Mr Heater Big Maxx Install

[Homewrecker]

Hey all. First post here but I've been lurking for a while.

There's currently a sale on the Mr Heater Big Maxx 50,000 BTU heater in my area. It's $200 off right now and selling for $499.

I'm debating whether to buy it and either find someone to install it or install it myself. Alternatively, I can pay someone for a unit and installation. I was quoted around $1600 for a basic unit with installation (no details on the heater were given). I would think that it's cheaper to buy the unit and have it installed.

I've read some of the posts on here where people have installed these heaters themselves. My concern is the plumbing for the gas and proper venting that conform to regulations. If these are not installed by a licensed gas fitter I'm assuming there may be an insurance issue down the road.

I'm having a hell of a time finding someone that installs garage heaters in my area (Toronto). If anyone on here knows of someone I would appreciate it if you provide me with their contact info.

This heater will be installed in a new construction home and I had asked the builder to install a roughed-in gas line in the garage ceiling for a future heater. They quoted around $500 and stated that it would not be connected at either end. I opted not to get it and now I'm wondering if that was a smart decision since the gas line will have to be run outside the wall or I'll have to tear open the drywall and run it behind for a cleaner look.

 

[CNGsaves]

That's not a bad price for Big Maxx 50K Btu heater. Those were as low as $399 last year but that may relate to fact that prior models were 45K Btu and they changed new model to 50K Btu.

You're probably better off not paying builder $500 for gas line that was open at both ends . . . . thus never pressure tested, yet drywalled in !! More than likely that greedy builder was going to throw in CSST anyway which is ****. The big red flag was fact that they weren't going to stand behind their work and pressure test the line.

Sounds like this is attached garage, so really your issue is where to tie into natural gas source. How far away from NG meter?? Is the mechanical room with NG line for furnace in basement so adding a black pipe steel extension of NG line to garage could be easily done?? Or last idea is go from mechanical room with furnace, UP through an interior wall and in attic over to garage wall to heater area . . .this possible?? Keep in mind that contractor lengths of black pipe steel is 21 ft sticks so it won't take many connections to get over to garage. Leak test with soapy water at all joints along with pressure test will be needed to ensure you have no leaks once completed. After that, can even use sniffer for further verification of no leaks.

Depending on length of pipe run, you'll likely want 3/4" pipe. Good luck.

 

[Homewrecker]

Thanks for the info.

The garage is attached. The furnace is in the basement against the side same side of the house that the Heater will be installed close to and vented out of. The gas meter is on the opposite side of the house. It shouldn't be a problem tee-ing off from the furnace and then having the pipe come out beside the hose tap in the garage. I can then cut open the drywall in the garage and run it straight up into the ceiling. I was also told that CSST would be more expensive to run than cast iron pipe.

I'm concerned about the horizontal venting requirements though.The manual states that the vent termination has to be a minimum of 4' below soffit vents etc. That would make for a somewhat weird install. The Garage ceiling is about 13'-14' high. I was planning to hang the heater a few inches below the ceiling. If I did that however, the vent would terminate outside
maybe a foot underneath the soffit. In order to meet the 4' minimum distance requirement that would mean I would have to hang the heater at least 4' down from the ceiling. That would look ridiculous. Unless I misunderstood something......

 

[CNGsaves]

Wow, that sounds like monster-sized garage if your ceilings are 13' to 14' high! What is overall size of garage?? Are all the walls and ceiling insulated?? Is garage door insulated?? Have you sized the 50K Btu heater to handle the square footage of garage with your heat losses??

Post up some pics of corner that you propose to install the heater. Also post pic of where the horizontal vent will be outside garage.

You'll get best advice with most details / pics.

 

[Homewrecker]

Actually, the ceiling height is now down to 11.5' after the gravel was laid and the concrete slab poured. I got them to pour a 5" Slab with no slope for my future Max Jax install.

Anyway, the garage is only 20x20 so the 50,000 BTU Big Maxx should be plenty.
I did end up buying it on sale at TSC. They were only selling LP units so I picked up an LP-NG conversion kit.

I've got some pics I'll post of the area I'm looking at and what the outside of the proposed vent wall looks like

 

[Joevano]

I just picked up a Big Max heater myself and am going through the same process.

I have not yet read the instructions, but, I believe the 4' requirement is assuming that the exhaust is UNDER the soffit.

If you exhaust beyond the edge of the soffit, I think you are OK. That way the CO can't loop back into the house through .the soffit vents

 

[24ModelTFord]

Hey all. First post here but I've been lurking for a while.

There's currently a sale on the Mr Heater Big Maxx 50,000 BTU heater in my area. It's $200 off right now and selling for $499.

I'm debating whether to buy it and either find someone to install it or install it myself. Alternatively, I can pay someone for a unit and installation. I was quoted around $1600 for a basic unit with installation (no details on the heater were given). I would think that it's cheaper to buy the unit and have it installed.

I've read some of the posts on here where people have installed these heaters themselves. My concern is the plumbing for the gas and proper venting that conform to regulations. If these are not installed by a licensed gas fitter I'm assuming there may be an insurance issue down the road.

I'm having a hell of a time finding someone that installs garage heaters in my area (Toronto). If anyone on here knows of someone I would appreciate it if you provide me with their contact info.

This heater will be installed in a new construction home and I had asked the builder to install a roughed-in gas line in the garage ceiling for a future heater. They quoted around $500 and stated that it would not be connected at either end. I opted not to get it and now I'm wondering if that was a smart decision since the gas line will have to be run outside the wall or I'll have to tear open the drywall and run it behind for a cleaner look.

I'll get a number for you tomorrow. I had a guy run a gas-tite line to mine last fall. 50K big Maxx was the best investment I made. i did my own install and got him to run the line, but he installs them as well as furnaces. I'll PM his contact info to you tomorrow.

 

[Homewrecker]

I'll get a number for you tomorrow. I had a guy run a gas-tite line to mine last fall. 50K big Maxx was the best investment I made. i did my own install and got him to run the line, but he installs them as well as furnaces. I'll PM his contact info to you tomorrow.

I would appreciate that. Thanks alot

I'll probably get the gas line and exhaust venting done. I don't want to take a chance and end up with insurance issues after.

The one I got from TSC was for LP. That's all they were selling. I picked up an NG conversion kit for $40. Still a pretty good deal though.

I don't have a full size soffit overhang around the garage. It's only about 4-5 inches; not nearly as much as the rest of the house. The vent termination wouldn't have to stick out as much as a result.

I can't wait to get this thing installed but there's a catch. The house isn't finished and won't take possession of it until the end of November lol.