1500watt heater / 480 sq ft

[Rt jam]

I just insulated, vapour barriered and drywalled my 20 x 24 garage with 9 ' walls.

Next step is mud, primer and paint.

The mud say minimum 13 deg C. or 55F

Do you think a 120 volt, 1500 watt heater will keep it warm enough for a couple days if it's close to freezing outside?

 

[The Cobbler]

might. try it overnight & see
also a fan blowing will help to dry the paint & mud to, the temperature is not that critical , as long as it doesn't freeze

 

[SGKent]

1500 watt is equal to a hand hair dryer on high. I'd wait on the drywall work. It takes a long time to dry under 60F - 70F. If it is 25F outside a hair dryer should keep it above freezing but it won't raise the temp much.

Articles online say that 1500 watts is 5100 BTU. IMHO you would need 2 to 3 of those to keep it at a set temp like 70F. That would also require a separate circuit and breaker for each. If you can get 2 or 3 and get a tiny bit of air passing thru to get rid of the humidity then it will dry reasonably well if you do knockdown or something like that. If you are only taping that will generate less humidity.

 

[couch67]

Like Cobbler I'd fire it up and see what it does after a day or two of running first. Assuming the garage is cold now it will take some time to get everything warmed up. The heater will likely have a thermal cutoff to prevent it from getting too hot, so it will cycle often even while the garage is getting up to temperature.

If you are in a hurry I'd look into borrowing an extra heater.

How long before you see warmer temperatures?

 

[Rt jam]

Ya, that's the problem. I am in a hurry, all my **** is outside in the driveway and I have a couple days off.

 

[lolaetype]

Attached or detached? My attached garage is 20X20 with a 12 foot ceiling; insulated and insulated doors. When the temperature is near freezing 3 1,500 watt heaters get it into the mid 60's, then just two are needed to maintain that temp.

 

[pbon]

Buy a couple more just in case and return them if you don’t need them.

 

[cvairwerks]

I ran a 1500 watt milk house heater in my garage for a number of years for our outside animals. It basically ran close to 24/7 for a couple of weeks at a time. It raised the garage temp about 7-10 degrees over outside temps here in North Texas. Garage faces north and 3 walls and the ceiling are insulated. North wall isn’t insulated, and has an open 4”x6” access port at ground level.

Changed to a 14k BTU wall unit for heat last winter. Runs less and keeps the garage at 67 with ease and less energy use.

 

[Joemctag]

It can take a really long time for drywall mud to dry enough to re-coat when it’s cold. There is something called setting-type, comes in bags and you mix what you can use in a certain time. Professionals use it, especially bedding in the tape, so they can re-coat in a few hours. Never used it for finish coats, but understand that now they have some that can be easily sanded. It sets like cement does, not by drying out. Yes, it’s messy to mix, but I think it’s what you want. Think you can use it in low temps. All different setting times available. Think I’ve used the 45-minute. Consider getting a good taper to do it. The name of the game is to keep sanding to a minimum. If you do it yourself, by the time you finish, you’ll have learned a lot, hopefully got satisfaction rather than aggravation. Good luck!

 

[B.C.Biker]

If it were me I'd just rent the largest heater the circuts and or extention cords from the power source can handle. Small price to pay to get it done in the time frame you have.
If there wasn't enough electricity then rent a propane torpedo heater to get it up to temperature then use the electric heater to maintain the heat while doing the job and drying. Propane can ad a lot of moisture.

 

[casmurbax]

Are you working out of the trunk of that GN?

What are your temperatures during the day? If it is warm enough you could use quick dry mud.

 

[TractorJeff]

I heated my 30 feet by 32 feet (R19) by 12 feet (R38) with a torpedo up to about 70 degrees F all day, then turned on a 1500 watt heater in the center under the ceiling fan. Next morning it was 0 degrees F outside, inside it was 34 degrees F. It will hold that temp but never got higher!

 

[themiller]

Buy a couple more just in case ...

This.

Run two extension cords from the house if you only have one circuit.

4500w will likely be just enough.

1500w will not.

I would probably get 5. Heaters are useful, always end up needing them later anyway...

 

[The Cobbler]

running heaters on extension cords is a bad idea.

 

[Rt jam]

I have 2 1500 watt heaters and they were enough heat to maintain 14 deg Celcius in the garage when it was -5 outside. I'm sure that will jack up the electrical bill this month.

Did some sanding and applied another coat of plaster today. It is supposed to be warmer out and planning on a final sand tomorrow.

Casmurbax, the GN trunk has been a handy storage area, lots of room in there.

 

[mike93lx]

running heaters on extension cords is a bad idea.

Broad generalizations are a bad idea

 

[Ak Jim]

You can also use a dehumidifier to dry the air so the mud will dry faster, plus it will give off a little more heat also.

 

[Jeepster04]

Two 1500 watt heaters have always brought my 24x24 garage up to 50F. Normally doesnt get colder than teens outside. R13 walls, probably r6 16’ garage door, and r13 in the attic.

 

[Lassen Forge]

My "anti-freeze" winter heater in the shop is a 1500 watt tall reciprocating lasko with a fan and it will keep my fairly open beam shop above freezing. I wouldn't call it "warm" but it's not "frozen" either.