NG Heater...Can't make up my mind - HELP!

[StreetThisEVO]

I am ready to purchase a natural gas heater for my garage. I've researched, read through the forums, etc..but still cannot make up my mind on what to purchase.

My garage:

34' long x 26' wide with roughly a 9' ceiling height. There is (1) 3'x4' window, (1) man door, and (1) 2-car garage door. The garage is used for storing/working on my toys only and typically stays shut. This winter the space will not be insulated. In the spring everything will be insulated and dry walled. I live in NE Ohio btw. I plan to keep the garage at about 45-50* and will bump it up when I'm out there. I will be installing (2) 52" ceiling fans as well.

Here are the two I've been looking at:

1. Mr. Heater MHU80 natural gas (80,000k BTU) forced air heater http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200577751_200577751

** I'm sure this will do the trick but am worried about how efficient it will be long term **


2. SunStar SIR45 natural gas (45,000k BTU) infrared heater http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455641_200455641

** I like the idea of infrared heaters but am worried that this won't keep my garage as warm as I want. **


3. Reznor UDAP-75 v3 natural gas (75,000k BTU) power vented heater
http://www.totalhomesupply.com/75000-BTU-unit-heater-p/reznor-udap75.htm

** My wife can get me this unit at cost. I'm waiting on pricing but am leaning towards this one the most from everything I've read. **

I will be installing the heater myself. I wanted to keep a budget of under $1000 for everything (heater, exhaust vent, thermostat, etc..). The Mr. Heater option will be roughly $710 delivered to my door. The SunStar option will be closer to $1000.


Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Mike007]

I like the tube heater option. That will be more then enough heat once it's insulated. I think I would look for a longer model though.

 

[1953mercury]

If it were me I would go with a high efficiency condensing unit and a simple duct system. Just a plenum and filter would be fine initially. Might cost a little more, but shouldn't take long to recover that and your savings will go on for the life of the unit. Mine has been running for almost 30 yrs. Just replaced the blower motor bearings this year. Mike

Not a great pic, but gives some idea. I designed my system with motorized dampers operated by two thermostats so I heat both the shop and the house with the same unit.

 

[StreetThisEVO]

I like the tube heater option. That will be more then enough heat once it's insulated. I think I would look for a longer model though.

Due to the low ceiling height this is the 'biggest' model I have found I can safely use.

If it were me I would go with a high efficiency condensing unit and a simple duct system. Just a plenum and filter would be fine initially. Might cost a little more, but shouldn't take long to recover that and your savings will go on for the life of the unit. Mine has been running for almost 30 yrs. Just replaced the blower motor bearings this year. Mike

Not a great pic, but gives some idea. I designed my system with motorized dampers operated by two thermostats so I heat both the shop and the house with the same unit.

Not a bad idea. My garage is detached but I like what you did. Our house furnace is about 20 years old but works great. My wife works for a HVAC company and we get it cleaned/serviced every year. Maybe I should price out a new HE unit for the house and move the old one to the garage. I never thought of this option honestly. It would take up floor space but I have an area by the man door I could put it.

Thanks again for the idea. I'm not saying I'm going to do this but you definitely got me thinking.

 

[Diesel Dan]

I'm going to go with the Beacon/Morris BRT075N (75K BTU), Menards just had it on sale for $468. Since I'm not quite ready for it I'm going to wait for them to open their new store on Elm RD near Warren and see what kind of sale they have then.

If I would have put more thought into a HE house furnace I would have installed a condensate drain line in the floor.

What area of NE Ohio?
I'm around NW Warren.

 

[St-rider]

I like the forced air type but 80k BTU is too much. 45k should be plenty when well insulated.
Getting the temperatures you're looking for will be a problem without insulation when it's really cold out.
Maybe your wife could source a good used horizontal HE furnace from work and do something like 1953merc did but hang it from the ceiling to save floor space.

 

[StreetThisEVO]

I'm going to go with the Beacon/Morris BRT075N (75K BTU), Menards just had it on sale for $468. Since I'm not quite ready for it I'm going to wait for them to open their new store on Elm RD near Warren and see what kind of sale they have then.

If I would have put more thought into a HE house furnace I would have installed a condensate drain line in the floor.

What area of NE Ohio?
I'm around NW Warren.

I'm in Barberton, Ohio

 

[Diesel Dan]

Well was putting more thought into a HE home furnace so I called Carter for some prices.
They have the Winchester/Hamilton line.
95.5% efficiency:
60K BTU--$1200
80K BTU--$1249
Those prices are better than HD and Lowes from what I've seen.

 

[landlord30]

I just installed the MHU80 in my garage. The garage is 24' x 40' with 12' ceilings. I have 13 in the walls and 38 in the ceilings with 1/2" of polyiso on top of the pink all around.

