Mr. Heater installation height

[jxm7202]

I was at Lowes looking at the Mr Heater garage heaters. On the box it said it needed a minimum of 8' between the floor and the bottom of the heater. I only have 8' to my ceiling which would put the bottom of the heater 6' 8''. Is the 8' requirement for safety or to make it function properly? I can't imagine why it would need 8' of clearence below and only 1" above. Thanks

 

[frankush]

My garage ceiling height is slightly higher than yours. I installed a Modine unit that is similiar to the Mr. Heater and it works fine. I think the biggest issue is keeping it from getting hit at that height. Codes for commercial installations basically require the 8' to the bottom install. Take a look at the install instructions and you decide. Mine is located near the back wall and has almost no chance of being hit by a vehicle.

http://www.mrheater.com/upload/newsletter/MHU_HSU_CUH_60016_BL.pdf

 

[dave67fd]

I was at Lowes looking at the Mr Heater garage heaters. On the box it said it needed a minimum of 8' between the floor and the bottom of the heater. I only have 8' to my ceiling which would put the bottom of the heater 6' 8''. Is the 8' requirement for safety or to make it function properly? I can't imagine why it would need 8' of clearence below and only 1" above. Thanks

They are for safety. Installation requirements and codes are written for a reason. If you have no desire or intention to follow them, install how you want.

IMO, If it doesn't fit the requirements for your garage, look elsewhere.

 

[jxm7202]

Thanks frankush! I was thinking it was more of issue with it being hit then airflow or other reason. Now my only problem is that according to all the btu calculators I used it is about 10,000 btus to big. I thought i had read someplace you want to slightly undersize your furnace, something about having it run longer is better than having it start constantly. Anybody here know if thats true or not?

 

[dave67fd]

jxm,
What size is your garage? How well is it insulated, What size heater are you looking at?

 

[jumpingryan]

The code is likely there for the reason of hitting your head.... but also to provide some barrier from touching the hot parts.

If you do go ahead with the install, I suggest you over think the safety a little. While the heater won't get extremely hot to the touch, the flue will likely burn skin especially if it is a single wall. I suggest a B-Vent, and if allowed from the manufacturer, an insulated one.

I would also consider a retrofit metal heat shield to provide a barrier between the flue and anybody who would want to touch it just as an added safety measure.

Good luck!

Ryan

 

[frankush]

I personally wouldn't worry about it being "slightly" oversized. Placement of the unit is important. Follow all the clearance guidelines. I have a 4 drawer file cabinet, a couple of Jeep doors and my 20 gallon compressor directly underneath mine. The cabinet of the heater does not get hot to the touch and I've never accidentally hit it with anything. I am also the only one that uses my garage.

The Modine instructions specifically say that in residential applications, only a 5' clearance from the floor is required. Instruction manual below.

http://www.alpinehomeair.com/related/Modine HD-HDB Installation and Service Manual 7.2011.pdf

 

[nwav8tor]

I just installed my 75K heater and page E4 of the operating manual said the minimum for intallation in a residantial garage was 18" above the floor and that the heater must be located or protected to avoid physical damage by vehicles. My inspector only checked to see if the bottom of the heater was higher than the top of the garage door opening, otherwise he said it would've need to be protected by posts inbedded into the floor.

The only mention in the manual of 8' clearance from the floor is for parking structures or aircraft hangers in CANADA!! However, it also allows for installation in residential garages with the same requirements in Canada as in the US.

Since your location is indicated as SD, I think you're good to go. Read the manual carefully, there's lots of info/requirements "sprinkled" here and there in it. If you have any questions, call the manufacturer, they're easy to work with and will give you the "straight poop."

Paul

 

[jxm7202]

dave67fd My garage is 19'x23'x8' inside, 2x6 walls with r-19 and 8" of blow in in the attic

frankush I will be hanging it in a corner, probably venting it out the sidewall. I think I will be putting a lazy susan style bolt bin underneath it so probably no worries about someone getting burnt by it.

nwav8tor I saw that but I thought i should ask on here before I made a big mistake.

thanks to everyone who has replied!

 

[darkk]

I have a similar heater *Hot Dawg* in propane. It has been installed in my 22x24 garage at 7'4" off the floor. It has been there for around 12 years. I have had no problems with it or safety....

 

[Cowboy69]

I was told as long as there is a bench or rail or something that looks perminent under the heater so that it wont get hit by a car/truck, ect. it was fine, and I vented mine out the back wall as I have soffit venting on my side walls. And was also told that too big of a heater will shorten the life of the unit as it builds up with condinsation, Just repeating what I was told.