared in my 900 square foot garage. You won't find a more simple setup. I haven't ever had any issues with moisture nor "stink". But each application is unique I suppose.

 

[jvitez]

Yes, more information please.

What you plan to do in your garage: woodworkking, vehicle maintenance, vehicle parking/storage only? Where are you located, what temp do you want to maintain, do you want to keep it heated all winter or only intermittently when you're working/playing in there? Lots more details needed!

 

[MScott]

Now would be good time to Update GJ Profile with your LOCATION.

x2 (or 10)

Why would anyone post a question about heating and expect to get an intelligent answer without indicating a location???

 

[6768rogues]

I would use a hanging forced air furnace such as a Reznor, and put in the required venting system. It will be out of the way and will heat your space quickly and comfortably. The size depends on your climate and the building insulation package.

 

[Noshbomb]

Sorry for the late response, been gone all day. I am doing body work in the garage and had concerns about moisture on bare metal panels with infrared. I live in northern Utah so it gets pretty cold here. there's just 2 windows about 3'x4' and 1 man door. Garage doors are 12'x12' and 16'x8'. Walls are 6" thick so I believe it's R-19, Ceiling is R-30 with a room over it.

I wanted to use infrared because it wouldn't kick up dust while priming and painting panels, but I think a big open flame might be dangerous with all the fumes.

It sounds like big maxx might be the way to go to me, because if I'm priming, dirt doesn't matter that much as primer gets sanded anyway, and I don't think I'll be painting in the winter anyway.

I updated my profile with my location.

Thanks for your responses!

 

[CNGsaves]

If you are painting and sanding all the time, then I'd sure recommend SEPERATE COMBUSTION model of heater. It is much safer for your situation.

Unit draws in combustion air from the outside, rather than inside.

Couple examples:
. . . . Reznor UDAS models (the S is for seperate combustion)
. . . . Modine HDS models (the S is for seperate combustion)

 

[tgb]

Exactly what cng said, you want a separate combustion chamber so you don't blow yourself up and it keeps the burners and pilot cleaner also, bodyshops are hard on heating equipment.

 

[dave67fd]

The Big Maxx is a good heater. They did have some control board issues a couple of revisions back but have had great reviews since and they sell a ton of them. They also have excellent customer service compared to others. As others have said the Modine and Reznors are also a great heater. The Mr. Heaters are usually more cost effective. Northern Tool usually has some of the better pricing/delivery on them.

1200 sq/ft maybe a bit bordeline for the 80k but as long as your pretty tight and run a couple of ceiling fans you should be fine. My 75k heats my 1000+ just fine. But as mentioned may depend on how you wan't to heat.

The heater should face the area with the coldest air entry (service doors, windows etc..).

 

[trainer]

I've got an Empire DV-35 natural gas heater in my 28x28 detached garage. I've had it for 7 years and I'm very happy with it. I'm in nNorthern ontario, it gets very cold here.
It's sealed combustion, direct vent through the wall, uses outside air for combustion and it doesn't require electricity . Very simple and it has no electronics to screw up.

I keep my shop at 60 degrees all the time.

http://www.empirezoneheat.com/assets/EHS/brochures/DVWallFurnaces.pdf

 

[nlb7928]

Most economical way is leaving the door to the house open and put a fan there. If you're doing stuff part time, a small electric heater would probably take the chill off since it's insulated. Make sure there is no air infiltration around the doors.

Other than that, you'd spend some considerable money and the other suggestions have you covered.

 

[Chris Stapley]

I bought a wall mounted ,direct vented propane furnace with a circulating fan for a similar sized garage,also have the high ceilings ... Mine is only 22,000 BTU in Ontario and am very happy with my purchase too. Quiet,efficient and such a nice install,about 35" wide 28" tall and 8" deep,takes up no room at all and the vent,chimney only required an 8" hole through the wall...

 

[HD FLHX]

I have a 100k btu Modine Hot Dawg in my shop. Works well for me. I bought it from QC Supply

http://www.qcsupply.com/modine-hot-dawg-heater.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CNvmjLywxbsCFQbl7AodD1oA7g

 

[ripper70]

Ive got the 80k btu big maxx. My shop is 1200 sq ft and 16 ft to peak, i installed a few 3k cfm fans on 3 sides to push the air down if need be. It will be hooked up in the next couple of weeks and sure it will be plenty of heat. Ill keep you posted how it does.

 

[Noshbomb]

I really appreciate all of the good advice here! This forum rocks!

 

[hammlm]

I had (just moved, sniff sniff) an attached 1,200 s.f. garage with lower ceilings than yours. I super insulated it, high quality doors, etc. I had a 75K BTU Big Maxx. Worked awesome. On the coldest nights (0-10 degrees) it would run 4, maybe 5 times over night to keep it at my set point 59*.

I did not have seperated combustion. I did lose a control board, but they replaced it quickly and easiliy with one phone call. Took less than 10 minutes on the phone.

I would recommend a Big Maxx again.