Garage electric heater

[STICandy]

I had been planning to install an A/C mini split system with heat pump for my 18' x 18' x 12' garage.

It is not completely out of the question yet but it is out of budget for the time being. Right now I'm going to run conduit in the wall to the (future) A/C system.

That brings me to my question now.

I am looking for a roof mounted electric heater system. I am looking for a unit that is/can be thermostatically controlled.

I was looking at this one:

http://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...rial-ceiling-mount-garage-heater/A-p8548976e#

The only problem being it isn't thermostat controlled. Can I add a thermostat?

You guys are a wealth of information so what do you suggest?

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[JRC3]

Never understood mounting heat high.

My old garage with 45k BTU NG mounted below the bench in the corner.

In my new house I've installed a tankless water heater and I'm pushing BTUs a bit so no NG in the garage. I have 200A out there so I might do 2-3 electric heaters. I'd still mount them low, and one or so below the bench. Heat should be located low in my book.

 

[Westbank]

This heater is hardwired so you can control it via a line voltage thermostat or a low voltage (24V) thermostat. If you want to use a low voltage thermostat you will need a relay/transformer.

This heater is similar to the Dragon Ceiling Fan Heater (made by StelPro). I'm not a fan of this type of heater but they do work if the area is not too big.

 

[STICandy]

This heater is hardwired so you can control it via a line voltage thermostat or a low voltage (24V) thermostat. If you want to use a low voltage thermostat you will need a relay/transformer.

This heater is similar to the Dragon Ceiling Fan Heater (made by StelPro). I'm not a fan of this type of heater but they do work if the area is not too big.

What heater?

Yeah I guess I should have mentioned the area is only 18' x 18' x 12' high

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[Westbank]

What heater?

Yeah I guess I should have mentioned the area is only 18' x 18' x 12' high

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The heater in your first post.

 

[STICandy]

The heater in your first post.

Oh OK sorry. Why are you not a fan?

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[Westbank]

Oh OK sorry. Why are you not a fan?

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The efficiency of this type of heater will highly depend on your ceiling height. I have a friend who has the StelPro Dragon heater which is really similar to the one you posted (from Princess Auto). He has 10ft ceilings and the heater is mainly heating the center of the garage. The coverage is not the best.

 

[STICandy]

The efficiency of this type of heater will highly depend on your ceiling height. I have a friend who has the StelPro Dragon heater which is really similar to the one you posted (from Princess Auto). He has 10ft ceilings and the heater is mainly heating the center of the garage. The coverage is not the best.

OK well that's great to know. I have 12' ceilings so maybe this isn't the option for me.

I was also considering the fahrenheat fuh54 heater and mount it over my door to the house. Is this a better option?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0000AXEZV/?tag=atomicindus04-20



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[James-W]

Where do you live and how much insulation do you have in the garage? From the pictures it looks like you don't have any insulation.

 

[STICandy]

Where do you live and how much insulation do you have in the garage? From the pictures it looks like you don't have any insulation.

That is correct. I have none. It is however being sprayed in 3 weeks with R31 in the ceiling, 20 on the back wall and 14 on the rest. I live east of Toronto.

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[James-W]

That is correct. I have none. It is however being sprayed in 3 weeks with R31 in the ceiling, 20 on the back wall and 14 on the rest. I live east of Toronto.

The spray foam insulation will be a HUGE asset in keeping the garage warm in the Winter and cooler in the Summer months.

One thing to keep in mind is that the heat will rise and with 12 foot ceilings you may need to put in a couple ceiling fans in order to blow the heat back down again. Otherwise the heat will be concentrated on the ceiling where it won't be doing you a whole lot of good.

I would suggest having more than one electric heater, installed in opposite corners of the garage. Try to find heaters that have powerful fans that can blow the warm air fairly far. You want to blow the warm air out and down as far as you can from the heater. That way the warm air can blow out and down and hit the floor before it begins its rise to the ceiling. With a couple properly spaced ceiling fans to blow the warm air back down, you should have reasonably even heat throughout the garage.

 

[rburke65]

Curious as to what are your electrical cost per KW hour in Toronto?

 

[thickhead]

The King KBP2406 I got is worth a look - seems to do a good job and is fairly quiet. I'd buy it again.

 

[STICandy]

The King KBP2406 I got is worth a look - seems to do a good job and is fairly quiet. I'd buy it again.

What are the specs on your garage (dimensions and insulation)

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[STICandy]

Curious as to what are your electrical cost per KW hour in Toronto?

