hydronic hanging heaters

[gearman]

I know heating a shop is the last thing on most peoples mind...in August, but Im in the process of building one and need to make some choices. The use of the shop is light auto work and more woodworking. The building is divided into two sections of 12x36 with 11 ft cieling height. I have insulated cieling with fiberglass bats R-30, walls R-19. I heat my home with a wood boiler and hope to mount a hydronic unit in each section of the above described shop. How much heat (in btus) would I need to raise the temp to 55-60F in the winter (10F outside temp).

I am looking at a Beacon Morris 118A 18k BTU, a Modine HC-18 12kbtu and a Grainger 5PV19 18kbtu. All of these run just under 500dollars each.

Does any one have any of these units in their buildings? if so how do you like them and do you have any tips?

 

[shotgunfatcat]

I use Radiant heaters, But the larger you go, the better, and they are probably more efficient when running a slightly lower setting (This is mostly true, something way to large would be un-efficient). Plus if you do want it warmer it can handle it without running constantly. 18k btu is about good for 450 sq. ft. and you are under that. I would possibly go larger because of your higher ceilings.

 

[gearman]

That is very helpful. The autoshop side we dont plan on keeping as warm. The woodworking part..a bit warmer. I may go with a slightly smaller unit in autoshop, a bit more capacity in wood shop.

thanks

 

[tcianci]

I have a 22x25 garage with 8 foot ceilings and have a Beacon Morris 24K BTU unit heater. The walls have R 13 and the ceiling has R 19. This heater will toast the place no problem even when its 0 out. I know you mentioned going a little smaller in the auto shop but consider recovery rate if you need to open the doors up on a winter day. A heater that has a little more capacity will bring the temp back up faster. This feature is also useful when you keep the shop cold when not in use. My garage is attached and it seldom goes below 30 in there but when I get home at night, I turn it on and it's warm in no time.