Best heater for 2-bay garage-under

[jack63ss]

I have a 3700cf (24x22x7) 2-bay garage-under split-level, and I am looking to heat it so I can work in it during the winter. Background:

The back side is a heated basement wall and has some insulation in it. One side it totally below grade, the other is 6' below 1' above. The doors are about 10 years old, well insulated and tight fitting. The 1' above grade includes a window, currently blocked with insulation, so I can vent to outside. So during the winter (I live in eastern Massachusetts) the garage stays at about 42 degrees (at least that is what the thermometers in my cars tell me).

And I would not keep it heated all the time, just on an as-needed basis. Most of the time there is 1 car in the car during the winter (mine of course), with 2 only when it is going to sleet or snow.

So, what would people recommend ? I can use about any source I need to; electric, propane, kerosene, etc. Just looking for some suggestions from those who have experience with this type of installation.

Happy New Year and Thanks
Jack

ps My board address says Scotia NY as I have a large storage garage there as well.

 

[loganb]

If you have natural gas, that will likely be the cheapest in terms of cost per btu, but depending on how far the line has to be run to hookup costs could get higher. Also one of the higher initial costs with the heater, hookup and exhaust. Most can be retrofitted to run propane as well which is probably the next cheapest source in terms of $'s per BTU

What are your electric costs? A 5kw electric heater is probably the simplest solution as no venting required, but electric cost and space in breaker panel/ease of hookup may make it less desirable. Will probably be the cheapest as that heater new is under $100.

Ventless propane heater would work, 100 lb tank would likely last several weeks if not longer for intermittent usage. It will add considerable moisture to the room so may need to work in tandem with a dehumidifier

Personally I don't like kerosene or oil burners in any finished or attached space, the smell to me puts them out of consideration

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[u2slow]

"Best" isn't so cut and dry...

Electric can be cheap and easy to get going (used free baseboards, DIY wiring)... but costly to operate. Home insurance tends to like electric.

Vented gas or propane is usually a better value on BTUs (no dehumidifying req'd) and keeps your electric demand freed up for shop tools (i.e. welder & compressor). Check the cost of getting NG... rotating portable propane bottles (30-100#) is not uncommon. Later, a propane heater can normally be tuned for NG, when there's a funds for the piped gas install.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Since you are only planning on heating it when you work in it, the “right” answer depends on how frequently and for how long you plan to work in it. If only a couple hours per winter, electrical resistance heat could be your best bet: cheapest installation but highest operating cost. The more hours you plan to use it, the more you can justify a more costly system that will provide a cheaper “fuel” cost.

Generally, if you have natural gas, that’ll be cheapest. If not available, and you have propane on site, that’ll be your best option.

If you’d like to work in there during hot summer weather, you might consider a hyper- heat mini split.