No idea, but it's not cheap. That said, I've tapped out the gas main so unless I'm ready to upgrade, no more ng appliances.

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[thickhead]

What are the specs on your garage (dimensions and insulation)

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24x24 with ceiling vaulted to 10.5'
Fiberglass insulated 2x4 walls and 2x6 rafters.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Electric resistance heat is the most expensive way to heat any interior space.

 

[dslabuda]

Electric resistance heat is the most expensive way to heat any interior space.

I thought about this as well and but electric is comparatively cheap here (I'm not sure about the OP's area). Plus for the amount of time I'd actually be using it vs the install costs to bring gas to the other end of the house plus the vent, electric seems to be a better choice in this case.

I really wish I had the time to spend in the garage like some members here. As it stands I get maybe a day or two every week or so. Only 21 years to go before retirement. Until then I'll live vicariously through this forum.

/threadjack

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[Stuart in MN]

Electric resistance heat is the most expensive way to heat any interior space.

True, but the original poster has a pretty small garage and it will be well insulated - finding a natural gas heater small enough for the space may be an issue. He also mentions his gas main doesn't have extra capacity. Finally, this is an assumption but if the garage is only heated intermittently (like when he's out there working on projects) the electric costs aren't as big an issue.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

No idea, but it's not cheap. That said, I've tapped out the gas main so unless I'm ready to upgrade, no more ng appliances.

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Please define "tapped out the gas main".

Phil

 

[STICandy]

I thought about this as well and but electric is comparatively cheap here (I'm not sure about the OP's area). Plus for the amount of time I'd actually be using it vs the install costs to bring gas to the other end of the house plus the vent, electric seems to be a better choice in this case.

/threadjack

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I totally agree with this statement

True, but the original poster has a pretty small garage and it will be well insulated - finding a natural gas heater small enough for the space may be an issue. He also mentions his gas main doesn't have extra capacity. Finally, this is an assumption but if the garage is only heated intermittently (like when he's out there working on projects) the electric costs aren't as big an issue.

Yes this is my thinking too. I'll probably keep it just above freezing (5-7*C) so I can leave my pressure washer out there and not worry about freezing up. I'll turn it up when I'm out there working on the car but it isn't more than once or twice a week at that.
This is part of the reason I opted for very good insulation hoping for low energy costs.

Please define "tapped out the gas main".

Phil

As in I have already exhausted the capacity of my gas line from the street. It would have to be upgraded. I barely snuck in when I put the hot water on demand system in.

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[HoosierBuddy]

As in I have already exhausted the capacity of my gas line from the street. It would have to be upgraded. I barely snuck in when I put the hot water on demand system in.

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Not something I have ever seen in the 20 plus years I've worked for the gas company...a natural gas service that needs upsized for a home.

You might find that the limiting factor is the gas meter and not the service line. I would recommend you talk to someone that really knows their "stuff" at the gas co...and find out for sure....because forced air gas is going to be about 1/3 the operational cost of forced air electric. If all else fails, ask to speak to an engineer or local manager. They will know.

Phil

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'll probably keep it just above freezing (5-7*C)

Make sure the heater thermostat can be set that low. The thermostats normally supplied with those kinds of heaters typically only can be set down to around 50 degrees F / 10 degrees C. Thermostats that can be set lower than that are available, but it's something to be aware of when you buy.

 

[STICandy]

Make sure the heater thermostat can be set that low. The thermostats normally supplied with those kinds of heaters typically only can be set down to around 50 degrees F / 10 degrees C. Thermostats that can be set lower than that are available, but it's something to be aware of when you buy.

That's interesting. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. That should be something that can be addressed with a seperate line voltage thermostat I assume?...

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[STICandy]

Not something I have ever seen in the 20 plus years I've worked for the gas company...a natural gas service that needs upsized for a home.

You might find that the limiting factor is the gas meter and not the service line. I would recommend you talk to someone that really knows their "stuff" at the gas co...and find out for sure....because forced air gas is going to be about 1/3 the operational cost of forced air electric. If all else fails, ask to speak to an engineer or local manager. They will know.

Phil

Yeah Phil, now that you mention it, I believe that was the problem. The meter would need to be replaced to run anymore natural gas appliances

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[Bigbandguy]

Forgive my ignorance on the topic but why not simply restrict use of the demand water heater while you are heating the garage? That could be accomplished with a valve on a Y connector if you could not get the message across to other members of the household.
If the water heater is restricted from use it would appear that there would be plenty of gas to get the garage warm... maybe you could heat it with gas and maintain it with an electric.. Just a thought.