Heating a garage

[Chadwilliam1]

I am looking for the best way to heat a 24' x 32' garage. Walls and garage doors are insulated and I plan to insulate the attic before winter. I have a 100 amp sub panel in the garage or I can run a nat gas line out.


Also I need recommendations on some good fans for the garage. I want to add a couple before next summer.

Thanks for the help

Chad

 

[Kevin54]

Wow....1300+ view and not one reply. Amazing!!

I would get a gas fired heater. I have a 45,000 Hamilton heater heating my garage on LP and it does a great job.

If you are willing to make a 2 hour drive, our local Carter Lumber has (2) left and are seriously marked down. I paid something like $699 for mine, and Carters has theirs marked down to $379

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is A/C important ? If yes, look into a mini-split heat pump.

In general, it is hard to beat the cost of a natural gas furnace/heater both on cost of installation and cost of operation.

 

[Falcon67]

45k NG heater. NG is the most cost effective fuel as far as i know.

 

[CNGsaves]

Finish all your rough lighting and electrical in ceiling/attic before you jump into insulation. If you install a hanging Natural Gas heater (recommended) then you'll want a switched outlet up there.

Also, outlet in the ceiling for hanging electric reel is good idea. Light in the attic (at least a porcelin fixture with pull string) along with an attic ladder should be in your gameplan.

Good luck finishing out the shop and getting heat.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I am in the process of working on my wiring now. When the house was built I had the walls insulated and now I am adding outlets. I have 2 pull cords and I want to add a third one.

thanks for the info on the carters lumber heater. I dont have time to drive two hours but I will stop by the one near me and see if they have anything like that do you have a model number?

 

[Chadwilliam1]

So I am doing my homework on a natural gas heater. I am trying to figure out if I need to go outside for my fresh air source. Can I just push it up through the attic? I will only be running this heater in the winter when it is 50 or below I would say. So the temp in the attic wont be much higher than that.

Right now my attic is uninsulated and the height of the attic is about 10'.
Yes I know I should insulate the attic but I have some more wiring to do and I want to put it off until I think I am done wiring outlets for heaters fans...

 

[Chris Stapley]

If you have vented eaves the fresh air pulled from the attic would suffice...if not you're best to vent from outside..

 

[sands35]

If you have a wood or paint shop, then pull the combustion air from the outside if possible. If not a wood/paint shop, then it doesn't matter.

You will want a direct vent version. Puts the moisture from the combustion process outside the garage.

There are the inexpensive units that hang up in the corner or there are smaller versions of the more common ducted house models (can also be hung from the ceiling). Slightly more expensive and needs ducts, but also easy to install AC for temp / humidity control in the summer.

Have you done the math on the $$/BTU for gas vs. electric to price out a mini-split unit?

 

[myredracer]

"Best" way? In-floor radiant heating. Not an option with an existing floor tho.

Gas-fired or electric unit heater. Two would be better than one- in opposite corners so air blows around in a circle. Gas would be better as fuel cost is less. Electric will have lower initial cost. I'd estimate you'd need 6 +/- KW of electric heat and is do-able on 100 amp panel but could affect ability to use high draw equip (stick welder, ex.).

For a fan(s) consider a through-wall shutter fan like in photo. This one is Fantech. Available in many dimensions and cfms. Advantage is no duct to install or roof to penetrate. Could also install a motorized damper at opposite end of garage for relief air and tie it into the wall fan so you can keep garage door closed.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Regarding combustion air, you'll have to follow the installation book that will come with your unit heater. Some must pull in outside air, some are not equipped to do so, and some give you the option of pulling in outside air.

If it's optional, I'd go ahead and pull the combustion air in from the outside. That will save a bit as you won't be removing heated air from inside your garage for combustion.

Phil

 

[NICKS]

I'm building a secondary 24x32 garage also at my new house and plan on heating with one of these
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...kUv02XXxki_1kpykujEGJvMxdDUm-NEREwaAkmM8P8HAQ

Last year I used a smaller 4000w version in a larger 850 sqft garage with 11'-6" ceilings and it kept it at 42-45* without running much and the thermostat turned as low as it would go. If I turned the thermostat up I could make it 65*+ in there, even if it was 0* outside. That was our main garage so the doors went up and down a few times a day. I think my went up around $30-40 a month.
This 5Kw heater should do just fine in a smaller space.

BTW; I paid $79 for the same heater at Bomgaars on sale

 

[nadogail]

Thanks for the information.

My old bones will appreciate the warmth.

 

[37ford4dr]

So I am doing my homework on a natural gas heater. I am trying to figure out if I need to go outside for my fresh air source. Can I just push it up through the attic? I will only be running this heater in the winter when it is 50 or below I would say. So the temp in the attic wont be much higher than that.

Right now my attic is uninsulated and the height of the attic is about 10'.
Yes I know I should insulate the attic but I have some more wiring to do and I want to put it off until I think I am done wiring outlets for heaters fans...

is this a forced hot air furnace? I would definitely want to use out side air for the heater. if its for occasional and weekend use Don't discount the less expensive electric Dayton G73 heaters. I have a detached 24 x24x 12 peak very well insulated 2x6 garage and this heater covers all my needs and can make it any temperature out there. I have my garage plumbed for radiant floor heat but the Dayton works so well I never finished the installation. it just seemed like a waste of money. I use it to maintain 50* in the wintertime and then increase the temps when I work out there on the weekends. I also just have one regular size 54" house ceiling fan on a 2' drop to provide air movement in the summer time.

before this garage I had a larger detached 24x34 garage with 2x4 wall insulation and no attic insulation and the Dayton g73 kept it up warm out there even with the no attic insulation.

sounds like you have lots of good choices.

for me the Dayton was the "easy button" two garages ago and it has just kept following me around.....and I am glad

 

[2CRUZ]

I built a 30x40 and I insulated the **** out of it top and sides and put plastic all the way around and top. I installed a 100.000 btu Hot Dog heater vented to the out side thru the wall. In 5 or 10 minutes I'm in my shirt sleeves working on my car. In the summer I have a window air conditioner that keeps it nice and cool. I think the key is how good your insulation job is.