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20x20 Garage - Heat?

BuickBoy

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Feb 1, 2009
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145
Hi all,

I have a 20x20 attached garage that is completely uninsulated. It feels like the wind goes right through it when its cold.

I've considered a salamander or an upright kerosene heater. My only question, which is better?

Limited storage space, preferably something not requiring electricity.

Thanks!
 
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Steve in Mi

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Mar 13, 2007
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If he is truly a Buick Boy = Flint, Mi. (Buick City)

What does your salamander make heat from? Electricity, fuel oil, LP or ???

My only question, which is better?

Cost to purchase? Cost to operate? LP puts out a lot of water from the combustion process - do you need or want more water in the garage?
 
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ambenz

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Dec 12, 2010
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NW Chicago Suburbs
Sure..un-insulated garage and you need a tiny heater because you don't have space to store it in the summer!
You are not going to meet your critiria! :headscrat ...unless you insulate!

I have a natural gas 30,000 BTU Procom ventless convection heater in my insulated 660 Sq Ft garage and it works pretty good...if my garage was not insulated, it wouldn't do squat.
 
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OP
B

BuickBoy

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Feb 1, 2009
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If he is truly a Buick Boy = Flint, Mi. (Buick City)

What does your salamander make heat from? Electricity, fuel oil, LP or ???



Cost to purchase? Cost to operate? LP puts out a lot of water from the combustion process - do you need or want more water in the garage?
Well deducted, sir!

I'm in Holland. I'm a W-body enthusiast. Gained the name by being the only Buick owner in the local W-body community.

I have zero heat currently. Looking for something to bring the temp up to something comfortable, like 50*-60* during winter for a few hours at a time.

I considered natural gas, but my attached garage is at the front of the house, and as it isn't insulated, the reward may not be worth the cost (doing both obviously).

Thanks for the replies!
 

CNGsaves

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Sep 26, 2012
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KS and OK
Good to know you're in Holland, MI with uninsulated 20'x20' garage that you're trying to heat.

Update GJ Profile with your City / State so when this thread gets strung out you won't keep getting that same question over and over.

I'd recommend torpedo heater. Your call on kerosene or propane depending on what you have locally and the price. Only warm up garage while you're out there, as effectively you are heating the outdoors !! :D
 

hockey88fan

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Joined
May 25, 2011
Messages
428
Hi all,

I have a 20x20 attached garage that is completely uninsulated. It feels like the wind goes right through it when its cold.

I've considered a salamander or an upright kerosene heater. My only question, which is better?

Limited storage space, preferably something not requiring electricity.

Thanks!


An upright kerosene won't do squat in an uninsulated space, the torpedo you can atleast direct towards where you're working. Did you consider insulating your garage? Minimal cost and then you'd get away with the kero heater in that space.
 
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ebgb68

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May 4, 2012
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St Johns , Mi
The heater in the center of the picture ( Dont mind the mess ) heats my 30x40 with no problem. On low it would heat your garage in the coldest temps.
heater_zpsf2a45f1d.jpg
 

Hesketh

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Oct 21, 2011
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Scotland
My attached garage is the same size as yours, and has a 10ft high ceiling, walls are not insulated but are "dry-walled". There was a noticeable improvement in temp when I insulated the roof. So I would start with this first if you can.

I have a single radiator in there linked into the house central heating and it is sitting about 55F just now when it is around 33F outside. The garage door is insulated and has a good seal round the edges which rocks. Is there any way you could fit some seals to your door and help keep the weather outside?
 

Hghgrad

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Nov 26, 2012
Messages
539
Location
Detroit MI
I use a simple torpedo propane heater, it requires a single 120v outlet. 35,000-55,000 btu, and it heats up my uninsulated 25x30 to uncomfortable levels.

I'm using it in my 30x40 uninsulated barn that has sliding doors and is in the middle of the field. Wind blows through it like crazy and it was enough to work in a sweatshirt yesterday.

I've been eyeballing the larger radiant heater lately.
 

Skrutinizr

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Nov 2, 2014
Messages
8
If I may add another question to the thread- several mentions of moisture from some of the heaters suggested. If adding more moisture is a concern, what are the options that would lessen the additional moisture, if any?
 

nafterclifen

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Nov 22, 2014
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Location
Poconos, PA
For what it's worth...I have a 20x22 attached, un-insulated garage (except for the 2 garage doors, they are insulated) with an exit door, 2 windows and dry-walled ceiling. I needed to heat it for a party as the house just didn't have enough space for everyone.

I used an upright kerosene heater (23k BTU) and let me tell you, that thing threw the HEAT! When it was about 20 outside, it got up to about 60 degrees in about 2 hours. The actual day of the party, it was 40 degrees out and it got too hot in the garage! I had to turn it off before the party even started and then I used a 240v (4000w) electric heater to maintain the temperature. It worked great but when it was 20 degrees out, that electric heater would run ALOT and it was never as warm as the kerosene heater. Big difference.

Kerosene heaters are so common, it's likely that you someone you know already has one and they will let you borrow it. If not, you can probably find one slightly used for less than $100.

Burn the clear (expensive) kerosene in it and you barely smell it. The only thing I don't like is that it's either on or off, no in between. And when you light it or shut if off, you will likely see a puff of smoke and smell a strong kerosene odor for a bit, especially when the wick is dirty. I get around this by lighting it and shutting it off outside. It can be moved while it's on but just be careful.

As for moisture, I wouldn't worry about the added moisture from the kerosene heater in an un-insulated garage. If you ever do insulate the garage, then I would definitely consider a portable dehumidifier if you'll be using the heater on a daily basis.
 
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dave67fd

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Apr 25, 2011
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872
Location
Southern NH
If I may add another question to the thread- several mentions of moisture from some of the heaters suggested. If adding more moisture is a concern, what are the options that would lessen the additional moisture, if any?

The moisture is a result of the propane combustion process. You need to go to a "vented" heater to eliminate.
 

ryolse

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Joined
Jan 30, 2014
Messages
166
Location
Colorado
This is what's in my 20x23 garage. Takes about 15 minutes to warm it up from 50 to 70.

f24814c1cfa7992f2090ae75f059af65.jpg


4c930f22b70ca0667d1d480115a5c91b.jpg
 

WBSurfer

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Oct 23, 2014
Messages
21
The heater in the center of the picture ( Dont mind the mess ) heats my 30x40 with no problem. On low it would heat your garage in the coldest temps.
heater_zpsf2a45f1d.jpg

What is that heater? Make, model, where'd you get it?? That looks ideal for what I'm looking for.

I've been worried a bit about using any tank top heaters or any propane gas inside my garage as I wasn't sure how the carbon monoxide build up would occur.
But the electric one you have in the picture looks nice and if it heats that big *** garage it'll do the trick on my 25x25.

Thanks
 

Steve in Mi

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Mar 13, 2007
Messages
1,042
Location
Mid Michigan
Look again, that's a LP hose not a power cord. See how it ends at the tank!

Only electric heaters I see in the room are used for lighting.
 
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