Garage heating question

[kehrli3]

I have been lurking constantly on here looking at what everyone is doing for heat. I am undecided on doing a Modine Hot dawg propane or doing a mini split system. My heated area will be 40x40x10 with insulated walls(r19) and ceiling(r30). Building is located in Northeast Pennsylvania. What's you opinions, experience, etc?

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[theoldwizard1]

"You can pay me now or you can pay me later."

A building that big would really need 2 Hot Dawgs and 2 or more mini-split air handlers. The Hot Dawgs to install are cheap compared to the mini-split, but even though the price of propane may be lower than in past years, the Hot Dawgs will be much more expensive to operate.

Which is more cost effective depends on 1) do you want to maintain a constant temperature (say 50F), 2) is A/C a "nice to have" bonus. If YES either of those two questions, then a mini-split with at least 2 air handlers is the answer.

 

[Kevin54]

I have a 28'x36' w/ 2x4 walls and 8' ceilings, and I have a 45,000 Hamilton hanging heater. My addition is a 28'x36' w/10' walls and scissor trusses and I am going to put a secondary 65,000 btu heater in it. I kept my current garage doors on my existing garage so I can heat either one section or the new section, or open both garage doors and heat both sections. With having a 40'x40', you will really need two heaters, or one huge one that is pushing around 85,000 btu's. But even at that, the fan in the hanging heaters can only push the air so much. I would rather have two heaters and work each one less than having one heater and working it harder. also your thermostat placement will play a huge part in things. If it is close to the heater, your unit will shut down before the whole area is warm. If it is far away, it will be hot in the area of the heater by the time it is warm enough at the thermostat vicinity.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[kehrli3]

Much appreciated guys! Such a tough decision. I am probably way over thinking it like I do everything. Yes air would be "nice to have" but not a nessesity in my opinion. And I was actually looking to not keep a constant 50 degee temp. I was thinking more on the lines of heating when needed. We have been doing it that way in out race shop at my parents 40x40x12 for years. They have a pretty big Modine oil system in that. With heat turned off and shop is cold, you turn it on when you go in to work and 15-20 minutes it is at a comfortable temp. Decisions, decisions! Lol! I actually had one HVAC guy tell me a 24,000 but mini split would be plenty for my space. I was thinking higher myself. If I went with the Hot Dawg, I was thinking 60-80K btu. I just don't want to regret my decision. Don't have an unlimited budget to do it twice!

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[theoldwizard1]

... Yes air would be "nice to have" but not a necessity in my opinion. And I was actually looking to not keep a constant 50 degree temp. I was thinking more on the lines of heating when needed.

Then you likely would not be able to recover your investment for more than 10 years.