Found this forum kind of by accident. Hope to gain from the posts here. So I guess I will say “hi” and start by asking a question...I have done some research on this topic but wanted to see what others have to say. I have a detached “two car garage” let’s in this case call it a “workshop” built behind my house. It gets mighty cold in the winter and would like to heat it with a wood burning stove. I have heard both that sure I can do that and others say hell no....anyone??? Thanks. Jim
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- Thread starter Knipps
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XRlifer
Well-known member
I wanted to put one in my pole barn, but my insurance agent said it was a big no-no. There's a lot in there that would need replaced, and it wasn't worth the risk of no coverage.
Yeah I’ve heard that but they will let me put it in a house where there is greater possibility of loss of life. I don’t really care if they don’t insure the structure I just want it to be usable more than a few months out of the year. I could run a gas line but that’s plenty more expensive and frankly not as cool.
My shop is about the size of a two car garage. I heat it with a 6kw electric heater. it takes it about one hour to get it up to a reasonable temperature. I live in northern California it's unusual for us to see temps below 40*. Our costs per kwh are $.035 so its about $2.10 to operate. A bit expensive but no venting, no plumbing and no open flame. Installation was easy but you need a 240V service.
I have a small electric heater as well and a kerosene heater. The electric is way too small to heat that space for as cold as it gets here and the kerosene heater just stinks and like I said earlier isn’t as cool. I’m willing to have it installed properly taking all the safety precautions into account. Guess I just don’t like someone telling me what I can do with my property.
banjopete
Well-known member
Go take a tour of the heating and ac section here I'm sure you'll find something in there.
If you haven't already, doing what you can for insulation will make a huge difference as far as retaining heat and keeping heat out. I'd wonder about condensation depending on the sorts of work and tools you have out there.
I'm 6 years into my house now and just 2yrs in with a heated garage and it's given me so much enjoyment. Depending on how long you plan on being in the place I'd look very hard at getting that gas line out there and putting up a proper heater and tstat. Yes it costs more but on demand heat is a thing of beauty. The upfront costs will fade from memory very quickly once you experience a winter with it.
Where are you located? What are your expected heating costs? How much for wood? Gas? NG ? Cars in the garage? Heated all year every day? Few hours a month?
If you haven't already, doing what you can for insulation will make a huge difference as far as retaining heat and keeping heat out. I'd wonder about condensation depending on the sorts of work and tools you have out there.
I'm 6 years into my house now and just 2yrs in with a heated garage and it's given me so much enjoyment. Depending on how long you plan on being in the place I'd look very hard at getting that gas line out there and putting up a proper heater and tstat. Yes it costs more but on demand heat is a thing of beauty. The upfront costs will fade from memory very quickly once you experience a winter with it.
Where are you located? What are your expected heating costs? How much for wood? Gas? NG ? Cars in the garage? Heated all year every day? Few hours a month?
Nothing wrong with a properly installed wood burner, just two obstacles, your insurance company and the AHJ.
Sounds like the first one has already presented an issue.
Sounds like the first one has already presented an issue.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Insurance and the AHJ aside, open flame heating isn't always the greatest idea if you creating dusts, using aerosols or anything that gives off explosive, flammable or combustible vapors and gases.
Tommy
Tommy
nadogail
Well-known member
I put a 5 KW electric heater in my workshop, no chimney or flame hazard. It hangs from a truss chord.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
Details?
It was traditional around here. traditionally you want a very good chimney, and the stove, and lots of expendable trees. Tall stoves were seemingly more popular in the garage, and that was probably because old stoves were just like that, and people put old stoves in the garage. Wood fire pretty much goes out every night. If you work out there all day you would enjoy most of the day. It warms up in an hour. If you work out there a little time here and there it’s a lot less practical. If you value your time it may not be very cheap. Cut a lot of wood as a kid and I don’t miss it. I’m allergic to trees now.
GRivera
Well-known member
I wish you the best but suggest you insulate shop to keep heat in. Be careful with the flammables as others have already pointed out.
Insulation and climate control for my shop was best decision I ever made. I have a 36K Mr Cool mini split, R19 Walls and R38 ceiling. I keep the shop at 60 degrees all winter and don’t even notice it in my electric bill and the shop is a pleasure to work in.
Insulation and climate control for my shop was best decision I ever made. I have a 36K Mr Cool mini split, R19 Walls and R38 ceiling. I keep the shop at 60 degrees all winter and don’t even notice it in my electric bill and the shop is a pleasure to work in.