Heating 200 sq ft compressor room

[AJ1978]

Hey all
Looking for good electric heater options. I want to enclose my compressor hallway and install an electric heater to keep temp around 50-55 degrees.

What brands do we recommend?
Power is no option as breaker panel is located in same area we are heating.

 

[Slowgsr]

Can I ask why you wish to heat it?

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Could you get away with an automotive style magnetic block heater stuck to the side of the pump, with a thermostat switch? That and synthetic compressor oil is all I use in my unheated garage.

If not, then I would look into a 240V electric construction heater.

 

[The Cobbler]

why not use a wired baseboard heater with tstat>

 

[AJ1978]

I had a magnetic block heater on the old unit 3 winters ago! It melted together and shorted!
The reason to heat is I feel it might be beneficial to the life of the unit it is in an unheated portion of the building gets cold!

Baseboard heater I did think of that question the efficiency of such

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Perhaps try the adhesive oil pan heater rather then the magnetic type. Having it on a timer or t-stat is important, they are not meant to be on 24/7, or when the pump is running.

 

[ForceFed70]

Personally - I wouldn't heat it. I would be worried about venting it tho - compressors throw off a lot of heat when operating.

 

[dfiler2]

If your using electric heat they are all exactly the same efficiency except if you are using something with a fan it would be a little less.

 

[AJ1978]

Agree on heat but this is a 5 hp Saylor Beall with an 80 gallon Tank and plumbed into a 120 gallon tank! Even after running 45 min solid ( very rare) it does not heat the area! I am not operating some cheap single stage heat monster! I would like to just lessen the cold start load as this thing is relied upon 24-7

 

[dfiler2]

I understand, that's why an electric baseboard 240v is the best choice IMO. Install a line voltage thermostat, turn it down to 50 and you're set.

 

[ForceFed70]

Agree on heat but this is a 5 hp Saylor Beall with an 80 gallon Tank and plumbed into a 120 gallon tank! Even after running 45 min solid ( very rare) it does not heat the area! I am not operating some cheap single stage heat monster! I would like to just lessen the cold start load as this thing is relied upon 24-7

I've got my similar compressor in a small room (It's only about 30sqft tho) and if I run that baby for more than 5min I need to open the door or it'll overheat. I'm thinking about wiring in a ventilation fan that only runs with the compressor.

Running that compressor puts out the same amount of heat as a 5000W heater. After 45min I would expect a noticeable increase in temp in a room that size.

Is cold start all that bad on a compressor? I do like the idea of using a magnetic block heater.

 

[joe_padavano]

All you care about is warming the oil in the compressor. A magnetic block heater or heat tape around the crankcase is the most economical way to go. Heating the whole room around the clock is a complete waste of money.

 

[purplezr2]

Assuming the room is insulated for both heat and sound. I would use a baseboard heater, and see if can be wired on off peak to save some cash.

 

[excavator]

I have a small flood light on a timer right next to compressor motor that does the trick. It keeps it warm and never moves even when running