Better heat solution under $1000

[Speedman87]

Is there a better heating solution for a 1350 sq ft garage other than a torpedo heater?The heat output is fine but can’t deal with the fumes sometime. Using kerosene as fuel. There is no access to piped gas in the area. House runs off heating oil. Tried 220v electric heaters wasn’t enough to keep up. Maybe step up to a larger electrical unit? Any recommendations appreciated.


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[burleyfarm]

Ceiling hung propane unit heater or radiant tube.


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[Speedman87]

I would need an external tank I assume? What size? Acquire permits etc?


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[wanderer]

Maybe you want to offer some additional information like where you are located and whether or not your garage is insulated.

 

[Speedman87]

Southern Maryland. Can see the Teens in the winter. Cinderblock construction garage. Insulated ceiling and doors


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[burleyfarm]

You can purchase 100 gallon tanks or get a small 200-300 tank. Call your local propane provider for information.


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[polizei1]

My Mr. Cool 24k was $1,400 installed (by me). Absolutely love it, runs on 220 and comparing last year bill to this one, it's only increased my bill $20/month. My garage is very well insulated, however.

 

[burleyfarm]

My Mr. Cool 24k was $1,400 installed (by me). Absolutely love it, runs on 220 and comparing last year bill to this one, it's only increased my bill $20/month. My garage is very well insulated, however.

Is that a Mini Split?


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[Speedman87]

My Mr. Cool 24k was $1,400 installed (by me). Absolutely love it, runs on 220 and comparing last year bill to this one, it's only increased my bill $20/month. My garage is very well insulated, however.

What area do you live in? What size garage and how long have you been running that set up? For $1400 and I can have heat and AC doesn’t sound like a bad deal


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[MattT]

Is there a better heating solution for a 1350 sq ft garage other than a torpedo heater?The heat output is fine but can’t deal with the fumes sometime. Using kerosene as fuel. There is no access to piped gas in the area. House runs off heating oil. Tried 220v electric heaters wasn’t enough to keep up. Maybe step up to a larger electrical unit? Any recommendations appreciated.l

What size is the torpedo heater? And how hard does it run on colder days? The answers to those questions will give a rough idea of heater sizing. That and how much power you have available at the shop will determine whether electric is a viable option.

 

[Speedman87]

What size is the torpedo heater? And how hard does it run on colder days? The answers to those questions will give a rough idea of heater sizing. That and how much power you have available at the shop will determine whether electric is a viable option.

75,000 btu unit. It does great as far as heat. Just the fumes and the noise is the problem. Not looking to be working in a t shirt. 55 degrees is fine for me. Just not freezing



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[polizei1]

What area do you live in? What size garage and how long have you been running that set up? For $1400 and I can have heat and AC doesn’t sound like a bad deal


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I'm in SW Ohio, garage is very well insulated, 32x28, 12' ceiling over the 2-car and 18' vault over the 3rd. I installed it in October, I've been running it 24/7 since November, keeping it at 62 (the lowest it will go) and bumping it up to 65-67 when I work. I have nothing bad to say about it, I love it! I bought it from Lowe's with a MIL discount, so your price may be a little higher, they price matched Home Depot, gave me the discount, and shipped it to my house (for free). It's $1,500 at Costco, and $1,538 at Home Depot. Add another $100 in material (disconnect box, wires, etc.).

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I agree with the propane unit heater guys above...BUT I would also say you might consider adding insulation to the walls if you are going to be using this garage for many years. It's a good investment and will save you over the long run.

Phil

 

[jeepxj]

facebook marketplace and craigs list for a used oil burning heater from a house takeout.

 

[pbon]

Or a Mr Heater 80k for $415, plus $100-300 for a vent and $100 for hook up parts, and a large propane tank outside. No idea on the tank size but your propane company could estimate.

Used oil furnace is also a good idea. My father in law has one for his shop and has a very basic duct on top.

 

[BillK]

Southern Maryland.

Thats "Beautiful" Southern Md . . . get it straight I think Propane is probably going to be your best bet unless you go with another oil furnace. Not sure if you could do oil with a $1k budget though with the price of a tank etc. Oil would make it easy since you probably have regular delivery for the house.

 

[Redraptor]

Used oil furnace is also a good idea. My father in law has one for his shop and has a very basic duct on top.

A down draft like in a mobile home would be better.

 

[ransil]

how about a pellet stove, wont be on all thee time and would need to plan you garage work to get if fired up a few hours before.

too far away but I will be having a miller mobile home down draft for sale plus 2 tanks.

 

[Speedman87]

Yea an oil option is very expensive. I replace the one on the house last year and I believe it was $1800 just for the tank and install. Permits had to be pulled. Is it Possible I can run an additional line from that existing tank????Garage is about 50 feet away


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[Speedman87]

how about a pellet stove, wont be on all thee time and would need to plan you garage work to get if fired up a few hours before.

too far away but I will be having a miller mobile home down draft for sale plus 2 tanks.

Pellet and wood burning stove would take up too much time getting started.


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[burleyfarm]

My pellet stove started to deliver heat within 5 minutes of startup. I had it connected to a setback thermostat. It heated my 1300 sf home no problem to 70*I did not run it at night and relied on my propane furnace at night set at 65* F.




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[Speedman87]

Could you use home heating oil instead of kerosene with the torpedo type heaters? Would the result be less fumes?


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[sld961]

Yea an oil option is very expensive. I replace the one on the house last year and I believe it was $1800 just for the tank and install. Permits had to be pulled. Is it Possible I can run an additional line from that existing tank????Garage is about 50 feet away


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Is the garage detached? You can run multiple units from one tank, you'd just have to get the line to the new unit. I'd keep an eye out on Craigslist for a mobile home oil hot air furnace and for a good used tank. Lots of people switching to NG and getting rid of oil stuff, at least around here.