I added a box fan above the garage door to help move the heat from up high. The setup works great. I have it set to keep the garage between 45 - 50 when I'm not in there.

I want to figure out how to make the box fan come on when the heater is running.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . really need to Update GJ Profile with City / State.

I did see you're in Ohio, but longer this thread goes, the more vague and skimmed over your 1st post will be.

Good luck with decision. Northern Tool has some good prices on Big Maxx.

 

[bcradio]

Mr. Heater 50k should do you fine

 

[ratdoggy]

Well was putting more thought into a HE home furnace so I called Carter for some prices.
They have the Winchester/Hamilton line.
95.5% efficiency:
60K BTU--$1200
80K BTU--$1249
Those prices are better than HD and Lowes from what I've seen.

Dan. I have a HE furnace in my home 2500 sqft with NG cooking,hot water,drier and a fireplace and my budget plan is $65 per month so it probably would pay for you.

 

[Steevo]

I went with the Mr Heater (Heatstar) big maxx 75Kbtu (same as the new 80k model), for my 24 x 40 x 12. My walls are R21 and ceiling is R58, and the heater doesn't even work hard, and is very economical on NG use.

 

[madosta]

I just bought a Mr. Heater Big Maxx 80k BTU and got it installed yesterday. It worked for a few hours yesterday. I shut it off at night, went out to the garage tonight and it would not turn on.

They are also made in China and have some bad reviews if you look for them. We'll see how well their customer support is. UGH!!! RAGE!

 

[Basstracker34]

I just bought a Mr. Heater Big Maxx 80k BTU and got it installed yesterday. It worked for a few hours yesterday. I shut it off at night, went out to the garage tonight and it would not turn on.

They are also made in China and have some bad reviews if you look for them. We'll see how well their customer support is. UGH!!! RAGE!

What code is it giving you? Flashing light inside heater.

 

[madosta]

What code is it giving you? Flashing light inside heater.

It's just a slow consistent flash. No call for heat.

 

[StreetThisEVO]

I just added the Reznor UDAP-75 v3 natural gas (75,000k BTU) power vented heater to the list. I'm leaning towards this heater at the moment.

Anyone have experience with Reznor products?

 

[madosta]

Friends have big reznors all around their greenhouses and love them almost as much as their modines.

 

[jvitez]

Can't help you with heater brand choices, but don't oversize your heater. You'll use more NG by less efficiency, and get less comfort due to heat stratification. The ideal heater size is one that will run 100% of the time on the coldest day of the year to maintain your desired indoor temp.

A 45K btu heater will be fine for your insulated space. I heated my former insulated garage in our frigid prairie climate with 25% less btu/sq ft that 45K would give in your space.

 

[CNGsaves]

If your wifey can get Reznor at cost . . . then by all means go with Reznor !!

Reznor is top quality manufacturer on par with top brands like Sterling and Modine.

UDAP-60 . . . is all that you need. Don't oversize with 75 or 80K Btu.
This assumes that you have proper insulation in walls, ceiling & garage door. Also, assumes walls closed off with "air envelope" of either sheetrock or similar airtight wall covering.

The 60K Btu from Reznor will be your best bet. Also, for grins and giggles, give us a ballpark amount that wifey can get Reznor UDAP-60.

Only potential upgrade you could consider is go with next better Reznor which is UDAS-60 . . . . which is Separate Combustion. This is model you'd want if doing lots of dusty woodworking in shop, or painting with lots of fumes. The UDAS models draw in fresh air with their own piping to outdoors. The "S" in model number refers to Separate Combustion. Be aware that installation will be MORE for UDAS models due to the extra flue pipes to outside air.

 

[dave67fd]

I just bought a Mr. Heater Big Maxx 80k BTU and got it installed yesterday. It worked for a few hours yesterday. I shut it off at night, went out to the garage tonight and it would not turn on.

They are also made in China and have some bad reviews if you look for them. We'll see how well their customer support is. UGH!!! RAGE!

Did you Install It? or someone else?

They are made in China just like 90% of everything else you own.

With the result of high numbers of units sold you have higher failure rates hence more negative reviews. Many of the problems reported are of DIY's who failed to install, operate or handle it properly.
The Heatstars are a very popular FHA heaters, their inexpensive, sell well and are reliable. Many GJ owners can attest to that.

The earlier units did have some control board problems but due to their good customer service and newer design revisions they seemed to have cleaned up the issues.

Your slow flash status LED indicates the unit is operating properly.
Can I assume you have checked all other avenue's (gas, vent, stat.)?

If you didn't do the Install call the Installer.

