Efficient Garage Heater

[Sea_Chicken1]

Does anybody have any suggestions for an efficient electric or propane heater for a 14x30 garage that is cheap to run? I work nights most of the year and the last couple winters my garage has been so cold that after working outside, I don't want to be in it for very long. This year I would like to be able to keep it about 65 so projects don't get put on the back burner.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Hey man - I have a 22 x 24 or so garage with 10' ceilings using a Fahrenheat 5000w electric and love it. Got it from Northern for like $270.

 

[Sea_Chicken1]

It has to be a portable model. We do not own the house and I don't plan on being in it longer than a year or two until we buy property.

 

[5mall5nail5]

It has to be a portable model. We do not own the house and I don't plan on being in it longer than a year or two until we buy property.

That's fine, put a plug on it.

 

[Highbeam]

Temporary heat to keep it at 65 all the time will be a little hokey. Everything is portable when you get right down to it. I would do a proper install of the electric heater posted above and then remove it when you're done.

Propane portable devices are a little scary to leave unattended.

65 is pretty warm if you're working. 50 degrees and up is reasonable.

 

[Falcon67]

That's fine, put a plug on it.

What he said - one lag bolt, cord, plug, etc. Same setup that was in the other shop, so yea - it's portable.

 

[Steve in Mi]

Really cheap and very portable are these from TSC stores.

I've noticed that when the heating season is in full swing TSC discounts them 5 - 7 bucks.

This one can be aimed where you want. An effective ribbon heater.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/redstonetrade;-multi-purpose-fan-forced-shop-heater

This one won't let you tip it much before the safety switch shuts it down.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/sto...house-multi-purpose-fan-forced-utility-heater

Its a nichrome wire type with the same output. Both require ~15 amps @ 120 volts. So you need properly wired circuits to handle them, most likely, one heater on a circuit.

Two of these 1500 watt units will take the chill off in an insulated garage 14' X 26' - I use to have such a setup. I'd get home from the day job, turn on 2 heaters and about an hour later go to the garage to turn wrenches. R-13 walls and R-19 in the ceiling. The floor never did get warm - took care of that in my present shop, I have 3" of Dow rigid foam between me and ground frost.

 

[theoldwizard1]

This year I would like to be able to keep it about 65 so projects don't get put on the back burner.

All of the time or while you are in the shop.

Maintaining that temp without adequate insulation will cost you an arm and a leg.

 

[mark11]

Keep in mind that a 5000 watt electric will need 220V. I've used the propane heater below and it's worked great.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Glo-50K-80K-LP-Convection-Heater-RMC-LPC80DG/202895381

 

[Steve in Mi]

Keep in mind that a 5000 watt electric will need 220V. I've used the propane heater below and it's worked great.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Glo-50K-80K-LP-Convection-Heater-RMC-LPC80DG/202895381

On the plus side the propane heater can provide a lot of heat! But there is always a catch, 1.) cost of LP and 2.) all that water that is a bi product of LP gas combustion. If the garage is reasonably sealed and has a moisture barrier the propane may get you relief for the short term. If you have items in the shop that rust can attack (lathe, milling machine, fine car) the propane heater is not your best choice IMO.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

These DeLonghi Portable Oil-Filled Radiator heaters are very safe and effective. The accordion high surface area technology means extremely efficient heat transfer without burning the air causing dryness and no hot surfaces to burn a hand or cause a fire (no hot spots) and completely silent without distracting noises which drown out music. Yet amazingly puts out up to 1500W. I have used these heater in a poorly insulated cabin in the mountains in freezing weather and worked great and was safe to leave on 24/7.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A33B1C/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Now living in Arizona I have two I brought from back east and haven't used them in years. If you were here I give one to you. If your interested Ill drop one off at the UPS store and you can pay for packing and shipping. But you know those guys charge allot.

 

[zchrisz]

What he said - one lag bolt, cord, plug, etc. Same setup that was in the other shop, so yea - it's portable.

LOVE this heater! i have it in my single 14x28 does a great job keeping it above freezing and when i work i can bring the temp up easy.

 

[cagullett1]

That's fine, put a plug on it.

What he said - one lag bolt, cord, plug, etc. Same setup that was in the other shop, so yea - it's portable.

LOVE this heater! i have it in my single 14x28 does a great job keeping it above freezing and when i work i can bring the temp up easy.

I "4th" this heater. I love mine. I have moved mine twice over the past year as I rearrange the garage and the only pain is having to move the receptacle. It will be easy to take with you if you use a plug.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well since apparently were in group-think lock-step mode here, Ill 5th the recommendations for the Dayton suspended red-hot resistance heater.

 

[VictorBravo]

For what it's worth, I've used this one from Northern Tools for 3 years in a 24 X 24 pole barn with thin insulation (3/8" or so). The ceiling is 14' high at the peak.

I got it for $79, now it's $109.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395481_200395481

It keeps the temperatures tolerable to nice: 55 F when it's 0 F outside. If it's around 32 out, it will keep it easily at 65 inside without running all the time.

I plug it into a 50 Amp welding outlet. You need at least 30 amp 220.

 

[pseudorealityx]

The accordion high surface area technology means extremely efficient heat transfer without burning the air causing dryness

Ugh.... again. "Burning the air"???

 

[Falcon67]

Only thing worse than burnt air is burnt popcorn.

 

[Highbeam]

These DeLonghi Portable Oil-Filled Radiator heaters are very safe and effective. The accordion high surface area technology means extremely efficient heat transfer without burning the air causing dryness and no hot surfaces to burn a hand or cause a fire (no hot spots) and completely silent without distracting noises which drown out music.

They're fine electric heaters and they are quiet and relatively safe. They are NOT any more efficient than any other electric space heater. They are not going to have any affect on dryness other than adding heat like any heater. They are huge, expensive, 15 amp max, and take up floor space.