Electric heater advice

[KPS18]

Did some searching but thought I'd ask anyway. Need suggestions on an electric heater manufacturer, size I can decide on once I pick a brand. I have a 3 car garage fully insulated, it's not a shop, just a place to park his & hers cars and a place to piddle so I don't need to roast my nuts, just take the edge off. Also if there are any you wanna suggest staying away from I'd appreciate those suggestions as well. Thanks.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You should be warned, electric heat is VERY EXPENSIVE to operate. Even 5-10 hours a month will make a noticeable difference in your bill.

 

[bobbyjean]

q-mark heaters are very solid-check evil bay for value

 

[KPS18]

q-mark heaters are very solid-check evil bay for value

Ok, thanks

 

[JRC3]

Thread I stated last winter.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347448&highlight=sale&page=4

 

[KPS18]

Thread I stated last winter.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347448&highlight=sale&page=4

Great, I'll look through it. Thanks

 

[BillK]

What is your location ?

 

[KPS18]

What is your location ?

Indianapolis

 

[joe_padavano]

You should be warned, electric heat is VERY EXPENSIVE to operate. Even 5-10 hours a month will make a noticeable difference in your bill.

^^^THIS! It's almost cheaper to just burn dollar bills.

 

[lakeroadster]

Fahrenheat 5,000-Watt Unit Heater... I have two of them, here's a link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fahrenheat-5-000-Watt-Unit-Heater-FUH54/202043073

One of the heaters I've had for about 20 years.. they are bullet proof

 

[JRC3]

You should be warned, electric heat is VERY EXPENSIVE to operate. Even 5-10 hours a month will make a noticeable difference in your bill.

^^^THIS! It's almost cheaper to just burn dollar bills.

Oh yeah, my two 240v 17,000 BTU 5,000 watt heaters running.

 

[Falcon67]

This is a Dayton G73 - about the same as the Farenheat 5K. It's been dropped from 8' up and still works, had it for about 10 years.

 

[KPS18]

^^^THIS! It's almost cheaper to just burn dollar bills.

Thanks, dollars or quarters what's the difference. We are all wasting money on some kind of heat. I mean this in a funny kind hearted way, no sacarsim.

 

[KPS18]

Oh yeah, my two 240v 17,000 BTU 5,000 watt heaters running.

I've been looking at these. With 600 sq ft insulated garage do you think the 5000 is ok or go with the 7,500. Keep in mind this won't run everyday for hours on end.

 

[KPS18]

This is a Dayton G73 - about the same as the Farenheat 5K. It's been dropped from 8' up and still works, had it for about 10 years.

I've actually been looking at this one as well, yeah it has a rash or 2

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Not to be obtuse....but that heater requires 240 Volts and a 30 amp circuit, right?

Just wanted to make sure OP has that available.

5KW/hour is like, what, $.60 or $.70 per hour of operation. So...if you use it only when you're out in the garage...say 15 hours a week through the winter....that's between $100 and $200 of power. You won't have to rob a bank or anything.

If you leave it on 24 X 7 X the whole winter though...you'd be looking more $1000 ish for the power figuring a 50% average on time for about 4 months.

PHil

 

[Stuart in MN]

I think Oldwizard1 monitors this section 24 hours a day, just so he can be the first person in every discussion to point out that electric heat is expensive. Like HoosierBuddy points out, the actual cost all depends on the usage.

Qmark and Berko are the two brands I specify most of the time on projects. Dayton and Farenheat are fine as well.

 

[KPS18]

Not to be obtuse....but that heater requires 240 Volts and a 30 amp circuit, right?

Just wanted to make sure OP has that available.

5KW/hour is like, what, $.60 or $.70 per hour of operation. So...if you use it only when you're out in the garage...say 15 hours a week through the winter....that's between $100 and $200 of power. You won't have to rob a bank or anything.

If you leave it on 24 X 7 X the whole winter though...you'd be looking more $1000 ish for the power figuring a 50% average on time for about 4 months.

PHil

Yeah thanks, I'm roughed in for 30amp & 40amp 220 so I have choices. Per my OP this isn't a shop, 2 cars in the garage and a little bench to sit at in the 3rd bay.

 

[KPS18]

I think Oldwizard1 monitors this section 24 hours a day, just so he can be the first person in every discussion to point out that electric heat is expensive. Like HoosierBuddy points out, the actual cost all depends on the usage.

Qmark and Berko are the two brands I specify most of the time on projects. Dayton and Farenheat are fine as well.

Ok great, I've looked at Qmark, I'll look into Berko. Thanks

 

[JRC3]

Hours:1
Power Use (Watts): 5000
Price (kWh): 0.10
-----------------------
$0.50 per hour.

10 cents per kWh is on the high side. Around here I'm pretty sure it around 5.5 cents or so. I'm too lazy to go look at the bill.

 

[KPS18]

Hours:1
Power Use (Watts): 5000
Price (kWh): 0.10
-----------------------
$0.50 per hour.

10 cents per kWh is on the high side. Around here I'm pretty sure it around 5.5 cents or so. I'm too lazy to go look at the bill.

Sweet, I'll contact Duke Energy and see what ours is

 

[KPS18]

I would load a pic but can't figure it out yet, have the file downloaded, well blow me down, don't know how that happened

 

[lakeroadster]

If you pull the cold vehicles out of the garage, the electric heater will work to take the chill off.

If you leave the cold vehicles in the garage, it will take the heater a long long time to warm the space. The mass of the cold vehicles is simply too great.

