Heating option advice for my shop.

[borderboy1971]

I'll be continuing my build of a 60x64 shop (16' ceiling) with a 12'x64' lean to. I don't have natural gas so that's not an affordable option for me. I would like to put in floor heat. What do you guys recommend for a heat source? I'm considering the following options:
1 Outdoor coal boiler
2 Solar water panels
3 Solar electric panels to run an electric boiler
4 Geothermal

I realize there are pros and cons to each, and would love to hear any ideas. One thing I have considered regarding solar electric panels is that during winter it would run (hopefully) the electric boiler, but during summer months create electricity to use in the shop.

I'll add that I live in Saskatchewan, Canada with December through February typically in the -30c range. But also am in the sunshine capital of Canada. My shop should be well insulated. SIP built r38 walls, with r25 14' doors, and will blow in at least r50 into attic.

 

[borderboy1971]

I'd still love to hear some suggestions? Anybody?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do you have "hydro" (electricity) ? If not, the only realistic option is a wood/coal boiler.

You will never be able to make enough electricity from solar and/or wind to heat using electric resistance or an electric boiler.

The most efficient heat (least amount of energy input for the most amount of energy output) is a geothermal heat pump. It is also the most expensive to install. While not common, a geothermal heat pump can heat water for in-floor radiant heat via a heat exchanger.

 

[DEnd]

Geothermal is going to be a very expensive option.

I don't think you are going to be able to get enough BTU's out of a solar system. at least not cost effectively.

For cost reasons in your situation I say go with the outdoor coal boiler, with a self metering feeder (ie an auger and a hopper). You will probably want the hopper indoors however to keep the coal from freezing together.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . first & foremost, Welcome to GJ !!

Sounds like you're working on awesome big shop in Canada. Update your GJ Profile with location.

Everyone on GJ just LOVES shop builds so suggest you start thread in Gallery section with lots of PICS of shop build. Good luck.

 

[borderboy1971]

I've only got some simple drawings of the wall plans. Take a look at see what you think, or any suggestions of changes.

 

[anthony666]

man that image is tiny, is it a workshop for ants ?? lol

another option you should look at, since you're deep in farm country, is a biomass boiler .. feed it a steady diet of old hay bales/straw, wood chips, or what ever you have that started as vegetation

 

[borderboy1971]

I'm not sure why the image is so small, my apologies. I' not the best with my computer stuff. re: hay etc. if I had cattle to feed and therefore a tractor to run every day, I would definitely be burning some flax bales, but since I hardly ever get my tractor fired up (especially in -40c weather) it's not really a viable option for me.