Garage heater

[BigChevy80]

I just got done insulating my 30x30 attached garage and would like to get a permanent ceiling mounted heater set up in there now that it's freezing cold outside.

I was at Menards the other day looking at a 45,000 BTU unit made by Beacon-Morris. I've also seen the Modine "Hot Dawg" and another similar unit made by Reznor.

Anyone have experience with these heaters? Good/bad? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

-Tony

 

[little jimmy]

I have a 28x20 insulated garage with the hot dawg d45 it works great. I did the horizontal vent so it was a easy vent job. I really like the diagnostics that the heater has. The light blinks and tells you what is wrong. I have read that people think it is to noisy but I dont think its bad at all. I leave it set at 45 most of the time but can heat it up to 70 in about 20 minutes if I need to thaw a vehical out. The only thing that really took much time was converting it from natural gas to propane. Make sure to read and follow the steps. You will need a conversion kit if you want to use propane and they do offer a complete vent kit for sale but you can pick up the parts for a little less if your comfortable with doing it yourself. Good luck

 

[rob67gto]

I have a Reznor in my 24 x 24 garage. It is brand new and this is the start of it's first winter. So far I am happy, it seems to work well. The temperature outside is about 15F and the thermostat is set at 55F. The heater comes on a lot (about every 20 minutes for 3-4 minutes). I don't know if that's normal. I didn't build the garage and I think there is likely only one layer of insulation everywhere. I do know that this is the case in the attic.

Anyways, I do recommend Reznor. They look and sound good. I'll let you know more after I get my first gas bill! lol

 

[Torque1st]

Have you tried looking in the Garage Heating and Cooling forum here?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26

 

[freewheeler]

I have had the Modine Hot Dawg for about five years in my garage and love it. I only heat it when I am going to be working out there. It only takes about 20 min. to bring it up to 55 degrees.

 

[bd8134]

I got a Sterling 45,000 propane heater as they are made in MA.
Not exactly quiet but not loud, works well with a wall thermostat.
So much better than a torpedo heater.
I got it from here.
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/heater-compare.shtml
With their venting, recommend.

 

[rinker1]

I have had the Modine Hot Dawg for about five years in my garage and love it. I only heat it when I am going to be working out there. It only takes about 20 min. to bring it up to 55 degrees.

What size garage are you heating and how many btu is your hot dawg?

 

[isaac338]

I have a Reznor in my 24 x 24 garage. It is brand new and this is the start of it's first winter. So far I am happy, it seems to work well. The temperature outside is about 15F and the thermostat is set at 55F. The heater comes on a lot (about every 20 minutes for 3-4 minutes). I don't know if that's normal. I didn't build the garage and I think there is likely only one layer of insulation everywhere. I do know that this is the case in the attic.

Anyways, I do recommend Reznor. They look and sound good. I'll let you know more after I get my first gas bill! lol

What is the size of the Reznor unit? I'm looking at one of those for my shop...

 

[rob67gto]

What is the size of the Reznor unit? I'm looking at one of those for my shop...

It is the smallest one, 30,000 BTU with vertical power vent. The garage has 9 ft ceilings and the heater is mounted hanging from the ceiling in one corner.

 

[Matti]

I've got the HotDawg 45,000 in my 24x26 and it works fine. I've only had it running for a month. My friend has a garage about the same size as yours and he runs the 60,000 btu unit.

 

[sam 8]

X2 on the Reznor. My shop is 1320 sq. ft. and I have a 125k Reznor.
This is the first winter with it, I love it so far.

 

[Derald Rice]

I have the Hot Dawg 60,000btu in a 42 x 24. I keep it at 50, and raise it to 65 when I plan on working. Takes about 45 min to get warmed up. It is a little noisy when operating, but otherwise has been flawless.

 

[Dogberry01]

I think you are low on btu's. 30x30 = 900sqft. When I was looking to buy mine 75,000 was recomended for 960sqft. A smaller unit will run more to try and keep up.

 

[Torque1st]

For a garage running a little undersized on the HVAC equipment is probably OK. I run a little undersize even in my house. This causes the units to run more often and even continuously at times but the increased air circulation keeps the area more comfortable. I do not mind loosing a few degrees on the hottest or coldest days. I also do not get the fast cool down or warm up but the increased comfort from the increased circulation is worth it. The cost savings for a smaller unit is also worth it.

