Great price for a garage heater

pablo94sc · Feb 18, 2015

I picked up a 5000w, 17k BTU Comfort Zone garage heater from Northern Tool for $99 over the weekend. Installed it in a 588sqft garage (28x21) that's mostly insulated to R13 and needs a door seal. It took a few hours, but brought the temps up from freezing to above 60*.

It looks like they are sold out online now, but you may be able to grab one in-store. If not, they are $109 at L&M Fleet.

Thought I'd pass it along as I've never seen a garage heater for under $200 that works as well as this one.

dougsey · Feb 18, 2015

Good to hear you're happy with that heater. I was looking at that one last week but thought for $99, it must be a POS. Maybe it was just discontinued or something.

pablo94sc · Feb 18, 2015

Maybe it's a seasonal item? I was worried it might only be good for taking the chill out of the air, but after 5 hours it was over 60* in the garage while being in the low 20s outside.

BearsFan315 · Feb 19, 2015

Hmmm.... got my attention, It seems the older i get the less tolerant of the cold i become !! I want to go out and work on my 1929, but to Darn Cold for me !! has been below freezin the last week or so here, and I am over it.

I will have to check my local Northern to see if they have one, I can hardwire it into my NEW Sub Panel for the garage. looks like a 25 Amp for all out power. CZ220 Instructions & info

I have a semi insulated 20x30 garage, mainly want to kill the chill in the air. make it tolerable to work on my car or what have you !!

any complaints or concerns about this unit ??

What about a portable propane style ?? ceiling mounted or such ?? or do they put too much moisture/ co2 in the air ??

pablo94sc · Feb 19, 2015

Only complaint is it vibrates a bit, but the reviews I found said it's likely the fan is loose on the shaft. I plan on fixing that when it warms up over the weekend.

Propane is great for a lot of heat quickly, but unless you have it vented or have a window/door cracked, it's too dangerous for indoor use (IMO).

BearsFan315 · Feb 19, 2015

Thanks for the reply...

I have a torpedo Propane now, and i have to crack a door to vent, which lets out the heat. does heat quickly but LOUD !!

found the Specs

I can pretty much mount mine close to the panel from a beam/ joist, since I have the space close to the panel, short run of wire, 25 or 30 amp breaker, and some time for install. does not look or seem to hard. worst case, i do not like it, and pass it on to someone else !!

I do like the 3 heat range options, as well as the thermostat. can use it to keep the garage at a min temp and not freezing. also would probably assist a little it keeping the garage dryer, help remove moisture from the air !!

pablo94sc · Feb 19, 2015

Initial current draw peaked below 30A if I recall, and seems to be a two-stage start (fan, then heater element) but I think a 25A breaker will be cutting it close.

Keep mine on 5000W. Haven't been out there long enough after work to experiment, but I have a feeling dropping it to 3000W once at the desired temp is reached will allow it to maintain more efficiently.

BearsFan315 · Feb 19, 2015

OK, so 30 AMP 220v Breaker, bout $10 plus maybe 10-15 ft of 10-2 @ $1.50 a foot. and some lag bolts to bolt to beam. all in all about $25-30 to install. $110 from L & M Fleet Supply via your link above, FREE shipping, no Tax !!

Also saw the 7500W version for $200, but it would require 35 AMP 220v Breaker. Has low 6250 & high 7500 switch... probably overkill and spin my meter off the house !!

Just hate being COLD !!

this thing gets pretty good reviews where it is sold, most people crank it up before they go out, then drop it down to 3000. can't do anything worse then cost me MONEY

James-W · Feb 19, 2015

Electric heaters are wonderful and I would highly recommend them for short term heating purposes. But to use them all the time is going to get a bit on the expensive side.

BearsFan315 · Feb 20, 2015

well found the Comfort Zone 5k Unit online at Northern Tool on sale for $99.00 plus Free shipping to store, but that is 1-2 week delivery vs ground for $14 gets it to me in 2-4 days.

Then there is a promo coupon 202911 for $20 off of $100 order, so add in a clearance dollar item to hit $100 and get heater for $80 plus tax, shipping, etc... so delivered to my door is Just under $100 or to Store $86 !! great deal if you ask me !!

Gerald O · Feb 20, 2015

That unit is an exact clone of the "ProFusion" labeled heaters I bought from NT a year ago for $99. I wonder why the brand name has changed but the product has not?

kevincan · Feb 20, 2015

i picked up one of these from Northern Tool on Black Friday. I think it was $89. It has been doing a good job heating my workshop this winter.

When I lived up north in Illinois I purchased a similar unit for a 3 car garage. I had planned to use it for a short time until I could run a gas line and put in a gas furnace. I wound up using it for 8 years until I moved. It would heat up the garage to 65 - 70 even when it was below zero outside.

BearsFan315 · Feb 20, 2015

Awesome, I ordered Mine and got confirmation

now to get it in my hands... then install !! will keep you all informed and post pictures as well

Wonder if it is the SAME Manufacturer, just rebranding them ?? Instructions and details look EXACT

racin4ds · Feb 24, 2015

FYI- I run a large powder coating oven in my garage with (3) 3500 electric elements in it and it really doesn't affect my elec bill much at all, of course I don't run it 24/7 either but thats 10,500 Watts! Electricity is still a very cheap source of power compared to gas to fuel...

Vernon29RW · Mar 5, 2015

convert house to solar power and you could run this thing constant 24/7 keeping the garage at a constant 70+ degrees for the cost of nothing!!! You could work on your car in the dead of winter with shorts and a t shirt!!

Great price for a garage heater

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