 

[James-W]

I have a Hot Dawg 60,000 BTU natural gas "modine type" heater. Had it for 3 years now. I like it and I would recommend it, but there are other brands that work well too.

 

[OldNeons]

Im afraid the tube radiant is going to cook you if working anywhere near it with only a 9' ceiling. My friend has a couple small radiant units minted at an angle off the walls and they do a great job heating his garage about the size of yours. Rarely runs the second one, and radiant warms the objects so less heat loss when open/close doors. Insulate well of course.

 

[StreetThisEVO]

If your wifey can get Reznor at cost . . . then by all means go with Reznor !!

Reznor is top quality manufacturer on par with top brands like Sterling and Modine.

UDAP-60 . . . is all that you need. Don't oversize with 75 or 80K Btu.
This assumes that you have proper insulation in walls, ceiling & garage door. Also, assumes walls closed off with "air envelope" of either sheetrock or similar airtight wall covering.

The 60K Btu from Reznor will be your best bet. Also, for grins and giggles, give us a ballpark amount that wifey can get Reznor UDAP-60.

Only potential upgrade you could consider is go with next better Reznor which is UDAS-60 . . . . which is Separate Combustion. This is model you'd want if doing lots of dusty woodworking in shop, or painting with lots of fumes. The UDAS models draw in fresh air with their own piping to outdoors. The "S" in model number refers to Separate Combustion. Be aware that installation will be MORE for UDAS models due to the extra flue pipes to outside air.

I'll let you know what she comes up with. I'm going to get pricing on both the 60 & 75 models. My garage will not be insulated this winter so I may go with the 75.

Thanks for the input!

 

[1940_dodge]

I have an 80k btu infrared heater and I find myself turning it off more than leaving it on because it makes my garage so hot. I have a 20x21 insulated garage.

 

[StreetThisEVO]

I have a Hot Dawg 60,000 BTU natural gas "modine type" heater. Had it for 3 years now. I like it and I would recommend it, but there are other brands that work well too.

Thanks for the reply!

Im afraid the tube radiant is going to cook you if working anywhere near it with only a 9' ceiling. My friend has a couple small radiant units minted at an angle off the walls and they do a great job heating his garage about the size of yours. Rarely runs the second one, and radiant warms the objects so less heat loss when open/close doors. Insulate well of course.

I move vehicles around to much and sometimes can have 4 cars in the garage at once. This makes for a very crowded space. I don't want a car parked right underneath the infrared tube. This type of heater might limit my useable floor space. I'm most likely going to go with the forced air type.

I have an 80k btu infrared heater and I find myself turning it off more than leaving it on because it makes my garage so hot. I have a 20x21 insulated garage.

How tall are your ceilings? What brand/model heater do you have?

 

[tinker rick]

Installed a Sterling 120 btu seperated combustion last year 48x48 with 13 ft ceilng walls r13 cieling r19 no complaints . Oh, it's propane.

 

[1940_dodge]

Thanks for the reply!







How tall are your ceilings? What brand/model heater do you have?

It's an 11 ft ceiling and hangs on about 6" of chain. It's a Roberts Gordon bh80 heater.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk

 

[plott hound]

chuck a good old American made hi-eff furnace in there and call it a day.damn garage unit heaters are very inefficient.

 

[OldNeons]

Thanks for the reply!






I move vehicles around to much and sometimes can have 4 cars in the garage at once. This makes for a very crowded space. I don't want a car parked right underneath the infrared tube. This type of heater might limit my useable floor space. I'm most likely going to go with the forced air type.
?

He is using the small rectangular infrared units wall mounted. Cars parked right under them are no problem. Two in a 4+ car garage and he said he rarely runs the second one. I will definitely go in floor for my shop.

 

[Jackfre]

Rinnai ES38. modulates 10.5-38kbtu. Modulating blower, programmable stat built in. 82% efficient, quiet and cool to the touch. You can get cheaper. You can't get better.

 

[CNGsaves]

Rinnai ES38. modulates 10.5-38kbtu. Modulating blower, programmable stat built in. 82% efficient, quiet and cool to the touch. You can get cheaper. You can't get better.

You ARE . . . kidding ...... right ???

That unit is ONLY 36.5K Btu . . . . and $ 1,525 !!!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002QXRTY4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

He'd need two of those so $ 3,050 to heat his un-insulated shop, not counting installation !!!

OP stick with your 75K Btu plan with Reznor . . that's an excellent heater.

 

[Jackfre]

You ARE . . . kidding ...... right ???

That unit is ONLY 36.5K Btu . . . . and $ 1,525 !!!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002QXRTY4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

He'd need two of those so $ 3,050 to heat his un-insulated shop, not counting installation !!!