If you're going to work on a vehicle in the garage, pull the other vehicle(s) out and take the one you are going to work on out and drive it, bringing the vehicle up to temperature. Then pull it back into the garage.

If you goal is to just heat up your work space have you considered some sort of wall divider or double / triple bi-fold door arrangement?

 

[KPS18]

If you pull the cold vehicles out of the garage, the electric heater will work to take the chill off.

If you leave the cold vehicles in the garage, it will take the heater a long long time to warm the space. The mass of the cold vehicles is simply too great.

If you're going to work on a vehicle in the garage, pull the other vehicle(s) out and take the one you are going to work on out and drive it, bringing the vehicle up to temperature. Then pull it back into the garage.

If you goal is to just heat up your work space have you considered some sort of wall divider or double / triple bi-fold door arrangement?

That's a great idea, thanks. Im actually just looking for suggestions on electric heater manufacturers. It's not a shop of anykind just a place to go sit, drink a beer, look at the cars, message you guys on this forum, well you get the picture.
Just looking for a heater to knock the edge off the cold on occasion.

 

[finn]

Hours:1
Power Use (Watts): 5000
Price (kWh): 0.10
-----------------------
$0.50 per hour.

10 cents per kWh is on the high side. Around here I'm pretty sure it around 5.5 cents or so. I'm too lazy to go look at the bill.

Our rate is $.23 or $.24/kWh.

Send us some of that $.05/kWh electricity.

 

[BillK]

kp,
I have a Qmark 5000 w in my attached 22x22. It doesn't get quite as cold here as you guys do in Indy but it will heat my garage up pretty nicely. I have my Ham radio setup out there temporarily along with a workbench and if I use it a few night a week and some on weekends I really do not notice much of a difference on the electric bill.

 

[KPS18]

kp,
I have a Qmark 5000 w in my attached 22x22. It doesn't get quite as cold here as you guys do in Indy but it will heat my garage up pretty nicely. I have my Ham radio setup out there temporarily along with a workbench and if I use it a few night a week and some on weekends I really do not notice much of a difference on the electric bill.

Great thanks, sounds about like how much I'll be using it.

 

[joe_padavano]

Thanks, dollars or quarters what's the difference. We are all wasting money on some kind of heat. I mean this in a funny kind hearted way, no sacarsim.

Understand. My point was that electric resistance heat is probably THE most expensive type of heat you can install. Just about every other type will cost less to operate. Granted the electric is easiest to install, but that cost difference will be overcome in a hurry.

 

[yeldogt]

I have the Marley PH4AB in one of my spaces -- it's a switchable 2k/4k heater with a thermostat/cord 220vplug. They sell it at home depot. I now use it in conjunction with a propane unit for a quick warm up -- but at one time it was the only heater. I like the two outputs -- would maintain the temp in the space with units thermostat and set on high .... use the heater on continuous (low) when in the space.

Also -- don't discount a simple non fan 110v resistance on the floor under a bench when siting and working. I still use one in the winter when working on designs and not moving around much ... it's only on when i'm at my bench.

The size and cost is all about the size/ insulation and leakage -- and outside temp.

 

[KPS18]

I have the Marley PH4AB in one of my spaces -- it's a switchable 2k/4k heater with a thermostat/cord 220vplug. They sell it at home depot. I now use it in conjunction with a propane unit for a quick warm up -- but at one time it was the only heater. I like the two outputs -- would maintain the temp in the space with units thermostat and set on high .... use the heater on continuous (low) when in the space.

Also -- don't discount a simple non fan 110v resistance on the floor under a bench when siting and working. I still use one in the winter when working on designs and not moving around much ... it's only on when i'm at my bench.

The size and cost is all about the size/ insulation and leakage -- and outside temp.

Yep, that's what I've done in the past, torpedo heater to knock it down real quick then I have one of the those double Colmane propane cylinder radiant heaters. I'll look into the heaters you mentioned. Thanks

 

[yeldogt]

Yep, that's what I've done in the past, torpedo heater to knock it down real quick then I have one of the those double Colmane propane cylinder radiant heaters. I'll look into the heaters you mentioned. Thanks

My propane is a sealed combustion wall unit -- not a stand alone or ventless propane. My electric rates are very high (almost .20) ... so the propane was cheaper to keep the space at 55-60. I don't have NG. With propane cheaper currently -- let it take care of the studio and keep it warmer.

Often, when working, just having a steady flow of warm air in my direction was enough to keep me happy vs heating the whole shop to 70. When propane was $4 gallon I did not keep the space as warm as I only used it on the weekends. If I arrived at the house on Friday and wanted to work right away -- the electric was great to have blowing in my direction and having the two outputs was nice.

Having the ability to have different outputs is great. Some guys keep the space very cold and want a big heater running to try and warm up fact -- I find this to be uncomfortable. I was either too hot or too cold .... I did not see much overall savings. I don't want a warm shop and cold tools -- that's what I found with too big a heater. The big heater would heat up the air and turn off -- everything was still too cold.

 

[rburke65]

I think Oldwizard1 monitors this section 24 hours a day, just so he can be the first person in every discussion to point out that electric heat is expensive. Like HoosierBuddy points out, the actual cost all depends on the usage.

Qmark and Berko are the two brands I specify most of the time on projects. Dayton and Farenheat are fine as well.

You also noticed? I've asked what he pays for electric a few times and have never gotten an answer.