How about a ProCom heater?

[cobrar97]

Anyone familiar with these?

http://www.usaprocom.com/product_category.php?choice=2&sid=4&prod=29

I have a 24'x24'x9' garage. I was looking at the 30,000BTU version of this heater to keep the garage 45-50 all winter and turn up if I'm out there. Does anyone have any experience using on of these. Being gas, it is cheap. Being vent-free, I'll get most off of the 30,000BTU in heat.

Looks pretty good. And it has a built-in blower. There are some other 30,000BTU versions on their site also.

Any advice?

 

[Shocker]

I looked at vent free for my shop at first, but I just don't want any kind of extra moisture in the shop so I went with a Mr. Heater that is vented.

I think the general consensus on the board is not to use vent free units.

 

[cobrar97]

Why not use vent free? You definately get more of the usable BTUs.
Is the moisture that big of a deal?

 

[ironroad 9c1]

Is the moisture that big of a deal?

Not if you like rust on your tools.

 

[cobrar97]

Is it really that bad? I have no tools sitting out...they are all in cabinets. BUT the Gladiator cabinets are steel...would they rust over time?

I just can't believe the moisture would be that extensive. That would surely be a problem though.

 

[dipper]

my buddy runs one of those types in his garage; i don't think the moisture is that big of a deal. I personally have one of those types, procom 10k btu vent free installed in my basement for the boys playroom. I have never noticed a moisture problem down there while running it.

You could try it, I would just make sure if you put gas line in, dont undersize it so it would be easy to upgrade to a larger BTUh vented beast if the unvented doesn't work out.

 

[cobrar97]

DIPPER - I have been in a couple homes with the smaller units also..and never noticed at moisture issues. That's why I was interested in advice from those who have one or know someone that does.

It just seems like an economical and efficient unit. But WHY aren't more people using them. Anyone out there have one and get rid of it for a certain reason?

 

[D KRAGER]

I would think a heater like that would take a while to warm the space up from 45-50. Keep that in mind. Maybe you're only gonna turn it up to 55-60 degrees, but if your shooting for mid 60's I think it would take a while to get hot.

 

[bucs012]

From what I have been told on this site is that moisture really does not play that big of issue unless........1. You heat from freezing to 50+ degrees, quickly and the tools stay very cold while the room is much warmer.
2. You have a LOT of moisture in the air from a room that is not insulated very well to begin with.

That is what I understand anyway. All my tools are old and beat up so I don't worry about it much..........

 

[duanesz]

I have a heater like that in my garage. When I heat it from dead cold my tools will have moisture on them and anything metal in the garage that was cold sweats. Once everything is warmed up its not to big of a issue. I dont heat my garage all the time only when I have to work on something. Sometimes when you run it their will be a funny odor in the garage you have to have enough makeup air comming into the space for the right combustion. For what I do it works ok but if I were to start working out there alot more I would get a vented heater. I also have one co2 detector plugged into the wall so I dont kill myself.

 

[cobrar97]

My garage is very tightly sealed. All new windows, doors, and insulation in all walls and ceiling. I want to maintain 45-50 degrees all winter. I won't do much work out there, it's just where the cars part. Would one of these ventless heaters work for me?

 

[Shocker]

So, IMHO I would say no. If you are going to run it all the time with a tightly sealed up garage, then you will be constantly tripping the low O2 sensor that is built in.

Where do you live? Do you experience some very low temps?

 

[Dragster Racer]

I sure wouldn't do it. Install cost is a bit more on a vented heater, but well worth it. Will you or won't you have a moisture problem? Hard to say, but that moisture will go into the room, and will eventually go somewhere. Floor? Insulation? Out the door when you open it? Plus, you are putting dangerous fumes into the air all the time. That can't be totally healthy. I take risks on a lot of things, and all calculated. But this is one that I say it just makes sense to put a vented heater in.
I have a freind with a mr heater hanging type radient, non vented heater. Insulated, heated all the time. He also has a vented heater. If he uses the non vented, moisture all over the windows and at the bottom of the walls. If he uses the vented, no problem. Guess what he uses?

 

[cobrar97]

Well thanks for all the info. I'd say vented is probably the safe, and maybe better, way to go. No worries at least. Thanks.

 

[FANTASY FACTORY]

I have ventless propane in my Trailer, Garage, and Back room, If you gotta worry about rusting tools from a few points of humidity, You should really look at where you buy your tools. I'll take 68 degrees at 74% over 74 degrees at 48% any day! humidity is your friend in the winter!