Garage Heater

[1967Chevelle]

I'm looking for a heater for my garage its 24'X22' ( 528 Square feet) , the garage is not insulated and not sure if I should go with a mobile propane heater or natural gas heater, I will only be using the heater when I'm working inside the garage. It gets pretty cold here any suggestions

 

[Stuart in MN]

Insulation is the first suggestion. Without it you're basically trying to heat up the entire outdoors. Second suggestion is to use a heater that is vented from outside, a portable heater will generate a ton of moisture inside as well as carbon monoxide.

 

[D45]

My dad has used a kerosene torpedo heater in his un-insulated garage for decades

It's loud, but it works

 

[pbon]

If uninsulated, a kerosene or propane portable is ok. I used them for years. I later insulated and the air got bad at times. I bought a vented natural gas shop heater that should be better though it does not have a cold air intake like the best ones.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I'd suggest looking into anywhere you can air seal and insulate before trying to heat. It'll pay for itself in the long run.

 

[txvwnut]

Insulate first, without insulation you’ll struggle to get the temp in the garage to where you can be comfortable.

 

[WaterBoyz]

Those heaters that attach to those 20# propane tanks produce a lot of moisture. Will make a difference if you seal/insulate the space.

 

[The Cobbler]

OP, where in southern Ontario are you located?
I have a small propane/ furnace that's looking for a new home.

 

[Lewisthepilgrim]

I have worked in every type of garage known to man. I also have LOTS of experience insulting! (everything from closed cell foam, rigid boards, cellulose etc etc)
If you want to be comfortable at ALL, you NEED to insulate that thing first.....The MORE the better!
If you are on a budget, fiberglass bats(though rock wool is WAY better, rock wool R value does not decrease with temperature like fiberglass) in the walls, and cellulose blown in for the attic is the BEST bang for your buck. If you buy 10 bags, you get to use the machine free. https://www.homedepot.com/p/GreenFi...w-in-Insulation-19-lbs-Bag-INS541LD/100318635
You can get away with one of these for heat to start, but because it is ventless you WILL get lots of moisture in the garage....not recommended to run these 24/7, but work GREAT while working! https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Gl...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJvP1oCv-N0CFYFpwQodtE8NaA

I run one of these in my 30x12 single car, it heats it up no problem. 100 bucks a month to keep it at 65 degrees 24/7 all winter long in NH https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579

I'm currently drawing up an in floor hydronic system for my new garage.....lots of planning involved

 

[n20junkie]

A ventless heater IMHO fuggin *****. They stink, to the point it makes people physically ill. We have all done the torpedo heater in a pinch, but for long term heat, a vented heater is wel worth the effort.

 

[n20junkie]

I have worked in every type of garage known to man. I also have LOTS of experience insulting! (everything from closed cell foam, rigid boards, cellulose etc etc)
If you want to be comfortable at ALL, you NEED to insulate that thing first.....The MORE the better!
If you are on a budget, fiberglass bats(though rock wool is WAY better, rock wool R value does not decrease with temperature like fiberglass) in the walls, and cellulose blown in for the attic is the BEST bang for your buck. If you buy 10 bags, you get to use the machine free. https://www.homedepot.com/p/GreenFi...w-in-Insulation-19-lbs-Bag-INS541LD/100318635
You can get away with one of these for heat to start, but because it is ventless you WILL get lots of moisture in the garage....not recommended to run these 24/7, but work GREAT while working! https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Gl...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJvP1oCv-N0CFYFpwQodtE8NaA

I run one of these in my 30x12 single car, it heats it up no problem. 100 bucks a month to keep it at 65 degrees 24/7 all winter long in NH https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579

I'm currently drawing up an in floor hydronic system for my new garage.....lots of planning involved

My attached garage has an electric heater. I only use it on the days I am doing stuff out there, but it does a really good job of heating, with zero stink and it maybe costs 25 bucks a month using it on the weekends and a weekday here or there.

 

[n20junkie]

Those heaters that attach to those 20# propane tanks produce a lot of moisture. Will make a difference if you seal/insulate the space.

Any combustion will make a TON of moisture. I fired off a 90k natural gas furnace inside my garage just to test it when the temp got down to 40 or so. It literally looked like my kids room humidifier with a 3 inch diameter stream of steam coming out of the exhaust.

Every metal surface will literally be dripping wet until the shop gets up to temperature and all of that moisture has combustion byproducts in it that make it more corrosive that water on it’s own.