wesalexleft
Well-known member
Okay, so I think I've narrowed down my heating options, but need some input for heating a well insulated, 20 X 20 garage. It's sheet rocked, with an insulated garage door, double pane energy efficient windows, one people door, 8' ceiling, and concrete floor. I live in Memphis and the "winter" here runs from around mid-December through early March. The average winter lows are in the low 20's with winter highs in the low 30's. My plan is to get a fuel burning heater to bring the garage to temp quickly and then switch to one or two electric space heaters to maintain on the days I'd be working in the garage. By price and purpose, I've narrowed the choices down to the following, but I'm now in analysis-to-paralysis mode and was hoping for the tie-breaking votes. The heating range I'm looking at is between 12K to 25K BTU for safety as well as versatility. Here's what I have with some pluses and minuses. Feel free to ring in on radiant versus convection for working in the garage as well.
A two burner Propane Tank Top- tank top where the 20LB tank can serve double duty during the summer with the cooking grill. BTU's are adjustable, but doesn't look like a good emergency heater for indoors if power is out. The ones that clamp onto the 20LB propane tanks.
Kerosene convection heater-Not very adjustable and another negative is having to store it during the other months along with storing kerosene containers, etc. Looks like the best option for emergency indoor heat when power is out. BTU output is strong at around 23K for quick initial heating. These are the round, barrel kerosene birdcage types.
Kerosene radiant heater- Not the best for BTU's with only 10K option that I've found locally. Storing is still a problem, but the radiant heaters are smaller with a better close quarters safety than the convection kerosene which requires about 3' all around. In the 2 car garage, 3' around is a lot of clearance.
Small convection propane heater. Almost the same as the tank top, but the unit puts out approximately 15K to 25K BTU. Looks like it's not as efficient as kerosene and doesn't offer a safe alternative emergency heat for indoors if power is out. Rapid heating in garage though. This is the "mini" version of the grey propane barrel heater by Dyna-Glow. Sits off-tank and is connected by a hose.
A two burner Propane Tank Top- tank top where the 20LB tank can serve double duty during the summer with the cooking grill. BTU's are adjustable, but doesn't look like a good emergency heater for indoors if power is out. The ones that clamp onto the 20LB propane tanks.
Kerosene convection heater-Not very adjustable and another negative is having to store it during the other months along with storing kerosene containers, etc. Looks like the best option for emergency indoor heat when power is out. BTU output is strong at around 23K for quick initial heating. These are the round, barrel kerosene birdcage types.
Kerosene radiant heater- Not the best for BTU's with only 10K option that I've found locally. Storing is still a problem, but the radiant heaters are smaller with a better close quarters safety than the convection kerosene which requires about 3' all around. In the 2 car garage, 3' around is a lot of clearance.
Small convection propane heater. Almost the same as the tank top, but the unit puts out approximately 15K to 25K BTU. Looks like it's not as efficient as kerosene and doesn't offer a safe alternative emergency heat for indoors if power is out. Rapid heating in garage though. This is the "mini" version of the grey propane barrel heater by Dyna-Glow. Sits off-tank and is connected by a hose.