Advice on buying propane radiant tube heater

Good afternoon folks,

Seeking some advice on selecting a tube heater for my two year old shop here in Kentucky.

- 36’ wide by 48’ long.
- Walk through door and 12’x10’ overhead door on front 36’ endwall.
- Stick built on top of knee walls
- 2” of closed cell foam insulation on the walls and roof panels.
- 2” foam board under the concrete floor
- The garage has scissor trusses so I have a 12’ walls and 15’ peak ceiling height.
- Outside and inside walls are covered in metal and I do have a metal ceiling.


I’ve been heating it for the past two winters with a Master Kerosene/Diesel Forced Air Heater, 135,000 BTU from Tractor Supply. It does a great job other than the smell and noise. I now want to install something more permanent and have decided on a propane radiant tube heater. I have three rows of lights on the ceiling, one down the middle and one half-way down on each side. I’m thinking about hanging the heater at an angle on one side of the shop versus hanging it in the middle. Propane will be supplied from an above ground 500 gallon tank.

I was hoping to generate some thoughts from you fellow members on what size heater would be appropriate and what brands to look for (or stay away from). Any other thoughts or suggestions are certainly welcome!

I have a 80k 20' tube in my 24x32 with 14' ceilings. Ran it along the long wall at a 45 in the ceiling corner. Did not want it anywhere near the middle due to lift. Not positive of brand as my buddy who does HVAC got a commercial unit from his supplier. VERY happy with my choice so far.

Thanks Buck. If you think about it, would you see what brand you are using?

inane2 said:

Thanks Buck. If you think about it, would you see what brand you are using?

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I'll check the manual tonight.

Any propane heater with an open flame (i.e. no separate exhaust) will put a HUGE amount of moisture into your shop.

theoldwizard1 said:

Any propane heater with an open flame (i.e. no separate exhaust) will put a HUGE amount of moisture into your shop.

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They get vented

inane2 said:

Thanks Buck. If you think about it, would you see what brand you are using?

Click to expand...

Roberts Gordon Blackheat BH-80

http://www.robertsgordon.com/

60-80k unit is gonna do the job....just worked on some older radiant units yesterday...really nice...simple ...and easy to service panelbloc infrared-radiant heaters ...heres a model number i had cr-125od-4..1990 vintage...guy said he never had any issue's with them at all
so... they weren't tube they were vertical just like any other unit heater...
i have installed and serviced robertsgordon units as well-very nice...quality stuff....
i was using the same master heater in my new garage last year....glad i found a station that sold k1.....had to replace the impellar assy..(blower).forget what they called it...thought that was a good unit as well

Thanks for all the info guys!

Buck, I checked out the Roberts Gordon website and their is a dealer about 45 minutes away. I called and talked to the company owner who was very helpful. Getting some quotes together and going to try to move forward with a purchase of some sort in the near future.