Hybrid garage heating!

[R6 Racer]

That was the best title I could come up with.
My 2 car attached garage is just under 800 sq. ft., it's fully insulated with R17 in the walls & R40 in the roof. In the winter months it houses both my shop & my daily drivers. The DD's stay outside after the snow has gone.
I have been thinking about how to heat it for some time now. Ny last place had a 210sq. ft. garage shop that never housed my DD. I had a small 220v construction heater that worked fine there. I still have it but it's just not enough for the new place.
I was looking at propane like this until I discovered that it needed to be vented, & I didn't like that idea at all . I was also told of smell & condensation that would accompany such an item.
So I got to thinking... I have a few 40gal steel barrels. Could I make a double barrel stove that housed that Propane heater? I could make the "stove" with an enclosed vent system for both intake & exhaust. I am thinking this would take care of the smell the condensation & the need to have venting for the shop in general. (It gets flippin cold up here in the winter) I'm looking for your thoughts, ideas, & suggestions!!! Please, post away!

WaDaYaTink Ye Olde GJ expurts

Steve

 

[trythis]

I think you are talking about a furnace. They blow cold air over hot things that are made hot by burning hydrocarbons. The air gets hot and warms your space.

Just kidding. But it does sound like you are trying to reinvent the wheel here. Get a propane furnace or radiant tube heater.

The real problem with what you are proposing is if the propane leaks into your barrels (that are taking up too much space), you are in a room with a bomb.

 

[danski0224]

I would get something like this:

http://www.kennspenns.com/heating/wil~chmbrln~dv.html

They have natural gas and propane versions.

 

[Mike007]

I think using a heater in a way its not intended is asking for trouble. You wouldn't want to burn your house down to save a few dollars.

 

[ambenz]

I think using a heater in a way its not intended is asking for trouble.

I have to agree, DANGER, DANGER Will Robinson!
"Do it right" and it will be worry free for a long time!

 

[R6 Racer]

OK
I get it... bad idea!
Just tryin to heat the garage without spending an arm & a leg.

Saved from myself again by GJ

Steve

 

[george2c]

Here is my 2 cents worth. I have a 24x32 pole building insulated. It was just built this spring. I put in a 10,000 watt electric heater made by ouillet on the wall. We have 3 of these in the garage at work and the shop guys love them so that is why I did it at home. The other night it was 7 degress with high winds at home. The building was 24 degress inside. I put the thermostat on 60 degrees and 1 hour and 45 minutes later it was 60 min there. I was impressed. 2 nights ago the wind was much calmer and the temp was 16 degrees it only took 1 hour to get it to 60 degrees. Why not try one of these?

 

[R6 Racer]

OK so can anyone point me in the right direction...
I want to heat the garage for maybe 3 months a year. 2 or 3 times a week for maybe 4 hours each time. (I have access to natural gas, but would need to have it plumed)
I would also like to be able to cool it for the 3 hottest months of the year also.
How do I do this in the most economical means possible?

Ideas please!
Steve

 

[hilld]

How about a mini split system, get the right size BTU system for your square/cube footage.

 

[ambenz]

Here ya go...if you have a window or opening to put it in.....

Friedrich WE13C33 Through Wall AC Electric Heat 13000 BTU 230/208 Volt, 20 AMP, Seacoast Protection, EER Rating 8.9, Programmable, Remote Control Included, Wall Sleeves and Exterior Grilles Sold Separately


http://www.appliancesconnection.com/i144619-friedrich-we13c33.html?ref=pricegrabbermain

 

[danski0224]

OK so can anyone point me in the right direction...
I want to heat the garage for maybe 3 months a year. 2 or 3 times a week for maybe 4 hours each time. (I have access to natural gas, but would need to have it plumed)
I would also like to be able to cool it for the 3 hottest months of the year also.
How do I do this in the most economical means possible?

Ideas please!
Steve

Pipe dream.

Window unit for cooling.

Small heater like I linked above for heating, or a forced air unit heater.

That's gonna be the cheapest.

 

[zulu226]

You need A/C in Canada?

 

[jvitez]

With your ****-dilatation electricity rates in Ontario you should get a NG or propane (whichever you have available, NG being far cheaper) forced air unit heater or radiant heater and be done with the heating side of things.

IMO a radiant heater would fit the bill the best: rapid warm up of objects, and most say they are a bit more economical to run as you don't need as high an air temp to feel comfortable because you and your vehicle/tools are being heated directly.

http://www.easyradiantworks.com/ezdoz.htm

For cooling, get one of the these two:

http://www.seabreeze.ca/fans/TurboAire/turboaire.html

(I've got this Seabreeze one, and made in Canada!),or

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8105041/

If not enough, time to look a big window AC units.