Heating

[944turbo]

I've been searching and reading posts regarding garage heaters. I'm building a 24 x 26 detached garage. My concrete guy didn't have experience dealing with in-floor heater tubing, so didn't go that route - whatever. I also didn't want to run a NG line to the garage. So, my choice was electric heat. But now I read about the option of propane.

The garage will be well insulated although I doubt I will go with 6" studs. I doubt I will probably keep the heat on but low, maybe 55F.

So, is propane a reasonable option?

 

[Steevo]

In WI, why wouldn't you go with 2x6 walls? You can get an additional 2 or more R-value insulation in them.

 

[Highbeam]

So, is propane a reasonable option?

It can be a reasonable option if the costs in your area for electric are high and low for propane. Seems these two heat sources flip flop depending on region with regards to which is cheaper per to heat with.

Tell us your electric cost per kwh (the entire electric bill divided by that bill's entire consumption) and tell us what you can buy propane for. These numbers will look something like 12 cents per killowatt hour and $2.50 per gallon of LPG.

 

[Falcon67]

You may well find that electricity is equal or cheaper, or at least close enough that the convenience of electric wins out.

 

[hidollartoys]

In K.C., propane just went to $3.00/gal.

 

[Highbeam]

Okay, and electric?

3$ propane delivered and including all fees equates to 14.2 cents per kwh for electric. I pay just under 10 cents for electric so in my case, electric is much cheaper.

Use this calculator to do the math yourself.

http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/fuel_cost_comparison_calculator/

 

[Mr onetwo]

I would go with a properly sized low intensity tube type radiant heater fueled with LPG.You should also consider spray foam insulation...well worth the extra cost!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Your most cost effective heating solution is wood or wood pellets. Neither of these are good solutions if you want to maintain a somewhat constant temperature. You will go broke with electric or propane keeping the temp set to 55.


You really should go with 2x6 studs for the extra insulation. Also you probably want 12" in the ceiling and at least 2" (4" better) of foam under the floor.

 

[jvitez]

If you want to stick with 2x4 studs, install 1.5" foam board on the entire outside. You'll get higher thermal performance because you've eliminated conductive heat loss where the studs touch the sheathing. Reduce your heat loss, and differences in fuel costs are less because you're needing less heat input. Insulate, insulate, air seal!!

Now, find out your cost per kwh for electricity, and cost per gal of propane. Figure 80% efficiency for propane unit heaters/tube heaters, 91,600 btu/gal propane, so some simple math, and all will be clearly and definitively revealed.

http://www.mainepublicservice.com/media/3467/fuel and energy.pdf