Forced Air Heater - Why mount on ceiling?

[tryme96z]

I have been doing a lot of reading on here regarding heating garages (forced, radiant, location, fuel, whose mom recommends what). One thing that has stood out to me as I go about setting up a garage for heating (2nd time I have done this) regarding heater placement.

Why do we place forced air heating units at the ceiling when we all know hot air rises? Shouldn’t we place the heaters low to the ground? The only reasons I can think of to stay high are: head room, attempt to reduce dust being kicked up, and/or we love floor space.

 

[Grizzly Guy]

looks like to me you answered your own question,maybe

 

[jeep_boy02]

Heat rises yes but its not like that heater just leaks out hot air, its blows it out so you get an air circulation going on.

 

[dfiler2]

One more reason is many garages have gas cans, propane bottles and other flammable liquids many of which are heavier than air. Keeping the ignition source high is partly for safety.

 

[gungatim]

well for me, I like tools and machines, so a hanging furnace is better than a hanging tool box which can be hard to get to at times...

 

[lutter94]

Hang your furnace, but duct it to the floor. Best of both worlds.

 

[tryme96z]

Hang your furnace, but duct it to the floor. Best of both worlds.

That actually is one of the things I was considering.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Floorspace...plain & Simple.
I'd honestly prefer a hanging OIL Fired heater...would LOVE one, but such a beast doesn't exist...so I'm gonna settle for a LP Fired Hot-Dawg.

 

[Chevy-SS]

It's absolutely the most practical way to mount. It's up high because nothing else is ever mounted up there, thus nothing will ever obstruct the furnace.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Floorspace...plain & Simple.
I'd honestly prefer a hanging OIL Fired heater...would LOVE one, but such a beast doesn't exist...so I'm gonna settle for a LP Fired Hot-Dawg.

Used/Waste oil furnace. They will run just fine on heating oil, just turn the preheater off.

Charles

 

[finn]

The blower circulates the air better with no obstructions and hanging the unit frees up floor space.

A ducted system would provide better air distribution, but at considerable added cost.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Floor space.

 

[greenbikemike]

Gas vapor will sink and hug the floor and could cause a fire if you have an open flame down low.I think it's 18" off the floor is code,but I'm not sure.
Having it out of the way helps too,but safety is the main reason I think.
Greenbikemike

 

[yaidunno]

As others have mentioned, its mounted off the floor due to the explosive vapors that are likely to be in your garage. Code calls for 18" off the floor on an open ignition system. Check your local codes, they could be more stringent on the requirements.

Freeing up floor space is just an added bonus.

 

[brewchief]

Floorspace...plain & Simple.
I'd honestly prefer a hanging OIL Fired heater...would LOVE one, but such a beast doesn't exist...so I'm gonna settle for a LP Fired Hot-Dawg.

Modine, reznor, sterling and beacon morris all have them.

 

[ddawg16]

Because you have too much **** on the floor......

Direct the air down. One way or the other, it will rise.

 

[dave67fd]

Most if not all GAS fired "garage" heaters normally have a minimum 8 foot clearance off the floor to eliminate a vehicle (of sorts) from crashing into it, rupturing a gas line and burning the place down.

 

[JohnnieMo]

I have a down draft furnace in mine and I love it. It is getting old though and I'm looking to replace. I have exactly the same thought as you - why put the heat up at the roof.

I really enjoy working under a car and having the heat blowing right at me.

Of note I called the City of Calgary and they confirmed that the source of ignition can't be lower than 18" off the floor.

Sent from my Passport

 

[CKS1955]

I run a ceiling fan on low (set to winter rotation) to circulate the heated air down.

Jay

 

[gungatim]

I run a ceiling fan on low (set to winter rotation) to circulate the heated air down.

Jay

I do the same, really helps once it is warmed up with the wood stove to get the heat from the ceiling down closer to the floor...