Garage Heating

[Outback2013]

Radiant Floor Heating

I am building a garage 26 x 40. Will be heating with a radiant floor system. I will have to heat with electricity, at 10.25/kw. There is no gas in this area. I have read about heat pump style hot water tanks, boilers, standard hot water tanks and quite frankly a bit lost as to which one is the best fit, generally speaking.

Presently our home has an 800 sq ft addition which I heat the basement with radiant floor heating. This system has 2 zones heated by a 40 gal hot water tank. It has worked seamlessly for 24 years. I also have a 40 gal domestic HWT. I am wondering if I install an 'indirect heating system' using an electric boiler or heat pump hybrid heater to heat our domestic water and then by use of a heat exchanger run two circuits to the in floor systems, via pumps to their tanks or directly to the floor.

So, bottom line, I have to heat my garage and may decide to consolidate the 3 hot water systems. Has anyone had any similar experience with the above?

 

[Outback2013]

I am also thinking about a mini split heating system. Will insulate the floor as well.

 

[kabinenroller]

Why don't you consider an on demand hot water heater? Do you have access to propane? I would think propane is less expensive to use as a fuel.
In my old shop I first used an electric 40 gallon water heater to the floor, it had a difficult time recovering during cold weather. I then changed to a 40 gallon propane unit and that solved the recovery problem.
I sold that property.
In my new shop I use a propane on demand heater to heat the floor, it works very well, I also find it economical and basicly trouble free. I think an electric unit would be less cost effective. Insulation is the key to having a hydronic system that works well.