I'm new to this forum and just starting out finishing my 2.5 car garage. I have blown R30 in the attic and installed r13 in the walls. I don't spend a whole lot of time in the garage (two young kids) but enjoy it when I do. I'm having a hard time deciding on heat options. I live in Michigan so it gets cold in the winter. In not sure if I should install a 240 electric or natural gas heater. I don't have 240 at the garage or a stub out for NG but both should be simple enough. With limited time spent out there should I just go for the electric option? Is it worth the extra expense for the NG? My garage measures 22x33. Any advice would be great.
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Just starting out
- Thread starter oba97
- Start date
anthony666
Well-known member
NG is your best bang for the buck
Steevo
Well-known member
Do you have low electric rates there?
raceman6135
Well-known member
I don't have 240 at the garage or a stub out for NG but both should be simple enough.
Depending on what work you'll be doing in the garage when it's cold, a portable propane or kerosene heater may fit the bill.
Algoma56
Well-known member
Run the NG line to the garage. Always available.
Highbeam
Well-known member
You'll need 240 power out there anyway so run both. The NG is typically a cheaper fuel source per btu but electric is cheap to install and in some cases not much more money to use.
bczygan
Well-known member
Welcome to GJ.
Where in MI?
Another vote for both. NG for heat and Elec. for power.
And while you are digging trenches, try for water, drainage and communication cables.
And run some empty conduit with a pull line for future.
Where in MI?
Another vote for both. NG for heat and Elec. for power.
And while you are digging trenches, try for water, drainage and communication cables.
And run some empty conduit with a pull line for future.
bottom feeder
Well-known member
Natural gas is going to be cheaper to operate, However, you're going to have to vent it somehow, either out a wall or up through the roof (and through all that insulation you just put in). So you'll have one more hole in your roof, or a nice shiny thing hanging out the side of the wall to look at. And the vent situation will dictate where the heater can/will be placed.
You can buy a quality 240v 5000 watt electric heater for less than $300. You can hang it pretty much wherever you want. There is no vent. If you don't know how to run the wiring (or just don't want to) then factor in having an electrician do it. Yes, electricity is expensive if you run the heater a lot, but for occasional use it won't break the bank. With all the insulation you've added you may be surprised at how little it needs to run. And, after a season or so, if you don't like it you can sell it on Craig's List and no harm done.
You can probably guess which option I recommend...
You can buy a quality 240v 5000 watt electric heater for less than $300. You can hang it pretty much wherever you want. There is no vent. If you don't know how to run the wiring (or just don't want to) then factor in having an electrician do it. Yes, electricity is expensive if you run the heater a lot, but for occasional use it won't break the bank. With all the insulation you've added you may be surprised at how little it needs to run. And, after a season or so, if you don't like it you can sell it on Craig's List and no harm done.
You can probably guess which option I recommend...