 

[BigChevy80]

Sorry guys, I forgot there was a separate forum for heating and cooling. I put a post over there instead.

 

[Torque1st]

Maybe you can get the moderators to combine the posts for you.

 

[PurdueSD]

I think you are low on btu's. 30x30 = 900sqft. When I was looking to buy mine 75,000 was recomended for 960sqft. A smaller unit will run more to try and keep up.

Where are you getting your heat load calc from? 75K is too much for 900 sqft, if he has a sealed garage and insulation.

 

[freewheeler]

Rinker1, I have the 60,000 btu unit and my garage is 24x 36 with 10 ft ceiling and 3 9x7 doors. I am located in northern Vermont about 6 miles from the Canadian border.

 

[6768rogues]

I have a 36 by 48 building with a 14 foot ceiling and I use a Reznor hanging natural gas heater. It works fine and has not let me down in 13 years.

 

[lh4x4]

I put in a Modine 45K btu three years ago. The contractor had both Modine and Rezznor. I had asked for the Rezznor. He quoted the same price for both but said over time he had more calls over the controls on the Rezznor. I went ahead with the Modine and it has worked faultlessly.

The garage is 1,500 sq ft with a 12 ft ceiling. The 45K btu only has to run about once an hour in the coldest of winter days. I have R40 in the ceiling and R30 in the walls.

I keep it at 65.

 

[Torque1st]

I put in a Modine 45K btu three years ago. The contractor had both Modine and Rezznor. I had asked for the Rezznor. He quoted the same price for both but said over time he had more calls over the controls on the Rezznor. I went ahead with the Modine and it has worked faultlessly.

The garage is 1,500 sq ft with a 12 ft ceiling. The 45K btu only has to run about once an hour in the coldest of winter days. I have R40 in the ceiling and R30 in the walls.

I keep it at 65.

They seriously overestimated the size of that unit. Of course that meant more $$$ for the contractor.

 

[hidollartoys]

They seriously overestimated the size of that unit. Of course that meant more $$$ for the contractor.

That is 30 btu's/sqft and is below the standard "rule of thumb" heating needs for the cold zone in KC. Without actually doing a load calculation, I think this size is spot on with the amount of insulation he has.

 

[Torque1st]

That is 30 btu's/sqft and is below the standard "rule of thumb" heating needs for the cold zone in KC. Without actually doing a load calculation, I think this size is spot on with the amount of insulation he has.

"Rule of thumb" is OK for a rough estimate. Actual calculations are much better. Even then I find most calculations and "rules of thumb" overestimate the actual need. In a garage who cares if the heater can not keep it 75°F in the garage when the temperature is -20 outside here, 65 is good enough.

 

[e-tek]

I ALSO run a Reznor 45K in 1000sq ft with 11 ft walls and LOVE IT. So glad I went this way vs. in-floor or radiant tube. I have it set to 7C/45F all the time and then turn it up to 15C/62F for working in. It heats it up in under 10 minutes. I also keep a small fan running on the other end of the shop to keep the heat even.

 

[canmorechef]

Hey Chevy
I have a 24x24 detached Garage here in Canada, did all the insulation and dry wall. Just got a Hot Dog 45,000 BTU installed. The weather up here has been -24 celcius on avaerage for the last 2 weeks. Have not had the thermostat bast 60F and the garage is toasty warm. Cost me 2100 canadian for the total install. Quiet unit and takes up minimal roof space.

Chef

 

[C.Plavan]

I'm curious and do not have a clue. Is it safe running a propane heater in a closed garage? I'm worried about Carbon Monoxcide.

 

[PurdueSD]

I'm curious and do not have a clue. Is it safe running a propane heater in a closed garage? I'm worried about Carbon Monoxcide.

You want a direct vent for this reason as well as explosion prevention...hah

Most the Mr heater type heaters are direct vent with a powered exhaust squirrel cage fan. This is why most are only 80% efficient. You loose the heated exhaust gasses out the vent.

 

[Matti]

IIRC the btu requirements for my 24x26/11 foot ceilings/R28/R40/R16 door garage was 10,000 with a 100F delta (-30/+70F). I guess it should be no surprise that a 45,000 btu unit would handle it.