 

[sld961]

Could you use home heating oil instead of kerosene with the torpedo type heaters? Would the result be less fumes?


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Yes, you can use home heating oil. I use off road diesel because that's what I can get at the pump and it's cheaper than kero.

Kero is the cleanest burning, heating oil or diesel will have more fumes.

My workshop is "well ventilated". I don't notice the fumes, unless it runs out of fuel and makes a big puff of smoke.

Also, most of the fumes come when the heater starts and stops. If yours doesn't run constantly, another option would be to get a smaller one that runs constantly and doesn't start and stop.

 

[sld961]

Also, do you keep the garage heated, or just heat it while you're in there?

If you keep it heated, I'd lean to the mini split. I installed a 24k Mr. Cool DIY in my house and it works good. Very efficient.

 

[Dagny]

Reznor makes the best hanging LP heater. Many that I have installed are over 30 years old and still working fine. If you are 70 get one at the big box store.

 

[Speedman87]

Is the garage detached? You can run multiple units from one tank, you'd just have to get the line to the new unit. I'd keep an eye out on Craigslist for a mobile home oil hot air furnace and for a good used tank. Lots of people switching to NG and getting rid of oil stuff, at least around here.

Yea the garage is detached. Will be on the look out thanks


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[Speedman87]

Also, do you keep the garage heated, or just heat it while you're in there?

If you keep it heated, I'd lean to the mini split. I installed a 24k Mr. Cool DIY in my house and it works good. Very efficient.

No, it’s not. Detached garage with no hvac what so ever


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[theoldwizard1]

Any type of propane heat with out external vent will put a lot of moisture into you building. Not an issue if it is not insulated (leaks like a sieve) or you are only using it a few hours at a time.

I have a 20 lb tank top propane heater. I bought a second one, because on was not enough for my 2 car uninsulated garage.

 

[Speed-Racer]

A ceiling heater powered by natural gas or propane. Previously had the torpedo heater, in both propane and kerosene, was never happy with them. The electric heater base heater never had the ability to warm everything up. The kerosene/ propane fumes were horrible and roar of the flame.

Love the ceiling unit I have, so nice to work on a warm car in a tshirt in February.

A mr heater big maxx 50k ceiling heater that runs off of propane or ng is on sale at northern tool for 350 plus they are giving out 50 dollar gift cards for purchases over 250.

Next get the B vent exhaust pipe from Lowe’s if you can run the exhaust vertical and flexible stainless gas line or iron pipe if the layout allows. Vertical venting is better because the fumes are pulled out and u save a nice amount on the pipe cost. If you need to run the vent horizontal, you need to upgrade to stainless steel Exhaust pipe and will need to find another store or online.

Next Is a larger propane tank, not sure what it cost. But it is worth it.

Costs
375 heater +tax + 40ish shipping.
100-150 B vent exhaust pipe, iron fittings, pipe dope and gas line.
Propane tank and delivery? No idea
Cost for a prof to check everything and ensure local codes were followed. Cheap to make sure you are safe.

This style heater is amazing, no smell. I turn mine on for a couple of hours with a small on the ground fan blowing air toward the back of the heater and everything in the garage is warm. Lots of you tube videos on installs and resources on GJ to make your budget.

 

[Speed-Racer]

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200577749_200577749

https://www.northerntool.com/images/product/400x400/274/27457_400x400.jpg

 

[jvitez]

Insulate the walls first. Doesn't make sense to try and heat the outdoors. What are your costs for propane, oil and electricity in Maryland?

 

[BillK]

I believe it was $1800 just for the tank and install. Permits had to be pulled.

Ouch

I would call Suburban Propane and see what they charge to bring out a tank. Not sure if you would need permit to put in a garage heater but they should be able to tell you. A 100lb tank would probably work for your need.

Another option would be a mini split but that would probably depend on what you have available as far as electric service.

Not sure about running another line from the oil tank at that distance.

 

[Speed-Racer]

You could buy a 100lb tank for 160 dollars and I would guess 3 dollar a pound for a fill up.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200444881_200444881

With the heater and tank. You are spending over 500 dollars at northern and can now qualify for the 100 gift card.

Delivery, if you cannot pickup would be over 100 dollars for the tank. But it beats the 1,800 tank install.

I would pull the permits and make sure you are in code.

 

[finn]

Rent a propane tank from a local supplier and install a hanging heater.

The hanging heater will be cheaper than a mini split, but probably a little noisier.

Tank rented from the supplier is probably a better solution than buying your own. The fuel may be $.10/gal more expensive, but you will likely never recoup the upfront cost of buying vs renting.

 

[cpttuna]

used mobile home furnace?

 

[Speedman87]

Approximately how much fuel would a 80k BTU Heater use an hour if constantly ran. Anyone have any real world scenarios???


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[u3b3rg33k]

Approximately how much fuel would a 80k BTU Heater use an hour if constantly ran. Anyone have any real world scenarios???


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1 gal of propane holds 91.5k BTU per google.

 

[JamesW84]

Tank rented from the supplier is probably a better solution than buying your own. The fuel may be $.10/gal more expensive, but you will likely never recoup the upfront cost of buying vs renting.

Around here, some companies have a minimum fill per year. You have to buy 200 gal or they won't rent you a tank. I found one that doesn't do that. I have a 320 gal tank (for the house). Rental is like $50/year

 

[Speedman87]

1 gal of propane holds 91.5k BTU per google.

Yea never works out that way, especially when you factor in efficiency and other variables


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