Electric Radiant Heat

[BoCRon]

Well my DH had to take my small garage heater (oscillating heater w/thermostat) down to the kennel building to keep the room with the water heater warm. I'm trying to decide on a way to heat the garage for occassional use this winter. Garage is 22'x22' and is insulated.I am in Georgia, so it doesn't get REALLY cold (well it's cold for me, but for you folks up north you'd probably still be in a Tshirt). I don't have gas out there so it will have to be electrical only. I am planning on putting in a PTAC unit with heat and A/C in the spring/summer, but that will depend on funds.
In the meantime, is something like this of any use? I was thinking of hanging this on the ceiling between the two vehicles, I could even do 2 units pretty easily. They cost about $60.00 each and have the added benefit of a light.
Here's a pic and the descriptions

Put radiant heat right where you need it, instantly. Convection heaters can take forever to warm your work area. Gas heaters are smelly and it’s like putting a jet engine in your garage, shop or basement. Quartz, radiant heat is quiet, efficient and creates large comfort zones of warmth. Plug heater into 115V AC grounded outlet. Comes with exclusive ceiling mount that rotates from 45 to 90 degrees and a bracket that swivels 360 degrees to deliver heat exactly where you want it. Turn on just the light, or turn on one quartz tube for 750 watts, or both tubes for 1500 watts, 5,122 BTU’s. Safety shut-off sensor. Measures 23”l x 10”h x 3”w. Made in China.

Price: $59.95

Thanks all,
Annette

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I bought my Dad 2 1500W heaters for his 2-car garage. They worked to hold it at a comfortable temperature for occasional use. I'd say you're on the right track.

Phil

 

[EdNJ]

I bought the version without a light at Home Depot this past weekend,it was around $40 or $45. I'll probably pick up a second one soon,I doubt a single unit will radiate over a 2-car wide garage (mine's around 24' wide).

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I bought the version without a light at Home Depot this past weekend,it was around $40 or $45. I'll probably pick up a second one soon,I doubt a single unit will radiate over a 2-car wide garage (mine's around 24' wide).

One thing I should mention...you'll have to plug them into seperate circuits. 2 X 1500 Watts = 3000 Watts

3000 Watts/120 Volts = 25 amps

Your breakers are either 15 amps on 14 gauge wire or 20 amps on 12 gauge. If you plug them both into recepticles served by the same breaker, it will trip your breaker.

That's why electric heaters max out at 1500 watts...so they can be run on a 15 amp circuit. Come to think of it, I think generic recepticals are only rated at 15 amps apiece.

Phil

 

[EdNJ]

One thing I should mention...you'll have to plug them into seperate circuits. 2 X 1500 Watts = 3000 Watts

3000 Watts/120 Volts = 25 amps

Your breakers are either 15 amps on 14 gauge wire or 20 amps on 12 gauge. If you plug them both into recepticles served by the same breaker, it will trip your breaker.

That's why electric heaters max out at 1500 watts...so they can be run on a 15 amp circuit. Come to think of it, I think generic recepticals are only rated at 15 amps apiece.

Phil

Glad you mentioned that Phil
There are two seperate circuits in the garage,I'll either wire the second unit seperately or run both at the lower 750watt setting if connected to the same circuit.

 

[BoCRon]

Thanks for the info! Since I'm planning on 2, I'll make sure to position them so I can use seperate circuits. It occurred to me that if these do the trick as far as heating, then maybe I can just buy a window A/C unit to use during summer. Then I can put the A/C unit away in the attic for winter and not have to look at it. During the summer, the window it would be in is pretty well hidden by a large hydrangea bush, but there is still plenty of airflow around the window.
Here's hoping!
Annette