Electric Infrared Heat

[alex71]

HI guys... I did some searching of the forum but can't find answers in existing threads, so here goes.

Last summer we bought a new house with a 3 car attached garage. It is fully insulated with 10 foot ceilings. I have converted the one-car bay to a shop, It is still open, but separated by a row of 6 vidmar cabinets, with pallet racking above them. What I really want is a mini-split, but because of a zoning issue that is outside the scope of this post I can't do it right now--hopefully I will be able to resolve that at some point and install the mini-split, but not now.

I want to have heat in there that I can leave on all the time with a thermostat. It needs to be electric for ease of install (no gas lines nearby, and I installed a 100 amp subpanel in there that has plenty of open slots). If I manage to solve my issue and put in a mini-split, I will likely remove whatever I wind up installing this year.

I was recommended this system, or something similar: https://heatinggreen.com/product/garage-heater-package-medium/

The goal is to keep the temperature in the garage in the 50s when not in use, and in the 60s when i'm in there.

What are everyone's thoughts on this? Will this accomplish what I want? I could hang both emitters in the shop area. I don't care as much about the 2-car side, but obviously since the it is only partially blocked there will be much leakage. If needed i can heat the other bay also, but don't want to unless it's necessary.

To give you an idea of what I have here, here are some pics. The first one is the view from the door to the house, looking through the 2-car bay. The two next pics are different views of the one-car bay. The last pic is shot from the end of the one-car bay back to the house. Located in Chicago. It gets cold in the winter.

Any insights appreciated.

 

[Jackfre]

What is your electric rate? Understand that heat goes to cold. Cabinets and racking will not prevent the heat going into the rest of the garage. I think I’d make a run at the HOA on this before winter and get the mini split approved. Will the electric IR’s heat the space? Sure, but it is going to cost you.

 

[alex71]

the issue is not the HOA. I'm the president of the HOA. It's a zoning issue, which is not easily overcome. Compared to the possible cost of resolving the zoning issue an extra $50 per month on my electric bill is nothing.

Assuming I can resolve the issue, I will install the mini split. My understanding is there are also issues with heating with the mini split in the winter regardless, so many people will use a supplemental heater anyway.

 

[Jackfre]

Ok. A kw is 3414 btu. The 2 1500’s are +/-3000btuh. I doubt that 3000btu are sufficient to heat that space in IL, especially with the bleed to the adjoining garage space. Curious that a mini-split is against a zoning restriction. Oh, and Alex, having been in that place for only a year and having that space built out like that…man, you are my new hero!

 

[alex71]

I didn't want to get into this too much, but the zoning issue is due to lot coverage. I'm over allowed 40% (bought the house that way). They won't let me add a 5sf pad I would need for the compressor without a zoning variation. Not worth it for this.

I'll have to do it anyway because I need to build a new deck, and I will roll the pad for the mini split compressor into that. If I don't get the variation, i have some serious problems. It's a huge and potentially extremely expensive headache.

 

[alex71]

Thanks... it's still a work in progress. I've thrown a lot of stuff in there that will take me forever to organize. not a problem as long as it isn't 40deg in there!

 

[jlv03]

If you hang the outside unit on stands, is that a zoning issue?

 

[alex71]

yeah, i asked about that. if it's over the dirt it counts as impervious ground coverage. it doesn't have to be touching.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

lol $50/mo. February will be more like $150. I've got a hanging heater in my insulated garage set to 40F, I turn it up when out there doing stuff. can't wait for the minisplit.

FYI you can wall-mount minisplits so its not on a stand. if you have eaves it may fit under those.

 

[Syberia]

yeah, i asked about that. if it's over the dirt it counts as impervious ground coverage. it doesn't have to be touching.

That's stupid. If hanging it high enough doesn't combat that, can you put it on the roof? Hang it above a walkway or something that's already "impervious?"

 

[alex71]

i can't put it on the roof, that's against HOA rules, and village ordinance - it has to be screened from view. It's also not the prettiest thing, and I have a cedar shake roof.

I have to build a new deck anyway, so I have no choice but to get my coverage issue resolved one way or another. Hopefully with a variance and not by removing my in ground pool

 

[American Locomotive]

What kind of heat does the main house have?

 

[alex71]

House has 2 zone gfa. After much deliberation I've decide to install a gfa heater in the garage... 75k BTU modine.

I will add the mini split when I can regardless. Next spring if all goes well. Can't hurt to have both...

 

[paulsomlo]

I have radiant electric panels http://www.sshcinc.com/. My shop is only 10'x21' and I have two 1kw panels. They're about 2'x8' and mounted down the center of the ceiling, end to end. They work well, kind of like having the sun on your shoulders, but they're expensive to run. I have three uninsulated brick walls, and I pay about $3/day to keep the heat on in the shop.

 

[bighouse01]

I’d use the brackets that hang the outside unit on the wall and tell them to F-off.