I have an attached 2 car garage, I believe it's 25x25x8 and fully insulated. I plan on using it for some baseball hitting a day or 2 a week during the winter. Looking for a way to heat it up just enough to not freeze when we are hitting (50° max). I have a small kerosene heater from an old appartment, but its WAY too small although I have used it out there before. Thinking propane might be my best bet, I have 3 tanks I keep full for my BBQ so I could use one of those. What would everyone suggest?
Occasional heat in attached garage
- Thread starter Ralphxj
- Start date
Lennyzx11
Well-known member
One disadvantage of propane that in unvented like this is condensation inside an enclosed area. I know the OP was told about cracking the door. Not good enough.
Propane releases water vapor pound for pound and carbon dioxide when burned.
Another way is 4 cubic ft of water vapor is released for each cubic foot of propane.
Or around a quart of water per hour on the typical 30k heater usually found.
Disclaimer. I’m no expert. Just someone with a few years of walking into a cold winter shop and having ice inside on a cold morning.
In my Vermont shop, I see water condensation form on all metal and glass surfaces and the pegboard walls. Tools and parts were rusting in the boxes.
Non vented propane heaters makes a quick heat but a vented system is better.
Though I use a wood stove now and a wall vented propane mobile home type wall furnace on a thermostat set at 45.
The propane heater carries the load well when I’d rather raise the thermostat than build a wood fire.
(Read being lazy)
This helps keep the concrete floor and interior from large temp changes. Actually works out cheaper this way and a lot more comfortable than heat up, cool off cycles. The wood stove brings temp up to 65-70 pretty quick and dehumidifies the area.
An attached garage has some restrictions my detached doesn’t also so be safe.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Propane releases water vapor pound for pound and carbon dioxide when burned.
Another way is 4 cubic ft of water vapor is released for each cubic foot of propane.
Or around a quart of water per hour on the typical 30k heater usually found.
Disclaimer. I’m no expert. Just someone with a few years of walking into a cold winter shop and having ice inside on a cold morning.
In my Vermont shop, I see water condensation form on all metal and glass surfaces and the pegboard walls. Tools and parts were rusting in the boxes.
Non vented propane heaters makes a quick heat but a vented system is better.
Though I use a wood stove now and a wall vented propane mobile home type wall furnace on a thermostat set at 45.
The propane heater carries the load well when I’d rather raise the thermostat than build a wood fire.
(Read being lazy)
This helps keep the concrete floor and interior from large temp changes. Actually works out cheaper this way and a lot more comfortable than heat up, cool off cycles. The wood stove brings temp up to 65-70 pretty quick and dehumidifies the area.
An attached garage has some restrictions my detached doesn’t also so be safe.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Ron_J
Well-known member
I don't care for the torpedo heaters. I tried the wall mounted ventless heaters and didn't like the amount of heat they put off either. I ended up with a 240v 5000w electric heater and it worked great in my 2 car garage.
It would heat up the area where I was working in no time, and kept the whole garage comfortable.
the problem I have with them is that you really need to be able to mount it where it blows on where you will be, otherwise it will take longer to heat than you want.
https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...DIOQTl4oUuY0SQ4PQN4eg1pFFAkgsRuhoC7r4QAvD_BwE
It would heat up the area where I was working in no time, and kept the whole garage comfortable.
the problem I have with them is that you really need to be able to mount it where it blows on where you will be, otherwise it will take longer to heat than you want.
https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...DIOQTl4oUuY0SQ4PQN4eg1pFFAkgsRuhoC7r4QAvD_BwE
Would the extra moisture from propane be any worse then any summer night when the humidity is like 150%?? I figure once we are done in the garage and I have to move the Jeep back into the garage the dry winter air will even out the extra moisture from the heater?? Not sure how that will all work. I thought about electric, but figured that would be more expensive??
Ron_J
Well-known member
Yes, it is. But in my experience, to heat it for a couple hours 2 or 3 nights a week didn't even register a second thought on the bill.
I would say it will depend on how often you plan to use it.
Randy in Maine
Well-known member
How do you heat the attached house?
If it is forced hot water, you have some good options.
If it is forced hot water, you have some good options.
Jazz1
Well-known member
Hot water with baseboard heaters. The problem is there is no heat on the walls on that side of the house, everything is on interior walls. I would have to RIP out walls to get heat out there. Actually just ran new lines into the house from my outdoor wood boiler, but didn't plan on needing enough heat to run lines into the garage.
I really only plan in using it, 1 day a week, 2 tops and I don't think I i would use it 2 days very often, so 1 day a week would be the most common.
Steve in UT
Well-known member
This would be perfect for you. Cheap and easy to install. There are tons of favorable reviews for 2-3 car garages. Just do a search for cz220.
https://www.landmsupply.com/comfort-zone-industrial-5-000-watt-fan-forced-utility-heater-cz220?gclid=Cj0KCQjwlvT8BRDeARIsAACRFiWLoFZg0Tkd9ipTh3kUCwVNIWsUK0t8obswgKu5cnNg7nyLVOrv_C0aAmENEALw_wcB
https://www.landmsupply.com/comfort-zone-industrial-5-000-watt-fan-forced-utility-heater-cz220?gclid=Cj0KCQjwlvT8BRDeARIsAACRFiWLoFZg0Tkd9ipTh3kUCwVNIWsUK0t8obswgKu5cnNg7nyLVOrv_C0aAmENEALw_wcB
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Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
THIS ^ Safe, affordable and NO condensation!
510ebl
Well-known member
A BTU is a BTU. Consider opening the door to the house and placing a box fan in it.
The laundry room exits into the garage and it doesnt doesn't have much heat. When we remodeled that room I could only add a small baseboard in there due to the dryer vent placement.
