Cutting a Radiant Heat Tube

[SE Mn Guy]

Longtime lurker, first time posting. Appreciate the info I've picked up over the last few years here! Have a question on heating my pole shed. Quick specs:

Located in SE MN, can get cold here!
32x40
R19 in the walls, R38 in ceiling, feels pretty tight
Has upstairs loft thats 32x18ft
12'9'' sidewalls with just over 19ft to the peak
Most common response from hvac contractors is 75k BTU

I would really like to install a Radiant Heat tube, preferably a Reverbaray or SRP. My issue is that I can not fit a 20ft tube with the loft and I have a fan in the middle of the ceiling so thats not an option. I have a contractor that will cut the tube 14 inches to fit and says thats not an issue. Others say this is a big no no as does Reverbaray. Is there anybody that can clarify this issue or have done it with no issues?

The first pic is from another shed I'm hoping to duplicate. Hanging the tube at a 45 degree along the longer wall. The second pic is my shed with the loft.

 

[SE Mn Guy]

Also, I have about 21ft from the loft to the wall. The 75k 2 stage tubes are 20ft plus clearance on each end. Sounds like I would need about 10 inches for the burner box to the loft rail and most likely 18'' from the end wall to vent straight out.

 

[yeldogt]

If the manufacturer says not to do it ... I would not. That's your answer ....

Have you experienced this type of heater ? How will you use the space ?

Planning on being in the loft often ... or is it storage?

 

[SE Mn Guy]

I prefer radiant to say a hot dawg. We have them at work and it's a nice heat. No fan blowing, dust, etc. Very efficient. It's more of a man cave than garage. I'd keep it around 55 degrees and turn it up when in use on the weekends. The loft is finished space and has a poker table, dart board, with a patio door to a deck.

 

[yeldogt]

Efficient ? Well they run in the 80% range .. same as most non condensing. The low temp (1100) can be used for whole area heating .. but, typically need more than one as the heat is directed.

They are really designed for spaces that have doors opening all the time -- or extremely high ceilings ... best where heat is needed in zones.

I'm not sure what amount of heat you will see in the loft unless you run it .... radiant heat needs to heat "things" ... the things give off heat.

 

[Stuart in MN]

You can get radiant tube heaters that are less than 20 feet long, you just may have to go to a different manufacturer to find one.

 

[SE Mn Guy]

I've seen some 15ft but they didn't put enough btu's. The heat load called for 80k and those were around 30k-45k

 

[jptbay]

Only 14 inches? Cut it.

I'm sure you wouldn't, but don't cut the first 10 foot section nearest the burner.

I have a 30x40x12 in a similar climate I heat with a 20 foot 85K two stage setup. Love it.

 

[brewchief]

How about a u tube version? 15' each way would give you 30' of tube.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[PWC Repair]

How about a u tube version? 15' each way would give you 30' of tube.

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I was thinking there were elbows you can install in the regular tubes.

Edit: The Sunstar comes in straight "L" "Z" and "U" configurations, I'm sure other brands do too.