Heater Decision, Electric ceiling mount

[VinnieCap]

I didn't know how to change the title of my last post so am starting a new one.

After looking at heating solutions it seems like an electric ceiling mount might do the job. I did price other solutions, but they are all much more costly. So I am thinking electric and if it doesn't work out I can change it later.

Here are the details:
- 22x36 garage (outside measurements), so a little under 800 sq ft.
- will be fully insulated, R-13 walls and at least R-30 ceiling.
- will likely be drywalled as well. It's detached so 1/2" should do.
- Garage doors are insulated.

I've looked at a bunch of different heaters. I liked the remote on the Comfort Zone unit, but the thermostat only goes down to 68 degrees.

My plan is to mostly use when I am out there, but it would be nice to be able to turn it down to 40-45 degrees and leave it on.

I think a 7,500W unit should heat the garage sufficiently. I'd like to be able to hook up a basic digital thermostat on the wall someplace.

- Any suggestions on which units are best?
- Pro and cons of different brands?
- Any problems with these, reliable?

There are so many different brands.. Profusion, Fahrenheat...?

 

[Bolson32]

- Any suggestions on which units are best?
I have a profusion, cheaper but works fine. no comment on how long it will last, only had it a couple of monts
- Pro and cons of different brands?
see #1
- Any problems with these, reliable?
They seem to be yes, but they're so cheap that if they break you can just get another one.

I went with a cheap Profusion from Menards for $100, the 5000w version. Works great for my 15x22. Watched football out there and had it at a balmy 70 degrees while it was in the 20s outside this weekend.

I used an Aube heat relay from Amazon to wire an actual thermostat that lets me set it at 35-40. It's not digital but it's mechanical and designed for garage use. I think a lot of digital programmables aren't designed for low temp use. The issue you'll run into with the Aube is that it's only rated at 24amps, which isn't going to be enough for a 7500w heater. I know some have used it for that but I'd be cautious of that. I don't think it carries the full load with the wiring diagram but I don't know enough to comment on that 100%.

A couple of questions to think about as well. How cold does it get where you live, and what are your electric rates.

 

[johnboy13]

I have a Qmark 5000W heater in my 20 x 20 detached with R19 in the ceiling, the doors sided over with 2" rigid and siding panels, but nothing in the walls. I love it. I'm in N. Illinois. The temp last month averaged 38 degrees. I paid $48 extra to heat the garage from Nov8 to Dec11. It's always on at 40 unless I'm around, then it's set to 65. So far, it hangs around 48 in there most of the time unless the heater is running.

 

[Falcon67]

This works well for me and it's only 5kW. It's set one notch below LO on the dial and the 12x24 work room was 72F this morning. Forgot to turn it off. Will also heat the other 24x28 side of the shop, just takes it a bit more time. It may be a little light for a 22x36, depends maybe more on your climate.

 

[VinnieCap]

Just to add some info... I am located in SE Pennsylvania, just outside of King of Prussia. It does get pretty cold around here.

The building is stick built. 2 courses of block above the pad then 2x4's up to the ceiling. Interior height of the ceiling is 9'.

 

[Falcon67]

That probably would do better with the 7500W version of these heaters.

 

[VinnieCap]

That probably would do better with the 7500W version of these heaters.

Yes, my original questions were in regards to a 7500W unit. That is what I plan to purchase.

 

[thickhead]

I have a King Electric unit (KBP2406) that has worked out great so far in my 24x24.
I think I would use a couple smaller units if I was setting up to heat a garage your size though - in an effort to heat the space more evenly.
The Dayton units seem like good ones.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

In a 22x36 I'd probably want to use 2 of the 5000's. I use one of the 7500W Profusions in my 15x27 and love it.

 

[thickhead]

A mini split unit is another thing to look into if you are going to add AC as well. Most have heat pumps that could supplement the electric heater.

 

[VinnieCap]

Here's an additional question. Does an external thermostat override the internal one on these heaters?

For example, the Comfort Zone heaters have a thermostat low of 68 degrees. If I wired it to an external wall thermostat could I then set it at 40 degrees?

Doesn't a thermostat just turn the heater off and on at the set heat?

 

[BlueHeart]

I have the Pro Fusion 7500w heater in my 23x38 garage. The walls have R13 and the ceiling is R19(currently) above the drywall. My garage doors are R18. Last Friday I used 74kw which is more than a week's worth normally. Now I use the heater as sparingly as possible.

 

[VinnieCap]

I have the Pro Fusion 7500w heater in my 23x38 garage. The walls have R13 and the ceiling is R19(currently) above the drywall. My garage doors are R18. Last Friday I used 74kw which is more than a week's worth normally. Now I use the heater as sparingly as possible.

Was that for a full day? At what temperature?

My average daily usage for my house is only 31.6.

 

[VinnieCap]

Here's an additional question. Does an external thermostat override the internal one on these heaters?

For example, the Comfort Zone heaters have a thermostat low of 68 degrees. If I wired it to an external wall thermostat could I then set it at 40 degrees?

Doesn't a thermostat just turn the heater off and on at the set heat?

 

[BlueHeart]

Was that for a full day? At what temperature?

My average daily usage for my house is only 31.6.

We use between 10 and 14 Kw daily. I have natural gas for heating, hot water, clothes dryer and the generator. Electric is for lights and the kitchen range/oven. All lights are LED.
December 9th we used 74kw(12am to 11:59pm). The outside temperature was as low as 24° and as high as 29°. I'm not sure what temperature the heater was set for in degrees, but it was still cold enough that if you were at the other end of the garage you could see your breath. On the heater dial, it was set just above 25% of the rotation or at 10 o'clock.

 

[hh76]

I had an 7500w electric heater in my 14'x25' shop. Pretty good insulation, and it is just enough. Warms it up from 40 to 65 in an hour or two.

I used a line voltage thermostat to control, and just turned the built in thermostat to high.

It's expensive! I have it set to about 40 at all times, and turn it up to 60ish one or two nights a week. Adds at least $100 to the Dec and Jan bills.