Heat in my garage finally

[smalltown]

Its been a long time coming I mean a really long time.
It's a Sterling 60K unit running on propane.

The Gas techs showed up yesterday to run the gas lines, I asked if they were going to run iron pipe or simply copper. They had intended on running copper in a ribbed plastic "sleeve". The pipe would be close to my proposed workbench so I asked if they would instead install iron pipe. They drove back to the shop, and returned with the parts and pieces. I think they did a great job, and yes I asked about the drip leg, and the changing direction of the gas flow (something I learned here). They also installed a union fitting that should make any future changes much easier.

I also took the forum advice, and installed a shut off switch on the rear of the heater for service. I think they appreciated the switch there. I also installed a second shut off near my entrance door for my own peace of mind.

I ran a separate 120 Volt line just for the heater per forum advice.

It's 22 Deg F. outside right now and dropping fast, but 52 Deg F. in the garage. I am slowly lowering the temporary placed thermostat to find the point where I will idle my garage heat at 50 Degs. per the manufacturer.

As you can see in the photos I did install a condensate drain as my particular piping must drain backward toward the heater, but in 24 hours of operation not one single drop of condensate has been seen. The drain is in a temporary position as an experiment to see the actual condensate volume. The techs thought the because my exhaust is ~5' 3" I might not see any condensate anyway.
Lastly they installed a 120 gallon propane tank at the rear of the garage.

So thanks to all for the forum advice I have received, and a special thanks to Spudland_Dave for his input, and photos he sent. Here are some photos of my install.

 

[Streetbu]

Nice clean install! Enjoy the heat!

 

[bwitt]

If you don't mind my asking, what did the propane tank cost? What does an exchange cost and/or do they refill it onsite?

 

[APEowner]

Very nice!

 

[p_mori7]

If you don't mind my asking, what did the propane tank cost? What does an exchange cost and/or do they refill it onsite?

Usually, the propane supplier comes and refills on site for tanks of that size. I have a similar one for my propane stove. If renting from the propane supplier, cost is about $100 per year or less depending on volume consumed (in my neck of the woods anyways).

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Nice clean install! Enjoy the heat!

I'll second that.

 

[SuperD]

Looks nice with the Cat lll stainless pipe, real nice install.

 

[smalltown]

Bwitt p_mori7 is correct the dealer will come to my home and fill the tank with a large hose from the truck. I don't think there is a rental fee on the tank. I get my first propane fill up tomorrow so I will know very soon.

Just in time: Saturday night -7 below with a wind chill of -29, but it will warm Sunday night to -9 with a wind chill of -25. Ouch!

 

[Richard Cranium]

120 gal tank, it sure looks small to me. But I am used to seeing horizontal tanks.
You will enjoy the heat. Enjoy

 

[D45]

How fast are you going to burn through that propane?

 

[nadogail]

Enjoy the heater in Good Health.

 

[James-W]

Great install! I leave my heat on at 50 degrees as well. When working on a project and I turn it up, the Hot Dawg heater warms the garage up to 70 degrees fairly quickly.

 

[bfarroo]

before I plumbed in natural gas to my heater I was running it on 100# propane tanks, I only used it when I was out there and tried to use it sparingly and would go through about 2 tanks a season. This was a 3 car attached garage so it usually stayed above 40 most of the time unless it got really cold out. I think you may go through the 120# tank faster than you want so I'd just keep an eye on it through the first tank. I also don't have a huge amount of insulation in my attic so I would loose heat faster if you have the typical R40 or so attic insulation.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

before I plumbed in natural gas to my heater I was running it on 100# propane tanks, I only used it when I was out there and tried to use it sparingly and would go through about 2 tanks a season. This was a 3 car attached garage so it usually stayed above 40 most of the time unless it got really cold out. I think you may go through the 120# tank faster than you want so I'd just keep an eye on it through the first tank. I also don't have a huge amount of insulation in my attic so I would loose heat faster if you have the typical R40 or so attic insulation.

He's got 120 GALLON, which I believe would be more like 400 lbs. ?

 

[bfarroo]

Good catch although the tank looks about the size I had although it could be an optical illusion.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Never seen a condensate drain attached to an exhaust pipe like that. Good exhaust flow and you won't get much condensate.

 

[vicegripbloodblister]

Looks good.........enjoy !!

 

[joel]

That is a REALLY nice installation!

How big is your garage? If you keep the temperature at 50 F, how much propane will you use?

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Very nice install. I have a 60K Modine in my garage - you will love it!

I kept mine set at 50 all winter, and kicked it up to 60 when I was working out there, and it cost me $350 to heat. Not bad, all things considered. Money well spent to have a warm shop, in my eyes.

 

[James-W]

Very nice install. I have a 60K Modine in my garage - you will love it!

I kept mine set at 50 all winter, and kicked it up to 60 when I was working out there, and it cost me $350 to heat. Not bad, all things considered. Money well spent to have a warm shop, in my eyes.

I have a Hot Dawg 60K natural gas heater in my garage and I keep the heat at 50 degrees unless working out there. This past Winter I didn't spend all that much time working out there. I usually have some projects that people drop off for me to do but this past Winter has been pretty quiet. It costs me about $20-$25 per month for heat in the Winter but we have separate gas meter so there is about a $10 per month meter charge. We get charged that even in the Summer when we are not using any natural gas. Even so, the cost to heat the garage is minimal on a yearly basis and it makes working out there so much nicer. Working in the cold ***** and to be quite honest, if I didn't have heat out there, I wouldn't be doing much of anything in the garage when it gets cold.

 

[smalltown]

My garage is 32 x 30 with a 10' ceiling. Just got my first delivery of propane a few weeks ago. They billed for 64.1 gallons. I've been running at ~53 deg. F.

Propane was $3.15 per gallon. Not certain the tank was full when the install occurred so don't think I can give a good price per month yet.

I need to replace a damaged garage door bottom section, and will install new weather stripping as I can see some light shining in on the lower sides on both doors.

I only have 3 1/2" of ceiling insulation I have plans to buy insulation from Home Depot, and blow it in with the machine they loan you free. Those 3 things should cut down the propane use quite a bit.

Even at 50 Deg. F wrenching is comfortable as I usually wear coveralls. Sure is nice to go inside the garage on a cold day, and be able to work. Like James-W said "I wouldn't being doing much of anything in the garage when it gets cold" Plus all the paints etc. get ruined if not brought back into the house basement.

As far a my condensate drain experiment since install on Feb 10 I have captured approximately 1 quart of water. So I figure during a regular winter I might see maybe ~1/2 gallon of water.

I can remember before the garage build replacing an exhaust system on my back with a gravel driveway -20 Deg F. below zero during the daytime. The only good thing was nothing was melting so I stayed dry. So yes I am loving the heat !!!!!!!!

 

[jkwilson]

I can remember before the garage build replacing an exhaust system on my back with a gravel driveway -20 Deg F. below zero during the daytime. The only good thing was nothing was melting so I stayed dry.

Sounds familiar. Had to replace a clutch cable on a car the weekend before starting a new job, and it was subzero. My ear froze to the driveway while I was screwing the nut on the long ferrule and when I moved it ripped a bunch of skin off. Had to go back under it three more times before I got it adjusted to where I could get it in a garage and on ramps.

 

[1953mercury]

Nice installation. More ceiling insulation will be the best money you can spend. I would shoot for 12" coverage. It will never be this cheap again, and the payback in fuel savings won't take long. Last year I paid $1.17 for LP, just got a flyer for $1.76 sale. Prices are heading backup, which was inevitable I guess. Mike