Good portable heater

[DC_Gearhead]

I'm not up to the level as most of you on here. My shop is small and I'm not high roller. I have a 200 sqft shop that I want to heat with an electric portable heater that I can put away in the summer. I'm looking to spend under $200 for it. Any ideas? I live in DC so the weather isn't crazy cold. We usually have a couple of weeks of teens, but typically winter is in the 30s.

Any suggestions?

Eventually I'll get a split, but not in the budget at the moment.

 

[dfiler2]

There is a good buy on this one right now and it can be hung from the ceiling so it's always out of the way.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579

 

[PWC Repair]

The best portable units in my opinion are the infra red bulb type, little square box that sits on the floor. There are a zillion knockoffs these days so pay attention. You don't want the quartz strips, ceramic style, or wire coils. Make sure it's the bulb style that heats up a heat exchanger that the air blows through. They heat great without using too much energy.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

There is a good buy on this one right now and it can be hung from the ceiling so it's always out of the way.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579

I saw that one mentioned on another of the threads. That's a great price on a good heater, but I don't have 240v to the garage yet. I just started fixing up my detached garage. I'm running off an extension cord from my house for now.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

The best portable units in my opinion are the infra red bulb type, little square box that sits on the floor. There are a zillion knockoffs these days so pay attention. You don't want the quartz strips, ceramic style, or wire coils. Make sure it's the bulb style that heats up a heat exchanger that the air blows through. They heat great without using too much energy.

I'll have to check those out.

 

[normie]

Big Buddy heater , portable , propane, blower.works for me. Lowes, Ebay, N.T.

 

[DonPowers]

I have a couple of propane heaters that are on wheels and the 20 lb tank sits in the back, making them a nice portable package. They have three settings with the lowest being 6,000 BTU and the highest 18,000BTU per hour.

Here is a picture with the yellow one in it, have been using them to work on the second floor of the garage. Bought mine at Lowes several years ago, they carry a different brand of the heater these days.

With a 120 volt heater you will max out around 5,000 BTU per hour.

 

[mge_1]

I'm in the same situation. No 240v sockets in the garage. What's a good 120v heater to warm up a regular 2 car garage?

 

[DonPowers]

Here is a link to the heater I showed above.

http://protemp.us/products/portable-propane-cabinet-heaters/

 

[crabjoe]

I'm in the same situation. No 240v sockets in the garage. What's a good 120v heater to warm up a regular 2 car garage?

It really doesn't matter because all electric heaters are about 100% efficient. One 1500 watt heater won't heat better than the next 1500watt heater.

If it were me and all I could do was electric heat, I'd look for one that directed the heat. This way, I could keep myself and my immediate work area warm.

 

[wssix99]

Are you insulated and somewhat air tight? If so, these are great: http://www.delonghi.com/en-us/products/comfort/portable-heating/radiant-heaters

They don't make noise, don't have exposed heating elements, and are relatively durable.

 

[Shiftless]

I'm in the same situation. No 240v sockets in the garage. What's a good 120v heater to warm up a regular 2 car garage?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
Unless your garage is incredibly well insulated and almost air tight, you won't stay warm with any single 120 volt heater drawing 1500 watts. Maybe if you had 3 or 4 separate dedicated circuits running 4 of those heaters, you'd be OK.

 

[dogdog]

Are you insulated and somewhat air tight? If so, these are great: http://www.delonghi.com/en-us/products/comfort/portable-heating/radiant-heaters

They don't make noise, don't have exposed heating elements, and are relatively durable.

same thing I have.... I have had good results with an oil filled heater... slow to warm but if you stay there for a bit... it's warm enough to keep you from freezing, but you won't be working on your shorts or undies. If I needed more heat, I''ll fire up the propane heater.... my garage is none insulated and I don't go there often enough to justify a garage heater nor I have space to hang it and I don't work in my shorts/undies when I am in the garage. I always keep moving as well that keeps the body a warm.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BZFQB8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Are you insulated and somewhat air tight? If so, these are great: http://www.delonghi.com/en-us/products/comfort/portable-heating/radiant-heaters

They don't make noise, don't have exposed heating elements, and are relatively durable.

Really? I never would have thought. I have one very similar. I'll have to give it a shot and see.

 

[TONE]

I bought an Envi Heater for my son's bedroom to help take the chill out of the air. You look at them?

 

[DC_Gearhead]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
Unless your garage is incredibly well insulated and almost air tight, you won't stay warm with any single 120 volt heater drawing 1500 watts. Maybe if you had 3 or 4 separate dedicated circuits running 4 of those heaters, you'd be OK.

Good point. My garage is pretty tight. Walls are over a foot thick.

