how much!

[rick fraley]

i have a 30x40x10 pole barn that i want to heat. it is insulated with r-30 walls and a metal ceiling with r-60 plus blown insul. barn is tight with 1-9x16 insul.door and 1-9x10 insul. door also has 1 entry door.i want to heat with either electric or propane overhead heater this will be heated 24-7 so i want to get the best bang for my $ i need to know how many b.t.u.s and what worksbest for this gas? electric? i cant use wood etc. as i have a real bad back. i should also note that it has a 4" concrete floor.it gets pretty cold in winter so any sugestions will be apreciated

 

[Jim greengo]

Do you want forced air with duckwork,or just a hanging heater?

 

[2011laramie]

I use to own 24x28 well insulated garage that i actually tracked heat use 2 winters ago. Averge over the winter my 45000btu heater ran 2 hours a day.

If you shop is that well insulated id say a 45 or 60btu modine would be lots

 

[James-W]

One thing you need to keep in mind is that you have a 10ft ceiling. The heat will want to rise up toward the ceiling so you will need a way to get the heat back down again.

As to the heater size, that depends on some things. How often will the overhead door be opened and closed? How warm do you want it in the building? Do you plan on parking icy cold vehicles inside to thaw out and melt the snow off them?

 

[Showkey]

As per the internet :

Beulah is 13.71¢/kWh.[1]
This average (residential) electricity rate in Beulah is 2.97% less than the Michigan average rate of 14.13¢/kWh.[2]

If averages are normal in Beulah than:
My guess is heating with electric would be twice the price of propane. If Nat gas was available it might be 30-50 cheaper than propane.

Your local utility or other internet sources have online calculators where you input your specific cost of electric .$13.7 and the exact cost of propane in your area.......it will tell the comparative costs.

In my area:
Electric is twice the price of propane.

Some other comparisons:

Heating .cost................Electric ..........NatGas...... saving
"................................. $2,050 ........$664. $1,386

Propane compared to NAT gas. Propane is $663 more expensive for 800 gallon comparison.

 

[PWC Repair]

Since you will be heating full time I would be looking at long term cost to operate. I think if I were in your shoes I would be looking for a 65-75000 btu 96% efficient upflow gas furnace. Set it on a metal box. Run a very simple round pipe duct straight up And out across the ceiling to the other side of the shop with six, eight inch adjustable take offs pointed in various directions. The whole thing can be done for $1500 or less.

 

[Jackfre]

For that space I’d not go over 50kbtu

 

[ford33]

OP should get a heat calculation furnace sizing done by a reputable HVAC company. As stated, you need to get that heat moving from the 10 foot high ceilings to the floor. I use ceiling fans in my heated garage and it makes a noticeable difference in comfort.

BTW, I heat my 1800 sq ft home with average level insulation comfortably in Chicago winters with a 60k BTU 85% efficient furnace.