Dr. Heater Infared DR966

[thr3squared]

I am looking for an economical heating solution in my detached garage. 25’x17’ (with 8’ ceiling). Fully insulated including the ceiling, standard garage door at one end and glass slider at the other. Detached from the house and no gas line is available.

I’m in northern CA so winters aren’t bad, but so I don’t need to wear a big coat and beanie to do work having heat would be great. I would only run this when I’m in the shop (maybe start up an hour before I intend to work).

I came across this style heater and was wondering if anyone here was familiar with it and what their experience was? I do have 240v outlet available. The one detail I don’t see in the description is the recommended square footage it’s capable of heating

Dr. Heater DR966 240-volt Hardwired Shop Garage Commercial Heater, 3000-watt/6000-watt, DR966 240V & Conntek 29139-180 15-Feet Locking Power Cord for Model L6-30P to Model SJTW 10/3, 30-Amp, 250-volt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMKZRGFM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JoshS]

I have one of these and it worked well to bring up the temperature in my attached 2 car garage even in could weather here. Also I've used it in my new 30x40 shop that I don't have the radiant heat finished in yet and was suspicious how well it worked with outside temps in the 40s. I think it will work well for you

 

[American Locomotive]

How often do you use your shop? How long do you stay in there? Do you need air conditioning too?

Electricity is very expensive in CA, and a minisplit may be more economical long term if you use the shop a lot.

 

[thr3squared]

How often do you use your shop? How long do you stay in there? Do you need air conditioning too?

Electricity is very expensive in CA, and a minisplit may be more economical long term if you use the shop a lot.

I use the shop a couple evenings during the week and I’m in and out of it most of the weekend. Longest stretch is a few hours at a time.

I did well the past two summers without AC. Between the garage door open and slider open it gets a great cross breeze.

 

[American Locomotive]

That's not too bad. At full power (6kw) it will cost you approximately $1.80/hr to run the heater in california.

A minisplit capable of generating 6kw of heat would run you about $2000, but only cost you maybe $0.45/hr to run.

 

[thr3squared]

That's not too bad. At full power (6kw) it will cost you approximately $1.80/hr to run the heater in california.

A minisplit capable of generating 6kw of heat would run you about $2000, but only cost you maybe $0.45/hr to run.

That’s all good info, thanks!

Normally I’m all for making the long-term investment with equipment. But given my shop time now (and what I imagine it to be for a few years) I think this unit will be ok.

 

[Nvrplzd]

I have a King 5700w heater in a similarly sized garage with no insulation and an open ceiling to the peak of the garage and it works phenomenally. I’m a big fan of these big electric heaters when you don’t really have a better option. With your low ceiling there shouldn’t be an issue heating up your space.

For reference, this is the unit I run.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000VZK6T4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[thr3squared]

I have a King 5700w heater in a similarly sized garage with no insulation and an open ceiling to the peak of the garage and it works phenomenally. I’m a big fan of these big electric heaters when you don’t really have a better option. With your low ceiling there shouldn’t be an issue heating up your space.

For reference, this is the unit I run.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000VZK6T4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Just for my own knowledge what's driving the cost difference between this model you posted, and the one from my first post? The option for 3 phase, fan, and thermostat? 3-phase will have less current draw, correct?

 

[Nvrplzd]

Just for my own knowledge what's driving the cost difference between this model you posted, and the one from my first post? The option for 3 phase, fan, and thermostat? 3-phase will have less current draw, correct?

Here's a handy sizing calculator when it comes to electric heaters that I thought was neat..

King Electric - How to Size a Garage Heater

king-electric.com

Anywho, King is an American Made company still, and are somewhat known for their durability and reliability. To be honest with you, I patiently waited for a good deal to come along in the heat of summer (100* when no-one was wanting to even think about a heater) and I picked it up with a dent in the side panel about the size of a quarter for about $20 more than the Dr. Heater unit you have linked in your original post. To answer your question, yes 3 phase does have substantially lower current draw for the same amount of power output.

 

[fitter30]

A watt is a watt doesn't matter in electric resistance heat. There are no 3 phase elements their all single phase each wired between two legs of power have three elements 1 is A to B, 2 is B to C, 3 is A to C. Motor is a totally different power is smoother and more efficient.

 

[thr3squared]

Here's a handy sizing calculator when it comes to electric heaters that I thought was neat..

King Electric - How to Size a Garage Heater

king-electric.com

Anywho, King is an American Made company still, and are somewhat known for their durability and reliability. To be honest with you, I patiently waited for a good deal to come along in the heat of summer (100* when no-one was wanting to even think about a heater) and I picked it up with a dent in the side panel about the size of a quarter for about $20 more than the Dr. Heater unit you have linked in your original post. To answer your question, yes 3 phase does have substantially lower current draw for the same amount of power output.

Smart move!

 

[Two Pump Chump]

The OP's unit is a plug in, the other linked are hard or direct wired.

Pacific Gas and Electric if thats what he has is $0.38 - $0.42 kwh depending on variables.

6,000 watts at $0.38 kwh. (6000/1000) $0.38 = 6x0.38 = $2.28 hour. Is that correct ?

 

[thr3squared]

The OP's unit is a plug in, the other linked are hard or direct wired.

Pacific Gas and Electric if thats what he has is $0.38 - $0.42 kwh depending on variables.

6,000 watts at $0.38 kwh. (6000/1000) $0.38 = 6x0.38 = $2.28 hour. Is that correct ?

Yep, PG&E is our utility provider. That math seems correct to me.

 

[Two Pump Chump]

Yep, PG&E is our utility provider. That math seems correct to me.

Slight off topic beotch. My electric from Sacramento Metropolitan Utility District, SMUD is $0.11/kwh and Idaho power in 83468 is $0.08/kwh. Dont we love our PG&E ?