how many BTU's ????

[9dreizig]

I"m in the middle of my 50 x 50 x 15 steel building garage.. I'll be heating with propane.. Any suggestions or calculations as to how many BTU's my heater will need to heat it ? It won't be continuous , just when I'm working in it.. would also like to keep it above freezing in the winter however ( I live at 6800 feet above Reno, NV )
Oh and brands of heater suggestions are welcome as well

 

[jomobco]

You will need to figure out your insulation first. I have R19 walls and R30 ceiling in a 64x40x14 space with a 61k BTU pellet stove which keeps it very comfy.

I'm guessing you're not 6800' above Reno but at 6800'? I'm at 6400'.

 

[Shop Specialties]

Depending on insulation I would ballpark you in the 175,000 BTU range.

 

[toyotadriver]

Without knowing your level of insulation it's impossible to answer. I heat my 30x40x10 with open rafters with a propane 80k Mr Heater. But mine is very well insulated.

Also need to know what size and how many windows and doors you have as well as how often the garage doors are opened.

 

[Repsolracer22]

People are just throwing out random numbers. You cant get a real BTU calc without length, width, height, insulation, AND the temp rise you are looking for.

so take my place for example. 40x60x12 with r19/r38. say its coldest is zero deg outside and i want it to be 70 inside .... well that calc is about 90,000BTU. That is a calculator from an ACTUAL heating company. Reznor Heaters.

Granted it NEVER gets to be zero in Maryland. And Im NEVER going to put the thermostat at 70. And on top of that .... i still bought the 125,000 BTU version. Just made me feel good but its complete overkill

So 175k is beyond ridiculous for that space. In any temp/scenario. Unless you'll be leaving the garage door open 24/7

 

[Shop Specialties]

People are just throwing out random numbers. You cant get a real BTU calc without length, width, height, insulation, AND the temp rise you are looking for.

so take my place for example. 40x60x12 with r19/r38. say its coldest is zero deg outside and i want it to be 70 inside .... well that calc is about 90,000BTU. That is a calculator from an ACTUAL heating company. Reznor Heaters.

Granted it NEVER gets to be zero in Maryland. And Im NEVER going to put the thermostat at 70. And on top of that .... i still bought the 125,000 BTU version. Just made me feel good but its complete overkill

So 175k is beyond ridiculous for that space. In any temp/scenario. Unless you'll be leaving the garage door open 24/7

I have been doing heating for 25 years and I am not just throwing out numbers. With decent insulation I put it at approximately 150,000 BTU so at 175,000 BTU input, you will be at about 145,000 output. Then you factor in he is at an altitude of 6,800 ft and my number is in the ballpark.

 

[Showkey]

SS is not far off the mark.......That 15' ceiling and the altitude adds a whole nother " dimension" to the btu chart.

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[Ironhorse74]

Without knowing efficiency and insulation aball park is 4 btu per cubic foot in new tight construction and 6 btu per cubic foot in older looser construction.

 

[9dreizig]

You will need to figure out your insulation first. I have R19 walls and R30 ceiling in a 64x40x14 space with a 61k BTU pellet stove which keeps it very comfy.

I'm guessing you're not 6800' above Reno but at 6800'? I'm at 6400'.

Damn I hate punctuation I meant I'm at 6800 feet , above Reno.. Reminds me of that quote about helping my Uncle Jack, off his horse

I'll get the insulation numbers as yes it's insulated.

 

[Repsolracer22]

More BTU the better! F it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[9dreizig]

ok so I'll have R19 insulation on the roof and R 13 on the walls.. suggestions ?

 

[Shop Specialties]

ok so I'll have R19 insulation on the roof and R 13 on the walls.. suggestions ?

I stand by my number of 175,000 BTU input.

 

[toyotadriver]

That's not much insulation. Not sure your layout but maybe install a couple heaters? I suspect you'll need close to what Shop recommended. Two 80k furnaces at opposite ends of the shop might heat it well and cost close to what a single bigger heater would. Also, you might consider a residential heater with ducting to spread the heat throughout the shop.