OP stick with your 75K Btu plan with Reznor . . that's an excellent heater.

Not kidding in the least. It is an outstanding product. I can heat his shop by building a camp fire in the middle of the floor. Once that system is refused the conversation becomes about features and benefits. No other product in this list comes even close for quiet, reliable, durable and efficient heating. I've heated my homes, garages, basements with them since 1991 and will put one of these units in my new 950 sq ft garage/shop next year when I build it. If it takes a man over two hours to set and trim this unit he is sleep walking.

Consistently, here the unit heater type systems are installed. Why, because they are cheap. They are not particularly efficient. They are noisy and because they are single stage (on off on off...ad infinitum) you get a blast of heat followed by no heat again and again, rather than a unit which will modulate and run continuously, giving excellent air circulation and comfort at the lowest possible input to enable it to deliver comfort but also to continue to run. I had the preceding model of the ES38 in my old 550 sq ft uninsulated garage in MA. One morning at 0*f outside I went down to the garage, turned on the Rinnai and went up to have breakfast. After breakfast it was 65* air temp...with very cold tools, but I'll tell ya. It was real nice laying on that creeper welding in new floor pans with that nice warm air blowing across the floor.

I suspect that the op is going to improve his garage and insulate it, at which point his 75 kbtu unit is big enough to heat the neighbors garage too. You buy one Rinnai, put it in and I think he will be comfortable with it. As the building is improved comfort will be better and better. Service on these units is about nil. I blow out the blower wheels every couple years. That will vary depending upon the work being done.

As I've put this out there i must also provide this disclaimer. I represented Rinnai in the six New England States from 1991-2011 when I sold my part of the business and chased my kids west, so my bias is noted. In that 20 year period I sold over 180,000 of these little wall furnaces in that territory, with the majority going into ME, NH & VT, very heavy heating markets. The Energysavers have been in the market now for 23 years and the number sold in my old market are now in excess of 210,000. 95% of what I sold in '91 is still in the field. The only way you get that kind of consistent market penetration and support with any product over that length of time is to deliver the goods. They provide value and therefore are worth what they cost. After 51 years in the heating business, the Rinnai Energysaver is the best little heating plant I've ever seen!

So, CNG, no, I'm not kidding! You can get cheaper. You can't get better!

 

[Pate]

I've had a Reznor for almost two years and it's been great. My garage is 22" x 32" with a 12' ceiling and I went with a UDAP 45K. (NY fully insulated and finished)

 

[jvitez]

Insulate first, finish the the inside, THEN buy a properly sized heater. If you simply can't insulate this winter, just use propane torpedo heaters until you can.

Do it once, do it right!

 

[Armed in Utah]

this is what I just installed....30x48x14 steel framed/insulated


50K BTU NG unit


http://www.spaceray.com/industrial_infrared_heaters/tube_heaters/cold_blocker/index.php

 

[Diesel Dan]

Insulate first, finish the the inside, THEN buy a properly sized heater. If you simply can't insulate this winter, just use propane torpedo heaters until you can.

Do it once, do it right!

That is what I've done.
Built the shed last year, finished insulation this year.
Have been using a 40K torpedo heater so far. Not rushing the furnace so if it takes till next year so be it.

Would the furnace be nice? Hell yeah but so far this is the warmest shop I've had yet!

 

[Autorotica]

That is what I've done.
Built the shed last year, finished insulation this year.
Have been using a 40K torpedo heater so far. Not rushing the furnace so if it takes till next year so be it.

Would the furnace be nice? Hell yeah but so far this is the warmest shop I've had yet!

I just ordered a 44K BTU Patio heater style propane heater (the kind with the radiant umbrella) that I will be using this year. Maybe next year or the year after that I will get done insulating and sheeting my shed and be ready for a permanent heating system.

Chris

 

[StreetThisEVO]

Well after a long talk with the owner of the company my wife works for I finally made a purchase. I took the owners advise and purchased (2) Mr. Heater MH25NG radiant heaters off of Amazon. Amazon is currently selling them for $299.99 shipped ($599.98 total). I feel good about the purchase and trust the owner of a well established HVAC company of over 30 years. He had two of the same heaters in his own garage that I was able to check out.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006L7UZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They are 25k BTU each, require ZERO electricity to operate, are 99.9% efficient, and come with the mounting bracket and thermostat.

I will be saving at least $300 from what I had budgeted and will be using that money to get this baby insulated & drywalled ASAP. I hope to have them installed and up and running by the end of next weekend. I'll post install pictures as well as my feedback.

 

[StreetThisEVO]

Here is a scale drawing I put together over the weekend showing the heater location and how I keep the garage setup during the winter months.