Heating new garage

[scribble79]

Just getting my new 24x26x9 with 7’6”x13’ room in attic truss garage sealed up and looking for heating suggestions. I am mainly looking for something to keep all the chemicals from freezing each year and make it manageable to work in colder temps. I don’t currently have gas run to it but it is possible. Garage is detached and will be insulated once I figure out that side of things as well.

 

[jack stand]

An honest answer would revolve around knowing what your insulation and windows plans are.

 

[scribble79]

I have 3 windows in the structure. 2 windows in the attic area for flow through and a single in the lower level. Garage door is insulated. I do plan on insulating in future with bat and blown in as spray is just not feasible.

 

[Showkey]

Nat Gas is going to the least expensive to operate. Slightly more up front cost running the line and furnace/ venting.
While they are running power it’s perfect time to run the gas line.
If your planning on cooling that starts to make mini splits a choice.

Use the search tap to Search prior post there will be several 100 threads on the shop heating cooling choices. It is by far one of the top five topics.

Search results for query: Shop heating choices

www.garagejournal.com

 

[PWilks]

I would have said radiant but it looks like that is not an option. If you can run gas I would use one of those small ceiling mounted unit heaters

 

[jack stand]

I once read "the more you put into your insulation, the less your source of heat matters". It certainly changed my thinking even as obvious as it seems.

 

[thammel]

Insulate well. Then use a mini split heat pump if you don't have natural gas or propane. If you do have some sort of gas, something like a hanging reznor heater will do the job. I suggest the mini split heat pump because it will cool it during the hot months. What is your access to the attic? I made the mistake of not having mine thermally separated (i.e., no door to close it off), so my mini split in the attic room wants to cool the entire place. I had to but some large rigid foam pieces to effectively seal it off from the 1st floor.

 

[jack stand]

Insulate well.

To many people think that this simply means jamming the pink **** in the walls.

 

[scribble79]

Insulate well. Then use a mini split heat pump if you don't have natural gas or propane. If you do have some sort of gas, something like a hanging reznor heater will do the job. I suggest the mini split heat pump because it will cool it during the hot months. What is your access to the attic? I made the mistake of not having mine thermally separated (i.e., no door to close it off), so my mini split in the attic room wants to cool the entire place. I had to but some large rigid foam pieces to effectively seal it off from the 1st floor.

I have to trench for my electrical so I was thinking of trenching for my gas line as they are going to be the same run length and locations from the house. My attic space is accessed by a full stairwell, no doors or closures to that area.

 

[Showkey]

To many people think that this simply means jamming the pink **** in the walls.

Ok……it’s carefully placing pink stuff in the walls and ceiling……..but………no more complex than that.
Yes, maybe house rap, airleak sealing and under slab and perimeter foam.

 

[jack stand]

It all depends on their expectations and use. Absolutely, any insulation is a plus and just fine for occasionally "taking off the chill" for a weekend project. It's your additional suggestions that really help the F/G at little additional expense, well not so much for the little expense when you get to the foam part.

 

[thammel]

LOL...by "insulate well", I mean use the max R-value that you can get into the spaces. Be sure the all walls and ceiling areas are insulated. If using paper backed insulation for vapor barrier, tape any tears . Fill small voids (e.g., above windows) with insulation. Leave no areas uninsulated. Hopefully, you have insulated doors and thermopane windows. Be sure to minimize or eliminate door seal leaks. Since your attic is accessed by a full stairwell, the attic will be plenty warm in the winter by just heating the first floor.

 

[PoorUB]

If you have natural gas I would run a line over and use it. Chances are even an 80% unit heater will be less money on NG than even a high efficiency heat pump.

Really you need to investigate your utility prices and go from there.

If you go with a mini split you need to find one that will heat well below 0F. Many stop heating around OF.

 

[scribble79]

So it sounds like a good job insulating and a gas garage heater is going to be the ticket. I guess I have another trench to cut in then.

Thank You for the help.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I looked at the Home Depot "home flex" natural gas line kit when an acquaintance bought it to hook up his new garage.

It looked like a pretty good deal and includes everything you'd need for the underground gas hookup except a shut off valve. I'd put an outdoor rated shutoff valve on the inlet or "house" side of your new pipeline.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HOME-FL...rs-Gas-Line-Detection-18-429440-010/309182809