It's getting cold, looking at furnaces, found 2. Thoughts

[383 240z]

shop is about 32'x40' plywood siding, OSB interior walls. I'm working on the insulation. R-13 going in the walls, R-30 at least in the ceiling. The ceiling is metal. Concrete floor. I do have a 12x32 room inside the building that serves as my machine shop. It has R-13 walls and ceiling. I'll be blowing more in on top of that when the time comes. I have only electric in the shop. No natural gas service in my area.

Was at my local Orange store today and saw this,
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ProCom-2...H=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1-2-_-NA-_-203526434-_-N
and this,

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reddy-He...-Blower-BWH30NLTB/100672695?keyword=bwh30nltb

I'm leaning towards the second one as it comes with a blower installed.

However Tony from Chicago left a great review on the Pro-Com unit, the first one, since he is in the same climate as me I hope he was accurate. Now I don't know the difference between these or the infrared ones I have been seeing. Like this one,
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Williams...H=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1-5-_-NA-_-202903140-_-N

I would need to install a regulator and at least a 100lb propane tank, maybe 2. I would love to be able to leave it set around 40*F all winter long. The temp swings and humidity changes are driving me nuts. Keith

 

[mygarageone]

The 3rd one you show is exactly like one I heated a 700 sq ft cabin with. I didn't have a blower on mine and it did a great job , if you set it at one temp and leave it there when your not in the garage . It will heat just fine , then turn it up when you want it warmer.
But it will produce moisture if it's not vented. And if your garage is too air tight , it may shut off on the oxy sensor. Mine never did but when your in and out no problem

 

[383 240z]

I'm working on sealing up the shop. Going to take me awhile. I did not know that the ventless style would manufacture water vapor. This is the one thing I can not have. Not in a machine shop, or in my shop, not with all the precision tools and vintage sheetmetal in there. Should I be looking at propane furnaces? Maybe like from a mobile home?
This? http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/4700691025.html or http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/4699693246.html if I go new something like this,
http://www.westsidewholesale.com/go...ND-0Uoi1rAdOVWbmTzue3K2BKM_1-xVLRbBoCFy_w_wcB

Keith

 

[mygarageone]

I'm working on sealing up the shop. Going to take me awhile. I did not know that the ventless style would manufacture water vapor. This is the one thing I can not have. Not in a machine shop, or in my shop, not with all the precision tools and vintage sheetmetal in there. Should I be looking at propane furnaces? Maybe like from a mobile home?
This? http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/4700691025.html or http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/app/4699693246.html if I go new something like this,
http://www.westsidewholesale.com/go...ND-0Uoi1rAdOVWbmTzue3K2BKM_1-xVLRbBoCFy_w_wcB

P
Keith

Propane produces moisture and when it's not vented guess where it goes. But you can get a vented one for a few buck more and you'll be better off.

 

[msgross]

For your neck of the woods I would look into one of these... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DBQLN8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those wall units seem like a good idea for a basement, but not a shop...

 

[383 240z]

That's what I keep going back to. Was hoping to save a few hundred with the wall unit. Wonder how long 200lbs of propane would last? Keith

 

[pseudorealityx]

If you don't want moisture, you need to either vent a gas burning heater, or use electric/hydronic.

Combustion ALWAYS produces water vapor.

 

[383 240z]

Electric is really not an option. Power here is pretty expensive compared to propane. Keith

 

[Scott65]

I bought a USAP 125 that was less than one year old off Craigslist for $500 a couple of years ago. It is a great unit and pretty efficient. There are often used ones for sale that are in great condition.

 

[msgross]

do you have natural gas? Propane is cheap right now but isn't always... You could get a 500gallon tank outside and it would last a few years I bet.

 

[Randy in Maine]

My propane guy gives me a 100 gallon tank if I buy the gas from him for $0.10 more per gallon and fills me automatically. I would look into that option.

 

[383 240z]

No natural gas in my area. Propane,coal, and wood are my only real options. I have a large coal/wood burner, but the price of the triple wall pipe has got me looking for other options. Keith

 

[383 240z]

Im going to look at a 30k btu ventless propane heater tomorow. Likei said its 30K btu, one year old with 100 lb tank, regulator and hose. He wants $200 for it. I have a decent sized de-humidifier that I can move out to the shop area im heating. Its 12x28x7 with r-13 in all walls and ceilings. Ill toss a smoke/CO detector in the ceiling as well. I imagine that space will heat rather quickly, I just hope I can pull most of the water back out of the air. Thoughts? Keith

 

[msgross]

If you don't like it then sell the heater, keep the tank setup and get what works best.

 

[sourdough]

Wonder how long 200lbs of propane would last? Keith

Propane weighs about 4.2 pounds per US gallon at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. That's about 47 gallons. If you are using 2 100# tanks filled to 80%, that's only 160#. The building is 1280 sq. ft. Assume a t-stat setting at 60*.

Short answer: not long, maybe 3 weeks or so.