Pellet stove size for my shop?

[Dusten]

Shop is 32x40. 15' ceilings with a loft above. Loft is insulated. Shop walls are insulated. 1 man door. 2 windows. 2 10'x12' garage doors. Typical winter is mid 30s to mid 40s. How many btu is going to be enough? I typically work with my shop around 60* so I don't need a ton of heat.

 

[drmarkr]

I have one in my shop.....it's three rooms, so I close off the smaller rooms and the thing heats the ~1000 sq ft of the main room (16 ft eave, fully insulated) great. Winters, obviously, aren't too bad here, but shouldn't be much worse than Marysville (CA, I'm assuming?).

We also have one in as a fireplace insert in our house. I installed it 5 years ago, and have only turned the heat pump on 3 times since (3700 sq ft house). These things are awesome, IMO.

Of course, you need to carefully research/consider the issue of fire safety/insurance/etc....

 

[Dusten]

It's Washington, but near Seattle so the weather is mild. Not sure why a pellet stove would be an issue but I'll call my insurance tomorrow

 

[Jackfre]

Check out the Rinnai EX38. Gas fired, but an excellent alternative to pellet.

 

[Dusten]

Check out the Rinnai EX38. Gas fired, but an excellent alternative to pellet.

My shop is far enough from my house I don't want to pay to run my gas line out there.

 

[MagKarl]

Depends whether you plan to heat it all the time or just when you're out there. On demand use will require more output to warm the space quickly.

 

[Dusten]

It'll be on demand. Insurance says wood heat is ok.... If it's not my primary source

 

[404]

A coal stoker stove will provide heat for less money...

 

[Showkey]

It'll be on demand. Insurance says wood heat is ok.... If it's not my primary source[/QUOTE


Problem is this one says ok on wood.............if and when you have shop insurance the next 5 companies when asked........ will say no way on wood heat. ( hint...when asked about types of heat on a property do not lie or even fib)

 

[Ironhorse74]

I am a Hearth Rep in your area. I used to rep pellet stoves. It depends a lot on the efficiency of the appliance. 40, 000 btu at 80% efficiency is in the ball park. In my three car garage I have a pellet stove. Does ok most of the time.

In my new shop I am putting in a mini split. If you are buying new it is a wash.

BTW I f@cking hate pellet stoves. I have hated pellet stoves since Christmas Eve 1992. Pellet quality, user maintenance, and just general wear and tear ****. FWIW be real careful of pellets made around the sound that have had the logs laying out in salt water. They will eat your stove.

 

[Dusten]

It'll be on demand. Insurance says wood heat is ok.... If it's not my primary source[/QUOTE


Problem is this one says ok on wood.............if and when you have shop insurance the next 5 companies when asked........ will say no way on wood heat. ( hint...when asked about types of heat on a property do not lie or even fib)

My point was, I'd need two heat sources, which is pointless. Natural gas it is

 

[James-W]

My point was, I'd need two heat sources, which is pointless. Natural gas it is

I think natural gas is the best way to go. Even though the cost will be more initially, the cost to operate the heater will be less in the long term.

 

[Highbeam]

My point was, I'd need two heat sources, which is pointless. Natural gas it is

I highly suspect that your insurance guy thought that you were talking about the house vs. the unheated shop/garage. You of course need a thermostatic central form of automatic heat for the house. Before you go spending money, make it clear with the agent what you are talking about.

The fire code prohibits solid fuel heaters in a garage. Stupid rule but the rule is very clear. What is not so clear is the definition of a garage. Many insurance companies do not allow solid fuel heaters in any outbuilding. State farm is an example of this. Others allow solid fuel heaters in any outbuilding/garage/etc. so long as it is permitted. Farmers insurance is like this.

First things first, never call it a garage. Call it a shop. Don't lie about anything.

I live in Pierce County WA and got a permit for a woodstove in my pole barn. Had to switch from state farm to farmers to keep everything insured.

On the pellet stove. The biggest ones only make a small amount of heat, like 50,000 btu so no pellet stove will be too much. Bigger the better.

 

[Dusten]

I highly suspect that your insurance guy thought that you were talking about the house vs. the unheated shop/garage. You of course need a thermostatic central form of automatic heat for the house. Before you go spending money, make it clear with the agent what you are talking about.

The fire code prohibits solid fuel heaters in a garage. Stupid rule but the rule is very clear. What is not so clear is the definition of a garage. Many insurance companies do not allow solid fuel heaters in any outbuilding. State farm is an example of this. Others allow solid fuel heaters in any outbuilding/garage/etc. so long as it is permitted. Farmers insurance is like this.

First things first, never call it a garage. Call it a shop. Don't lie about anything.

I live in Pierce County WA and got a permit for a woodstove in my pole barn. Had to switch from state farm to farmers to keep everything insured.

On the pellet stove. The biggest ones only make a small amount of heat, like 50,000 btu so no pellet stove will be too much. Bigger the better.

I was pretty clear it was my shop. But I'll call again tomorrow.

 

[Dusten]

They don't allow wood burning heat sources as primary heat in any structure.

 

[Highbeam]

Is your garage a "heated" space. It's not living space. You didn't have to insulate it or meet energy code. So no, it is not a heated space. You are wanting to add a wood burning stove to your unheated garage.

 

[Dusten]

Is your garage a "heated" space. It's not living space. You didn't have to insulate it or meet energy code. So no, it is not a heated space. You are wanting to add a wood burning stove to your unheated garage.

The issue is, I'm not allowed to use wood as a heating source in any structure as primary heat.