Probably right about the 4 heaters. I have a little 1500w Stanley heater that I use currently. All it does it takes the bite out of the air. If it's 30-40 degrees I don't feel much of a difference at all. Then you lay on the cold concrete!! Cold as hell. 4 of those heaters would probably do it, but I want all that heat from one unit.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-15...able-Heater-with-Pivot-Power-675919/202843067

 

[DC_Gearhead]

I bought an Envi Heater for my son's bedroom to help take the chill out of the air. You look at them?

Those heaters are pretty sweet, but I need more watts. I've been thinking about one of those for my bathroom. Pretty cool.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Double burner, tank top propane heater.

No electricity required. Virtually no smell. If you use it a lot, moisture WILL be an issue. Under $100.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

I guess the real question is: how many BTUs do I need to heat my garage? I'm going to get a propane heater to hold me over through this winter.

 

[wssix99]

I guess the real question is: how many BTUs do I need to heat my garage?

That all depends on how fast the building looses heat. How well is it insulated and air sealed?

If the warm air doesn't go anywhere, you can get by with a small radiant heater and be fine. If your heat marches right out of the walls as soon as you make it, you will need a more powerful space heater to direct the heat where you want it as it passes you on its way out.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a 200 sqft shop that I want to heat with an electric portable heater that I can put away in the summer.

I'm running off an extension cord from my house for now.

The max you are going to get out of an electric heater at the end of an extension cord is 1500 watts. 1 watt-hour is about 3.5 BTU, so 1500 watt-hours is 5,200 BTU. A double burner propane tank top has a max of 25,000-30,000 BTU. The burners can be turned down or run just 1, or save money and just buy a single burner unit.

A small fan helps a lot !

 

[nevercouldfigureitout]

Big Buddy heater , portable , propane, blower.works for me. Lowes, Ebay, N.T.

Gets my vote, I brought mine into the house & heated when a tornado came through & my power was off for a week. I did buy the adapter to use my propane tank off my grill which lasted forever.

 

[wssix99]

I have a little 1500w Stanley heater that I use currently. All it does it takes the bite out of the air. If it's 30-40 degrees I don't feel much of a difference at all. Then you lay on the cold concrete!! Cold as hell.

Your concrete floor is a powerful heat sink and will work to equalize the temperature in the space with whatever the temperature of the ground is, below. So, laying on the floor will never be comfortable, until you make a major investment to put in an insulated slab and permanently heat the space.

Those heaters are pretty sweet, but I need more watts.

As the oldwizard points out, you need BTU! I'd still give your oil-filled electric radiator a try. It put's out low BTU's per hour - so use it for more hours. Try putting it in the garage for 24 hours and see what its like. (If the heater puts heat in to the space faster than it escapes, everything will get warmer.) That unit is intended to stay on for long periods of time, unlike your little Stanley blaster.

^ The downside of this, is (of course) that it takes advance planning to get the space up to temperature before you need to go be out there.

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

A big buddy propane heater has 18,000 btus. That should be enough unless your space has many leaks.
I have a old single car garage and the big buddy heater is fine when it is n the 30-40s but any colder and I fire up my 60,000 btu torpedo for 30-45 minutes. Then switch over to the big buddy.

 

[crucible]

I have a Kerosene radiant heater that works pretty well (even in the coldest winter) in my uninsulated garage, it just takes a good long while to heat it up.

A month ago, I saw a deal on a Propane bullet heater: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044R8Y5I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

and got it. 30-60K adjustable output, rated for indoor use (though you likely should have ventilation and a CO2 meter). When it got cold near the holidays, it heated my two car oversize garage up in 5 to 10 minutes or so-enough that I could continue applying stain and poly on a piece quickly.

It does require a 110v to run the fan and ignitor, and it does make some noise of course, but I'm glad to have gotten it.

 

[86turbodsl]

Kerosene heater would also work. Menards has a 45,000 btu kerosene salamander on sale for $130 this week. I just bought a 75K salamander that could heat 1800ft for $93 out the door there. I had coupons.

Liquid fuels are nice because they can just sit in the jug when you don't need them.
Propane bottles are a PITA.

 

[Bluedodge]

I also grabbed a 75000 btu Remington kerosene heater from Menards this week. $169 & tax.

Heated my three stall up in less than 20 minutes, then the thermostat worked flawlessly to kick on and off maintaining a shirt sleeve temp.

Golly, I wish I bought one years ago!

