Heating options: wood vs radiant

[mendozer]

I have the opportunity to snag an old "trash burner" wood stove. Small 36"x20"12" dimensions. I could route a chimney through the wall of my garage and use this for heating my garage, a 22x22 space. The cost for this antique stove is cheap, but chimney pipe isn't. But the fuel source in the future is free.

PRO: free fuel, durable, very warm!
Con: routing chimney

VS

Radiant wall panel, I was thinking 1 or 2 of the Amaze 600 Watt wall panels. They say it heats 230 sq ft effectively with far less energy than the radiant tube 1500W heaters.

PRO: no floor space sacrificed, wiring is already where I would put it, or easy to modify
Con: not free fuel source, potential to break as all electronic devices.

Because I no longer have access to the roof (I insulated and sheathed the rafters) I would run my chinmey up and horizontally along the roof line to the front wall of the garage and poke out that way (Top of the V) on the front wall

thoughts?

 

[mendozer]

I had bought a propane radiant heater but I decided I'm putting that on the back deck outside since I have a propane hookup there.

 

[PoorUB]

I believe their claim of heating 230 sqft is a bit optimistic. 22ft x 22ft depending on your climate and insulation you will need roughly 8,000 BTU and perhaps more depending on insulation, weather stripping and so on.. To get 8,000 BTU with electric you will need roughly 2,300 watts.

Personally, I doubt four of those panels will heat the space. You might be warm standing right in front of one, but the rest of the building will be cold.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

A lot can depend on how you plan to use the space. Wood takes a while to start heating the space; the radiant will begin to throw heat almost as soon as it’s turned on. When I heated my shop with wood, I often found that I was so involved in my work that the fire had burned way down to just a few coals before I noticed and needed to add wood to get it going again. Radiant is going to give heat until switched off. On the other hand, wood can be “free” whereas electric radiant can be an expensive cost that isn’t likely to get cheaper in the future.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You will hate yourself when you get the first electric bill !

 

[nadogail]

Heating with wood will warm you twice, once when you cut it and again when you burn it.

 

[Showkey]

Watts are watts as mentioned in post 3………those electric heaters are way short on heat output. (Aka BTU). So……agree on 4 heaters might do the job………and then they spin the meter off the wall. $$$

 

[930dreamer]

Wood stove chimney should run as close to vertical at all times or you'll risk losing your draft, no 90 degree elbows. Fisher made a quality wood stove 70-80's and i have three in my shop. Not sure whey're your at but Craigslist or FB MP should have a large stove selection.

 

[ericm]

Don't some insurers take a dim view of wood stoves in garages?

Firewood isn't free even if it doesn't cost you anything. Chainsaws, wood splitters, time to cut trees, split and stack, etc.