Help needed...21 x 22 x 13 garage heating issues

[TheOtherOne]

In 2015, we had a Reznor UDAP 75000 installed to combat freezing pipes adjacent to the garage. Long story short, the freezing pipes were due to the lack of insulation near the rafter/joist interface. The primary purpose of the Reznor is now to keep the garage, which is below the master bedroom, relatively warm (55F) during the winter months in New Jersey. The garage also keeps the overlying master bedroom from getting too cold.

Now the problem...this Reznor creates unwanted vibration through the ceiling and into the master bedroom, all hours of the night. I'm guessing this is primarily due to the way it is mounted to the ceiling with 3/8 rod, channel nuts, and strut. The Reznor vertical louvers are not exactly quiet either. Don't flame me on the install...I've always wanted to clean it up.

What do you guys propose as a solution? Alternate mounting methods, perhaps to the wall? Different system all together? The garage is insulated. I have NG and electric. Again, 21x22 with 13' ceilings.

As an aside, this unit seems a bit large, right?

The main goal is quiet. Look forward to what this group has to offer!

 

[PoorUB]

With the way you have it hung it would be very easy to install four of these in the threaded rods. Do one at a time and you don't even have to take the heater down.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YK66G4N/?tag=atomicindus08-20

As for large? A 30,000 BTU would be large! You are probably 3 times larger than you need for 500 square feet.

 

[TheOtherOne]

I thought about vibration idolators. The channel nut would still be sitting in the strut...another source for vibration, right?

Would radiant lend itself well to my garage?

How about the same unit (or smaller) mounted to the wall?

Quick-Hanging Unit Heater Mounting Brackets | Universal Garage Heater Wall Bracket

View our ceiling-mounted heater brackets with adjustable quick-hanging design, including models for Reznor brand unit heaters and a universal wall bracket.

www.supremestands.com

 

[PoorUB]

Just use the isolators.

 

[cadunkle]

Start with rubber vibration dampers/isolators and and making sure you don't have anything loose in the mounting. If it were on rigid brackets direct to the ceiling it probably wouldn't vibrate as much. I'd guess the rod it's hanging from increases vibration. If all you're doing it maintaining 55*, that heater is way overkill for the space. A 30k-50k unit would get the job done fine and still sweat you out with a little time if you want it warmer to work. Such a large heater would only be needed in a garage that size open the door often and want it to get back to temp quickly.

A smaller heater with a smaller exhaust blower and fan might not vibrate so much. On that note, you might check if the fan blades are noticeably different so far as bend (bend them to be the same) or try balancing the fan.

 

[RAB]

I thought about vibration idolators. The channel nut would still be sitting in the strut...another source for vibration, right?

I think you need to send a closer picture of how the rod is attached to the strut it sounds and looks as though something is wrong with how it was assembed the channel nut should not rattle. Also there are many different styles of isolators I would start there. This is the type commonly found in commercial buildings.

 

[TheOtherOne]

Thanks for the ideas. I decided to replace the unit with a properly sized UDX45, hung via a Quick-Sling mounted to the engineered beam as seen. Cat III SS vent was $$ but pretty neat to work with.

Much quieter than the Reznor it replaced, plus can't hear it from the MBR. Redid the electric, cleaned up the gas line.

I would have angled the unit to the center of the garage door but the set angles with the Cat III vent did not allow.

A couple of neighbors, a couple of weekends, and the job is complete. Just have to remove the old vent when the weather warms up.

 

[PoorUB]

Well that was a direction I didn't expect!

But at least you have a heater a bit closer in size to the space.

Do you realize the 45,000 BTU unit is still way oversized? A 30,000 BTU is way too large! Even if you account for the tall ceiling maybe 15,000 BTU would heat it, probably less, then add the fact that there is heated space above so no heat loss through the ceiling. Plus an attached garage has less walls to heat.

I am heating twice the square feet, in North Dakota, detached garage with the same sized unit.