Fahrenheat Ceiling Mount Electrical Garage Heater

[Mathelo]

I wanted a small heater for my garage during the winter. I found the Fahrenheat Ceiling Mount Automatic Electrical Garage Heater, Mfr # FUH5-4. The common price at Amazon and others is around $270.00. I found it at Blain's Farm & Fleet for $239.00 after shipping. A good price. This is a seasonal item for Blain and is only available through 12/31.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/product...ic-electrical-garage-heater.html#.ULtgqYNrp8H

Louis

 

[Bull]

What size space are you heating, and with what insulation? How is it working for you?

The price really jumps when you select the 7500 watt unit.

 

[Mathelo]

What size space are you heating, and with what insulation? How is it working for you?

The price really jumps when you select the 7500 watt unit.

I've only just ordered it so I don't know yet how it will work for me, but ...

It's a 2 car garage of just under 500 square feet. It's partially insulated and under the living area of the house, which keeps it warmer than if detached.

All the reviews I've read state that 5000 watts is plenty in the worst of condition.

Louis

 

[unslow1]

I think I would get two 5000's instead of one 7500. It's almost the same price. It didn't say but I would imagine it runs on 220v not 110v. Does anyone know for sure? I don't think you can get over 1500 watts without going to 220v. Amp draw?

 

[ishiboo]

Menards sells a 5000W for $198 regular price. Looks kinda cooler too.

 

[Mathelo]

I think I would get two 5000's instead of one 7500. It's almost the same price. It didn't say but I would imagine it runs on 220v not 110v. Does anyone know for sure? I don't think you can get over 1500 watts without going to 220v. Amp draw?

It's 220 volts. Draws a fairly steady 22 amps. I'm confident that one 5,000 watt unit will be sufficient for my purposes and the reviews I've read indicate that most people feel the same way.

Louis

 

[ishiboo]

I think I would get two 5000's instead of one 7500. It's almost the same price. It didn't say but I would imagine it runs on 220v not 110v. Does anyone know for sure? I don't think you can get over 1500 watts without going to 220v. Amp draw?

You likely won't find one that size in 120v, but it's certainly possible. 240v at the same wattage is half the current, so a much smaller wire is required.

Amp draw is simply watts divided by voltage. 5000W / 240v = 21A for the heating element. That would be 42A at 120v.

 

[unslow1]

Thanks for the formula. Handy information to have. I'm surprised I didn't know that.

 

[Mathelo]

Amp draw is simply watts divided by voltage. 5000W / 240v = 21A for the heating element. That would be 42A at 120v.

42A would require some pretty hefty wiring!

 

[Bull]

I only have a 60 amp panel in my garage. I have one 220 outlet for my compressor. Think I'd have to upgrade the panel if I try one of these? I don't have a problem with being careful about other power consumption while the heater is going. Most often it would just be some fluorescent lights and maybe a single power tool at a time.

 

[Midnight_America]

I've had that FAhrenheat 5000W heater installed in my 2-car garage since 1993. Back then it wasn't called Fahrenheat, it was just called a Marley Electric 5000W Heater. Just turn it on 1/2-hour or so before you're going to start working in the garage. Just make sure that the vehicle you plan on working on is already in the garage before you turn the heater on, since once you open the garage door, all the heat you've built up goes bye bye. My garage has average insulation and if it's freezing outside, the heater can increase the garage temperature approx 1 degree every 60-90 seconds on average. Before rewiring years ago, I ran my compressor and Heater on the same 240V circuit. I would just shut the heater off when it was time to use the compressor. To turn off the Heater, just lower the thermostat until you hear it click and let the heater go through its cool down cycle (fan runs but the power to the heating elements is de-energized). The heating elements last a lot longer that way. Many users of the Marley or Fahrenheat have added external thermostats in such a way that, when the desired garage temperature is reached, power shuts off to both the fan and heating elements in the heater. This shortens the life of the heating elements. You are not going to get a better 240V electric heater for your money. Get the 5000W unit...you will love it..Be warned, if you're going to use it 24/7 to heat the garage, be ready for sticker shock when your electric bill arrives.

 

[Bull]

I've had that FAhrenheat 5000W heater installed in my 2-car garage since 1993. Back then it wasn't called Fahrenheat, it was just called a Marley Electric 5000W Heater. Just turn it on 1/2-hour or so before you're going to start working in the garage. Just make sure that the vehicle you plan on working on is already in the garage before you turn the heater on, since once you open the garage door, all the heat you've built up goes bye bye. My garage has average insulation and if it's freezing outside, the heater can increase the garage temperature approx 1 degree every 60-90 seconds on average. Before rewiring years ago, I ran my compressor and Heater on the same 240V circuit. I would just shut the heater off when it was time to use the compressor. To turn off the Heater, just lower the thermostat until you hear it click and let the heater go through its cool down cycle (fan runs but the power to the heating elements is de-energized). The heating elements last a lot longer that way. Many users of the Marley or Fahrenheat have added external thermostats in such a way that, when the desired garage temperature is reached, power shuts off to both the fan and heating elements in the heater. This shortens the life of the heating elements. You are not going to get a better 240V electric heater for your money. Get the 5000W unit...you will love it..Be warned, if you're going to use it 24/7 to heat the garage, be ready for sticker shock when your electric bill arrives.

Great info here. What kind of electric bills have you dealt with while using this? Why do you recommend the 5000W heater over the 7500W?

I'm not too handy electrically; how did the heater and compressor share the same circuit, wiring-wise? This sounds exactly like what I'd want to do.

 

[Midnight_America]

Great info here. What kind of electric bills have you dealt with while using this? Why do you recommend the 5000W heater over the 7500W?


I'm not too handy electrically; how did the heater and compressor share the same circuit, wiring-wise? This sounds exactly like what I'd want to do.

I recommend the 5000W over the 7500W because I don't think you need the larger unit based on the size of your garage.

The heater draws 5000W, so if your supplier charges $.10/kilowatt, it will cost you $.50/hour to run or $12/24-hr day to run, assuming it runs constantly and never shuts off. Running constantly will not be the case though. I don't leave mine on constantly in the winter, I turn it on only when I need it. Since my electric bill is in the hundreds of dollars each month, it's hard to give a cumulative monetary figure of what the heater adds to the bill. You need to do the math for your specific energy costs and heater run times.

I hardwired the 240V heater to two breakers in my subpanel using 10 gauge stranded. I also wired a NEMA 6-20P receptacle to that same circuit. The compressor plugged into the receptacle. Both were on the same circuit, but I never allowed them to run simultaneously.

If you're not too handy electrically, have a friend or a pro hook things up and watch carefully what they're doing and how they do it....it's the best way to learn.

 

[olytdi]

I, too, have the 5000w in my 28 x 28 shop. Because it's temperate here, I've never quite been motivated enought to get a "real" forced air gas unit.

Definitely 220v. Mine will make it tee shirt comfy with it 32 deg outside in about 20 - 30 minutes. But man, does that meter spin!

I think that the 5000w units are a better price point per watt.

Consider a dedicated circuit with a switch.

 

[Mathelo]

For me it is just occasional use so I'm not too concerned about the electricity used but I'll always be aware. Just knowing the meter is spinning ...

 

[Mekhanic1]

I've had the 220v 5k unit for 5 years now in a 20x20 space with minimal insulation. It heats the space very well from 20 degrees to 60 degrees in minutes.