Please help the gal out with heater install question

[foodie]

Hi Guys, I am trying to pick an electric heater for my 1 car garage. It is insulated, I am not going to use it all the time. The electrician is going to install a 240v line etc. How do you guys turn your heater on and off if it is mounted so high? The electrician wants me to use a heater that has a remote, but the ones I have viewed do not have good reviews, are made in China and basically **** out after 1 year. So please help me with this question? How do you turn your off and on without a remote? I can't imagine that you use a step stool every time you want to turn it on or off.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[rooster4321]

Mount it lower as heat rises anyway

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

 

[foodie]

Yes, that does make sense. But since I am only 5'2" I would still have to use a step stool. Is it possible to have an on/off switch within arms reach to control the unit?

 

[gayler]

My guess is use a wall mounted thermostat. Hope all goes well with the install.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Z7EBCE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Gayler beat me to it.

 

[foodie]

Thanks guys. Initially this is what the electrician said he would do. Now he has sent me emails of ones that have a remote and internal thermostat. Are the ones that have to be hard wired more difficult to install than those with a plug attached? Are the hard wired ones more prone to default or have problems? I just want to get the best unit. I believe in buying the best and only doing this once. Some units have failed after 1 year.

 

[LXCam]

Just have him install the properly rated switch at normal height. The only real difference between a cord connected unit verses a hard wired one is the rated wattage. Damn near any of them that require a circuit higher then 20amps will be a hard wire unit. There's exceptions but it's pretty basic stuff. As far as installation it's just more time and material to do a hard wire and switch. And as you already know, stay clear of any overly techy cheap options. There's a lot to be said for just a simple heater that has a line rated thermostat in it, they are fairly robust and if something does fail very easy to fix.

 

[foodie]

Thanks so much LXcam. That is what I wanted to verify. I don't want the cheap techy options as you stated, more trouble than they are worth. A basic on/off switch is what I want.

 

[LXCam]

Do you know what wattage heater you're looking for?, that would help in suggesting the best options.

 

[foodie]

Yes, I am having them put in a 240v line so anything with those specs. I have searched this board for recommendations and the internet and have come up with a few different models. I have given those to the electrician. I have asked him what specs he is looking for, I am waiting for his answer. I also asked him to just give me an on/off switch. He has been promoting those with a remote. I just emailed him again with my requirements, nothing fancy. Thanks again LXCam

 

[OccupantRJ]

I would suggest using a line voltage thermostat. With an on/off switch it might be easy to forget to turn it off and find the area at 100* when you return.

 

[foodie]

Thank you RJ I will tell the electrician that.

 

[ForceFed70]

The line level thermostat is likely your best option - sounds like you've already decided to go that route.

Another thing you could consider is a heater that's designed for use with a remotely located thermostat (not remote control). That's a more fancy heater tho and the line level thermostat will likely be the most affordable option.

 

[Jim greengo]

Yes, I am having them put in a 240v line so anything with those specs. I have searched this board for recommendations and the internet and have come up with a few different models. I have given those to the electrician. I have asked him what specs he is looking for, I am waiting for his answer. I also asked him to just give me an on/off switch. He has been promoting those with a remote. I just emailed him again with my requirements, nothing fancy. Thanks again LXCam

You need to know how big the heater is to size the wire for it.

 

[foodie]

The line level thermostat is likely your best option - sounds like you've already decided to go that route.

Another thing you could consider is a heater that's designed for use with a remotely located thermostat (not remote control). That's a more fancy heater tho and the line level thermostat will likely be the most affordable option.

Thanks so much ForceFed, yes, initially he said he would install a remote thermostat, now it seems as though he maybe backing away from that decision. I will remind him again of this.

 

[foodie]

You need to know how big the heater is to size the wire for it.

Thank you Jim for that information. I have sent to him all of the different heaters I have researched. I am assuming he will know what to do with each of the different options. Thanks for that information. I will also research that myself. I like to know the details of things like this when installing things in my house.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Have you considered baseboard heaters? Or are you looking at one of the infrared heaters? I have had a single 240v baseboard heater in a 10 by 14 area of my shop that is walled off for an office and bathroom. That heater has been in use for about 28 years. The area always stays well above freezing. In the summer time, I flip the breaker off. The unit has a built-in thermostat.

 

[foodie]

Have you considered baseboard heaters? Or are you looking at one of the infrared heaters? I have had a single 240v baseboard heater in a 10 by 14 area of my shop that is walled off for an office and bathroom. That heater has been in use for about 28 years. The area always stays well above freezing. In the summer time, I flip the breaker off. The unit has a built-in thermostat.

Hi Jeff. I don’t have an area for a baseboard heater. My garage is tiled with a border. But thank you because that was a consideration.

 

[OccupantRJ]

If you use a thermostat for a heater, it needs to be an “open on rise” type. For a cooling fan a “close on rise” is used. The line thermostat would also need to be able to handle the amperage use of the heater.

 

[foodie]

Thanks RJ. Had to look that one up for the definition.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You are welcome. I was just holding a carrot out in front of you. It is good that you decided to take it and run with it.

 

[75gmck25]

I'm interested in why several folks have recommended using a line voltage thermostat. I'm used to working on house heating systems, where the thermostat is running off a 24 volt transformer. This make it easy to run low voltage wire to locate the thermostat whereever you want it, and there are many types of thermostats available.

