Radiant Tube Heater Advice Needed

[ahkim]

Hello Everyone,

I've read a bunch of posts and appreciate all the good info out there. I'm having a hard time deciding between 4 options – I’d really appreciate any insight you can offer.

1. Reverberray LS3 10-30N 30K BTU 10' Tube $1030+install.
2. SunStar from Northern Hydraulics 45K BTU $769+install.
3. Mr. Heater 45K BTU from Amazon for $972+install.
4. Modine Hot Dawg 45K BTU forced air heater $600+install.

Background info on the garage:

LOCATION: Minneapolis, MN

SIZE: 30x20=600 sq ft with 11' ceiling

PURPOSE: maintain 45-50 degrees temp for comfort; occasional work or play in the garage

INSULATION: Fully dry walled and insulated walls, garage doors are insulated; I'm going to blow in insulation over the ceiling soon. Attached garage so it has one wall shared with the home interior.

OTHER: We built the home this year and hope to live here for the next 20+ years so I'm willing to spend a bit more for a good heater. Floor has a built in drain.

Forced Air vs Radiant Tube?
In my previous garage, I had a Mr. Heater forced air unit and it did the job (but was really loud). I could do a Hot Dawg forced air heater but I’ve read a lot about the other benefits of radiant and wanted to confirm that I’d see the benefits in my garage application as well.

1. By aiming the radiant tube towards the ground, can I expect the floor to dry completely? The floor has been coated with RockSolid coating which should help.

2. The recovery time should be quicker – right?

3. Any other reasons to go radiant?

4. The downside to radiant is cost and size, is that it?

Radiant Heater Questions:

1. When I use the BTU calculator, it says I need around 35-40K BTUs. Is there a difference in output between forced air and radiant tube in output? What I’m wondering is, can a lesser radiant heater be equalivant to a stronger forced air?

2. It seems Reverberray is consider a premium brand so it’s a good unit. However, is 30K BTUs enough?

3. I’m not familiar with SunStar, and I believe that the Mr. Heater is a budget brand, but it has 45K BTU’s, is that a better option? Should I stay away from these units?

4. Lastly, looking at the drawing below, is there an ideal spot to place the radiant heater? A or B? I prefer A since I already have a bunch of Hyloft storage on the wall but I could move it if the best spot for the heater.

Photo of Option B: I would have to relocate one of the Hyloft units.

 

[dogdas]

I like a dry garage and tube heaters don't do that as well as a unit like the HotDawg. Yes tube heaters are quiet but are you teaching class in there or hitting bolts with an impact wrench? I have a 75K HD in my attached garage and I am installing another in my new 1050sf detached. The HD I have is on all winter set a 45 and I installed it back in maybe...2000 and it never had a problem.

 

[dogdas]

Oh yea, I have installed many tube heaters for a company I worked for in the past and I have never installed anything but Re-Verber-Ray. Very nice equipment.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I installed a Natural Gas, 80,000 BTU 30 foot Radiant Heat Tube in my 30 x 42 foot shop and love it!

I can walk out and adjust the thermostat to my liking and have immediate, quiet heat beaming on me.

It feels just like the sun beaming down on you in the morning...I don't regret going with this type heat at all.

It was pretty simple to install, relatively inexpensive, and easy to ventilate as well.

 

[Rockcam]

AHKIM:

I'm also in the market for a tube heater for my garage. Mine is 24w x 45 deep, so my capacity needs are a bit different. I'm in Michigan. My space has a cathedral ceiling, and I understand tube heaters will keep the heat near the floor, vs. a forced air unit that would put hot air 15 feet above my head. Sounds like a plan.

Not sure why dodgas is saying tube heaters won't dry your floor - they heat objects (like your concrete floor), which will dry the water, probably better than forced air.

I like the Re-Verber-Ray as well - they make a two stage unit as well, with up to 50K BTU, which can lower gas usage.

Where did you get the Re-Verber-Ray price? Not many online sellers. I got the name of the local distributer through the Detroit Radiant website, and called them. They gave me the name of three heating contractors that use their products, two of which I've already spoken with.

After I plan out the electrical, drywall, and vents are figured out, it's time to insulate and drywall - then install a tube heater.

Good luck in your search.

 

[bullnerd]

To the OP, I would present your situation directly to Detroit radiant. From what Ive read the sizing is very important with these to make them the most efficient.

To Vince, How did you calculate which model you went with? BTU,etc? What is you ceiling height? I am also interested and have a 3040.

 

[ahkim]

Rockcam - I talked with Blake. Let me know if you reach out to them.
http://www.intradiant.com/Products/Infra-Red/LS3-LD3_Series/ls3-ld3_series_buy.html

I'll try calling Detroit radiant direct and see if they can offer some advice.

Overall though, based on my layout and needs, does it seem like radiant is the way to go over forced air? Any other thoughts?

 

[frozen_bohemian]

How far away should the heaters be placed from vehicles?
Assuming a ceiling height of at least 11 feet will the heaters cause damage to a car in storage with a cover on it?

 

[Vincenthdfan]

To the OP, I would present your situation directly to Detroit radiant. From what Ive read the sizing is very important with these to make them the most efficient.

To Vince, How did you calculate which model you went with? BTU,etc? What is you ceiling height? I am also interested and have a 3040.

I talked with the sales person for literally 45-50 minutes regarding specifications on my pole barn.

He was super, super nice and helpful.

Asked square footage and height questions of course. What type of insulation to factor in projected heat loss, climate I live in, etc...

He also wanted to know if I wanted single stage or dual stage...I opted for dual stage.

I cannot express enough how helpful and courteous this gentleman was in arriving at my decision.

He also helped me pick the most advantageous shipping company to deal with as well.

http://www.infraredinfo.com/

Scott Workman is the gentleman I dealt with. He'll steer you straight.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

Here's a couple of links I saved to my favorites when I was shopping:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179915&highlight=radiant+tube+heater

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236234

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224078&highlight=radiant+tube

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50213

Lots of good reading and photos.

 

[bullnerd]

Great info, thanks Vince.

 

[mwmx54]

We use those detroits to heat an indoor tennis court at my work, it has 70 foot ceilings and 4 courts and it heats up quick and maintains temp very well. Even when a few arent working. Which is my job to fix.

 

[pmilin]

Can you pull fresh air from the attic area instead of cutting another hole in the building.

To the OP, Seems like the u-tube type is better since your gas and exhaust are at the same location. Otherwise you will have to move one or the other. Right?

 

[zgfiredude]

I do not have any personal experience with radiant.

I had a Hot Dawg in my last garage that I installed myself. My climate is similar to yours, and I was quite satisfied with the unit. I kept the garage at about 50 all the time (in order to keep the mass of the slab warm) and when I wanted to go out to work, I would just up the thermostat and in 10 minutes tops, it was warmed up to short sleeve temps.

It did not really impact the gas bill significantly, I did not notice any noise issues, and it worked flawlessly. I would go this route again when I need to.

 

[hover]

I have owned a Revereray u tube heater, it was excellent. I also had a fan forced Reznor in my last garage. I never liked the Reznor fan forced all that much. It was noisy, cycled much too often and it just didn't feel that comfortable. I am back to radiant tube heat and will stay with that. Quiet and warm, and doesn't cycle on and off every 10 minutes like the fan forced one.