45,000 or 70,000?

[RWD]

Hi guys,
I have about 1000sf 3 1/2 (3 stalls with the third one extra deep) car attached garage that I want to heat with a Hot Dog or Modine type heater. I allready have a natural gas line and electric in the garage. The garage has 2x4 walls and 2x12 ceiling with 5/8's drywall and blown in cellulose insulation. The doors are insulated too. I'd say it's pretty well insulated. In the Chicago area it can get to -0 a few times a year. I'm looking to keep the temp at 60-70 when I'm working in there and just above freezing when I'm not. The local home center has a 45K heater on sale for $400. The 70K is not on sale and is about $500. For what I'm looking to do, can I use the 45K heater? I know that with house furnaces, bigger is not always better. Too big a furnace can lead to short cycling where the furnace keeps going on and off. I know the 70k would heat the garage up quicker but by how much?
Thanks

 

[JCByrd24]

I think you'd be fine with the 45K. In all but the coldest weather you'd be from 35 or 40 up to 55 or 60 pretty quickly. If you're like me you won't really need to heat to 70, anything over 60 when I'm actually moving around and I start sweating.

One major thing to consider though is overhead door useage, you can loose a lot of heat when you open them up and if you want real quick recovery or use them a lot you might want the 75K.

 

[Deputydawg]

I bought the 75K hot dawg heater and I am going to install it in the next couple of weeks. I have about the same size garage and everyone I talked to said you cant go wrong with the bigger unit.

 

[mulepackin]

I have about 750 sq. ft. with 9 foot ceiling. I'm in central Montana, probably similar temps for about the same period of time as you (except without the humidity). I went with a 75,000 btu unit (Hot Dawg). Haven't regretted it a bit. Cycle times seem about right, things heat up to a comfortable working temperature quickly. I keep mine about 45-50 degrees. I feel it takes less energy to keep things around there than it does to heat it up more. Also, less condensation on tools and equipment, which might be even more of an issue for you.

 

[RWD]

Thanks guys! I'm leaning more towards the 75k unit. In fact I went to the store today to buy it but they are out of stock. Who would figure that heading into winter, lol. BTW, I remeasured the garage and it's 1200 sq ft. with a 10' ceiling so it looks likethe 75 would be perfect. Off to search the on-line stores...

 

[ksp]

I have a 75000 Hot Dawg in a 32x36x10.5 garage and would not want it any smaller. Mine does not cycle on and off and when you want it a little warmer for different reasons you won't regret going to the larger heater.