Is it hard to find a moderate cost garage heater that is set up for a low voltage thermostat?

Bruce

 

[BillK]

I have one of these mounted on the wall next to my electric panel. It is a plug in 240v unit and keeps my 2 car attached garage toasty warm. I have it mounted about a foot below the ceiling and my Wife can reach the controls on the front just fine. It has a built in thermostat. It has worked fine for at least ten years.

https://www.marleymep.com/products/qmark/unit-heater-muh35-series

 

[merc66rkm]

I have the larger 7500 watt version of this heater: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579
and it has been working well. I installed an external line voltage thermostat similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TKFQF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
on the wall next to the door in my garage. I love it.

 

[ForceFed70]

Is it hard to find a moderate cost garage heater that is set up for a low voltage thermostat?

Bruce

Yes - heaters that are designed to work with a low voltage thermostat are considerably more expensive.

 

[rpcraft]

I'd recommend getting a 6 foot wooden step ladder, and then having the heater at the proper height to keep it from banging into objects as you might move them around in the garage. Use the ladder to set the thermostat until you get it comfy, and then you also have something to change light bulbs and other things around the domicile.

 

[foodie]

I have the larger 7500 watt version of this heater: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200578579_200578579
and it has been working well. I installed an external line voltage thermostat similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TKFQF0/?tag=atomicindus08-20
on the wall next to the door in my garage. I love it.

Hi Merc, that is the exact one of the heaters I picked out. Thanks for posting the information with the thermostat.

 

[foodie]

I have one of these mounted on the wall next to my electric panel. It is a plug in 240v unit and keeps my 2 car attached garage toasty warm. I have it mounted about a foot below the ceiling and my Wife can reach the controls on the front just fine. It has a built in thermostat. It has worked fine for at least ten years.

https://www.marleymep.com/products/qmark/unit-heater-muh35-series

Thanks Bill I will look into those. A good reference and especially knowing it works well.

 

[foodie]

I'd recommend getting a 6 foot wooden step ladder, and then having the heater at the proper height to keep it from banging into objects as you might move them around in the garage. Use the ladder to set the thermostat until you get it comfy, and then you also have something to change light bulbs and other things around the domicile.

Thank you rpcraft, I have a Lerner 6 foot ladder, it comes in handy.

 

[BillK]

Foodie,
Here is a picture of mine as it is mounted. It is 76 inches to the thermostat knob so that gives you an idea if you could reach it ok.

 

[foodie]

Oh Bill thanks so very much for the picture. Yes I would need my step stool but no problem I keep one in the garage anyway. I’m only 5ft 2...
I’m definitely going to look into that model and make the suggestion to the electrician.
I like it also that you use it as a fan only with no heat, that sounds great for the summer also!!
How long have you had yours, have you had any problems with the thermostat as other reviews have stated??

 

[OccupantRJ]

Foodie, since it seems you have chosen a heater with built in thermostat, you can now have the electrician wire it with a wall switch to shut it off when not needed, and the thermostat can just be left on the desired setting at all times if you wish.

 

[BillK]

Oh Bill thanks so very much for the picture. Yes I would need my step stool but no problem I keep one in the garage anyway. I’m only 5ft 2...
I’m definitely going to look into that model and make the suggestion to the electrician.
I like it also that you use it as a fan only with no heat, that sounds great for the summer also!!
How long have you had yours, have you had any problems with the thermostat as other reviews have stated??

I have had it at least ten years and have no problems whatsoever. I probably use it three or four nights a week and weekends during the winter.

My Wife is about the same height as you and she reaches it ok without a stool.

 

[foodie]

Oh awesome good to know! Do you find the fan (210cfm) to be strong enough to circulate the garage? My garage is 22x12. The ceilings are high though approximately 20ft at one point, I have an enclosed loft area, but it is all insulated, except for one wall, new insulated garage door also.

 

[foodie]

Foodie, since it seems you have chosen a heater with built in thermostat, you can now have the electrician wire it with a wall switch to shut it off when not needed, and the thermostat can just be left on the desired setting at all times if you wish.

Thank you RJ. That’s a great idea.

 

[foodie]

Also Bill, did you purchase it with the cord attached or did you purchase it hard wired?

 

[930dreamer]

Do you have room to add a ceiling fan also?

 

[foodie]

Do you have room to add a ceiling fan also?

Yes possibly. The one part of the ceiling is high but slanted. The other part of the ceiling were the loft is, is about 12 ft high, the loft is enclosed with drywall and insulation.

 

[BillK]

Foodie,
My garage is 22 x 22 but low ceiling, probably 8 ft. The fan works fine in that area. I have never used it during the summer so I don't know how it would be for cooling. With your high ceilings you might have use another fan to help circulate ?

Mine came with the cord and I installed the outlet for it. It was easy for me because my main panel is right next to the heater.

 

[foodie]

Great thanks Bill for your time and information. In the summer, it may not cool the garage but it would be good to at least circulate some air if needed. In the heat of the summer I am not out there anyway as much. I just thought it was great that this unit compared to others you can use the fan only without the heat.
I’m assuming it is pretty quite as well since it is not very big??