Low temp thermostat

[HMCFab9]

I don't know if such a thing exists or not, but I'm looking for a low temp thermostat for my garage / workshop.
My workshop is attached to my house, & because of that, it stays warmer (usually warm enough that the furnace wouldn't need to run) because of heat coming from the house. (versus a detached garage)

I have a natural gas furnace & I'd like a thermostat that would keep it just above freezing when I'm not out there. Most of the thermostats I see bottom out at 50 some degrees & that makes my furnace go on more often than necessary when I'm not out there.
If I could find one that would keep it at about 35 or so instead of 50, my furnace would run a lot less.
Does anyone know if / where I could get one like this?
I'd like a programmable one. 5 & 2 day would be nice.

 

[KenB]

Here's one: http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplie...01&langId=-1&division=FarmTek&productId=60398



Ken

 

[finn]

My gas overhead furnace installation manual stated that the minimum safe thermostat setting is 50 (or 55, I forget) degrees to control corrosion in the burner and flue caused by excessive humidity / condensation.

Just something to check into.

 

[HMCFab9]

Ken: thanks for the link, i'll have to look into that more.
finn: I never thought of that. Maybe that's the reason they don't go down any farther.

 

[purevil115]

yes anything lower than 55 will produce short life span of heat exchanger. I use a small space heater for just over freezing levels and the real furnace over 60 when im in there.

 

[CNGsaves]

All the big names make them - - - Honeywell, etc.

Google is your friend . . . . Lowes, Home Depot, Amazon, etc.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The Pro1iaq can control down to 44°F and while it is designed to control heat and cool, it can be used to control heat only.

http://www.pro1iaq.com/index.php/1-heat-1-cool/t701

Honeywell makes a low temp, garage, non-programmable thermostat. I have this one and while it works, I'm not impressed. The setting slide has no reference points on it and I simply have to set it and see what the temp settles out at and make pencil marks on the flat behind the slider. The temp dial is not accurate at all, as it can be rotated to any position you want it in. The thermostat does however, regulate temperature rather well.

http://www.honeywellstore.com/store...eraturegarage-non-programmable-thermostat.htm

I wished I had the old heat only round Honeywell thermostat with the mercury bulb in it that was in my dad's house. It does not go below 50 but they worked well and were easy to read and set.

This subject was discussed 4 or 5 years ago I recall. These two threads seem to have some good info in them.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15469

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47832

Charles

 

[HMCFab9]

I've checked & been looking in the store. They don't have what i'm looking for.

Charles: Thanks for that info & the links to other posts.

I'll see what I can find. I might call a heating place to see what they say about the condensation issue / heat exchanger problems. Thanks.

 

[purevil115]

I do hvac for a living. Trust me with the cold flue and cold return temps its a very bad situation thatll happen quick. I know some heaters can handle it but have special heat exchangers. what kind of heater do you have. This is why i run a small space heater to keep just above freezing.

 

[the_saint]

I do hvac for a living. Trust me with the cold flue and cold return temps its a very bad situation thatll happen quick. I know some heaters can handle it but have special heat exchangers. what kind of heater do you have. This is why i run a small space heater to keep just above freezing.

For in-floor radiant heat, are the heaters subject to the same concerns with issues associated with cold return temps?

 

[HMCFab9]

purevil115: Thanks for your additional input.
I just looked & it says Armstrong by Magic Chef (never even looked before)
I got it for free from a HVAC buddy that took it out of an apartment complex.
I can look for a model # if you'd like. It uses natural gas.

Basically... all i'm trying to do is keep stuff from freezing when i'm not working in the garage. I usually keep it warm in the garage, but if it's an extended cold spell (10 degrees out or colder) I may not go out there. With the thermostat only going down to 50, it runs a little more than i'd like it to just to keep it above freezing.
(I'm in Wisconsin) I'd like to keep paint, wax / polish, etc from freezing.
I do automotive restoration projects / bodywork, etc & I have a lot of (Expensive) automotive supplies out there. Primer, filler, catalyst, etc.
It's a 2 car garage that's insulated pretty well, except for a crappy door, but if I don't plan on going in or out with anything, i'll put plastic sheeting over the doorway to keep any wind out.

Because I got the furnace for free....i'm not too extremely worried about it, but I don't really want to be buying a new furnace anytime soon either.
I would eventually like to get one of those hanging units....but not for a couple years at least.
If you have more input / recommendations, please let me know. Thanks!