BillK
Well-known member
If you have electric available that is the way to go. I have something similar to what Steve linked to in my 22x22 attached garage. This is the one I have:
https://www.marleymep.com/products/qmark/unit-heater-muh35-series
If I turn it on when I get home by the time I eat dinner it will have the garage at at least 65 degrees no matter how cold it is outside. My garage is all finished and insulated except there is no insulation in the ceiling. Garage door is insulated and very well sealed, which makes a huge difference. Not sure how your temp are compared to here in Md. Might be a touch colder ?
https://www.marleymep.com/products/qmark/unit-heater-muh35-series
If I turn it on when I get home by the time I eat dinner it will have the garage at at least 65 degrees no matter how cold it is outside. My garage is all finished and insulated except there is no insulation in the ceiling. Garage door is insulated and very well sealed, which makes a huge difference. Not sure how your temp are compared to here in Md. Might be a touch colder ?
510ebl
Well-known member
Looks like it could be in the high 20s / low 30s up your way tonight (completely guessing where in NE OH you are)... maybe give it a try. You have nothing to lose? See what the garage temp is in the morning.
How tight are the front doors? Are they insulated? My attached, unheated garage stays over 40deg in the dead of winter, but we have a bedroom above so no loss through the ceiling. Adding insulation to my overhead doors and tightening the seals/gaskets added a minimum of 5 degrees all winter. I also rarely get much strong wind from the front of the garage. Leaving the door to the house open for a while makes a noticeable difference when I am working in there for an hour or two, but the door leads into a larger living space and not a laundry room.
I realize I have not suggested anything regarding adding heat, so I will add that my dad installed (about) 16 feet of 240V electric baseboard heat to the garage in the house I grew up in. It made a significant difference.
That all makes sense. If I was looking to keep it heating, I would have added a hot water unit (already have 2 I'm not using) when I redid my outdoor wood boiler lines this summer. The only time the garage gets below freezing is when its below 10° overnight. Really only worried about heating things up for an hour or 2 a week for now. I should probably seal up the garage door just to help things with and without the added heat in the shop.
BillK
Well-known member
That made the biggest difference of everything that I did. I actually replaced my original wood door with an insulated steel door that has all of the proper seals along the sides and bottom. That alone made a world of difference. I have my electronics bench in the garage and typically am out there a couple of nights a week at least and honestly cannot say that I ever notice it on the electric bill.
nadogail
Well-known member
Electric heat has no Carbon Monoxide problems and is easily controlled.
acer66
Well-known member
You already have an inside wall and it is fully insulated so heating cost should not be so high.
I have a detached cinder block wall garage that only has ceiling insulation and I just keep two little electrical radiant heaters in there during the winter in there so stuff does not freeze in there and to take the edge off working in there and that made hardly a difference with my electric bill.
I have a detached cinder block wall garage that only has ceiling insulation and I just keep two little electrical radiant heaters in there during the winter in there so stuff does not freeze in there and to take the edge off working in there and that made hardly a difference with my electric bill.
Ok, just installed the cz220 and so far, VERY underwhelming!! Either my fan is not working right, or this thing is VERY underpowered. I can barely feel any heat or air moving 5 feet away on any of the settings. The fan just seems very weak and isn't moving any air. Is this normal or is something wrong? I don't think this would heat up a small bedroom as it is right now.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
Sounds like something is wrong. Two of my buddies have that heater and you can feel the fan from about 10 feet away, possibly more. They have no trouble with their heating up their smaller shops to 65-70 degrees.
I have the similar but larger 7500 watt model, and on the 5000 watt setting it will heat my 20x30 garage (8ft ceilings, insulated) to at least 60 degrees on cold days.
I'll double check all the wires. Hopefully tractor supply will let me swap it for a new one and not have to go through the manufacturer.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I suggest electric radiant heaters. Radiant heaters heat things, not the air. Get a couple and point them at where you'll be. I have 2 1500 watt (120 volt) heaters in my garage, they work great.
BillK
Well-known member
Are you certain you have it hooked up to 240 volts ??
Yep, ran a new circuit. I'll measure the voltage at the fan to make sure something didn't get connected incorrectly, but it should be good.
BillK
Well-known member
Is it hard wired or plug in ? Check the voltage at the plug.
nadogail
Well-known member
I used the electric heater for a few minutes in my workshop today. First time this season.
Steve in UT
Well-known member
Sorry man, I guess I steered you wrong. I actually have the comfort zone 7500 and it does a great job, even on low. I figured the cz220 sounded just right for your application.
Ron_J
Well-known member
I'm surprised this didn't do the trick for you. I have almost the exact same setup and it does just fine.
How long did you let it run? Mine will make it comfortable within an hour or so...at least in the bay that the heater is in. It takes longer to heat both bays.
BillK
Well-known member
Ralph,
How long are you letting it run ? Like I said in my reply my 5000 watt heater takes about an hour to get my garage up to 60 degrees if it is 30 deg outside. I turn it on when I get home and then go in and eat dinner. By the time I am ready to go back out in the garage it is plenty warm.
I wonder if you are expecting it too work a lot faster ? The air from mine does not really feel that warm a few feet away from the heater but it does the job.
How long are you letting it run ? Like I said in my reply my 5000 watt heater takes about an hour to get my garage up to 60 degrees if it is 30 deg outside. I turn it on when I get home and then go in and eat dinner. By the time I am ready to go back out in the garage it is plenty warm.
I wonder if you are expecting it too work a lot faster ? The air from mine does not really feel that warm a few feet away from the heater but it does the job.
I ran it for a couple hours and it didn't seem to heat up at all. I'll try it again tonight before I return it. I expected more I guess. I'll take a couple of my digital temp sensors out there and track the temps over a couple hours and see what happens.
Not sure how I would get vapors into a hot water system.