 

[DC_Gearhead]

I got a Mr Heater and tried it out this evening. Put it on high with my Stanley heater/fan to circulate air. Worked flawlessly. It's around 40 and within an hour I was able to wear a short sleeve shirt. Probably about 65 in there. Worked great. Plus wife doesn't worry about CO because it is labeled for indoor use. Small little heater that works. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[PWC Repair]

Kerosene really wouldn't be a bad idea. When you hear/read about all the stinky fumes they put out, those are just heaters that need new wick's. When they are working properly they put out a small amount of fumes when lit up for about 30 seconds, then again when you shut it down. I have a 23-25k unit I use sometimes and it will run wide open for about 8 hours on 1 gallon. I consider that pretty cheap heat.

 

[Falcon67]

This is about 25K BTU, enough to warm 960 sq/ft uninsulated during construction. $20 Walmart fan, about $90 for the Mr. Heater and I forget what the tank cost, about another $100. I used this same setup for years at the other 480 sq/ft shop.

 

[DC_Gearhead]

This is about 25K BTU, enough to warm 960 sq/ft uninsulated during construction. $20 Walmart fan, about $90 for the Mr. Heater and I forget what the tank cost, about another $100. I used this same setup for years at the other 480 sq/ft shop.

Nice. Looks like a good setup.

 

[Showkey]

The best portable units in my opinion are the infra red bulb type, little square box that sits on the floor. There are a zillion knockoffs these days so pay attention. You don't want the quartz strips, ceramic style, or wire coils. Make sure it's the bulb style that heats up a heat exchanger that the air blows through. They heat great without using too much energy.

Watts are watts .........it does not matter what kind of heating element is used.....energy consumption is the same watts per hour. Any electric heater will 100% efficient, the needed BTU might require 240 volt as others have stated depending insulation, air exchange and required temp rise. The box bulb heater maybe safer around kids and gentle heat ( or at least that how their sold) but any 120 volt will have limited btu output as others have clearly stated.

As far as kerosene .........it sinks ( smells) there is no getting around it and kerosene can be $7-$10 per gallon depending on location and availability.

 

[Cadman56]

I got a Mr Heater and tried it out this evening. Put it on high with my Stanley heater/fan to circulate air. Worked flawlessly. It's around 40 and within an hour I was able to wear a short sleeve shirt. Probably about 65 in there. Worked great. Plus wife doesn't worry about CO because it is labeled for indoor use. Small little heater that works. Thanks for all the suggestions.

DC - What model Mr Heater did you get? I'm just north of you in SE PA so our temps are very close. I just retired and started looking into some type of heater to heat my small shop so I can work on my garden tractors and other things without freezing! I would need something to heat it to 50-55°, something just to take the chill off. I was looking at the Mr Heater Big Buddy the other day at the local TSC store and thought it might be a good candidate for my application. TIA for any info you can provide.

 

[DieselPills]

So many people don't understand heaters...so much mis-information....

A watt is a watt, and a BTU is a BTU. Doesn't matter what heater it is coming out of - electric, propane, kerosene, whatever. A 5000 BTU electric heater is the same as a 5000 BTU propane heater which is the same as a 5000 BTU kerosene heater.

The advantage the electric has is no fumes, no moisture. If you are burning fuel indoors you should at least have a door or window cracked, and, now your heat is going to escape.

Forget kerosene. This is an antiquated fuel. It is VERY expensive to buy compared to anything else, and VERY stinky. Don't waste your money.

I like the round propane tank top type pictured above. You can get 1, 2, or 3 burner models. I like to have several single burner models each on a 20# propane tank, they last a long time this way, and you can arrange them farther apart. You don't need a fan if the heat is evenly distributed around the room.

If you go with electric get the CHEAPEST one you can find. They are all the same. I have about TEN of the $9.98 1500 watt heaters from Walmart. That's 15KW or 51,000 BTU. It's the same as any other heater of that size, maybe a little more white-trashy. It cost less than $100 total. Yes, I have a ton of dedicated 20A outlets...

You might consider both electric and propane. Unless you are going to keep the space warm all the time, you need a big heater to get it up to temp. Once it has gotten warm, a smaller heater (electric) will keep it warm and cut down on fumes.

I have a 23-25k unit I use sometimes and it will run wide open for about 8 hours on 1 gallon. I consider that pretty cheap heat.

If you actually do the math on that you'll find that it is not cheap at all. Kerosene is usually $3-10 per gallon. It has less BTUs than a gallon of heating oil and only slightly more BTUs than much cheaper propane.

Your heater does not put out 25k BTU for 8 hours on a gallon of kerosene. A gallon of kerosene is about 130,000 BTU...if it lasts you 8 hours then you are getting 16,250 BTU.

Another thing to keep in mind - BTU ratings on heaters are a lot like CFM ratings on air compressors. That is, frequently fake and misleading.