Propane or Electric?

[homelessdespot]

Hi All, I have a 20ft x 20ft insulated attached garage (with insulated but drafty doors) I'd like to heat every once in a while to work in. Just enough to take the chill off, and only probably a few times a month for a couple of hours. It's usually around 40F in there all winter (Northeast).

I have a 1500watt electric oil filled space heater I could use but it's a little weak and takes forever to heat one side of the garage. Doesn't raise the temperature much.

Was thinking about getting a propane heater and running it off a 20lb tank for faster warm up times but do those create moisture problems?

Would I be better off with just a second 1500watt electric heater?

 

[6768rogues]

Given your choices, I would use electric heat. The propane heater will give off a lot of moisture and that moisture will condense when you turn the heat off. For an electric heater, you could use a radiant type heater that is aimed at you while you are working or use a cube heater that has a fan. An oil filled radiator type is nice for continuous use, but, as you noticed, it will take a long time to warm up the space.

 

[homelessdespot]

Thanks! I will definitely pick one up.

 

[Chetter]

For your doors, if you are talking about overhead doors with tracks, check out the green hinge system. I have those on my 2 garage doors and they work great at keeping the doors tight against the seals even in high winds. They are worth the price since I heat my garage 24/7 during the winter and I use a Mr Heater propane forced air heater.

 

[PugetDude]

With operating costs at a wash, I'd go with electric. No flames, tanks, or lines to run. One installed, it's just set and forget. I know others have mentioned power outages as a problem, but you're not going to be out in the shop without power anyway.

Post pics of the installed heaters!

 

[couch67]

baseboards in a similar sized space, insulated, and for occasional heating was my choice 20 years ago and never regretted it. Compact, quiet, and very low cost installation.

 

[ForceFed70]

I would not use a ventless gas heater. The condensation is horrible. Especially in your scenario where you turn off the heat after.

The cost of installing a vented heater is high and it's unlikely you'll see any return on investment.

Another vote for electric.

 

[Bretny]

To add to the negative on ventless gas heaters. They can give you a terrible head ache. They are ether be warm and not breath or breath and be cold.

Fo that small of a building electric should be fine.

I also live in the northeast. Your not going to beable to run any decent size heater off a 20lb tank when it gets cold here. You will need a 100lb tank. A 20lb tank is only good to vaporize 18kbtu at 40* and we both know it gets alot colder than that here. Even a 40lb tank is only good to 31kbtu at 40*.

 

[greenskeeper]

Hi All, I have a 20ft x 20ft insulated attached garage (with insulated but drafty doors) I'd like to heat every once in a while to work in. Just enough to take the chill off, and only probably a few times a month for a couple of hours. It's usually around 40F in there all winter (Northeast).

I have a 1500watt electric oil filled space heater I could use but it's a little weak and takes forever to heat one side of the garage. Doesn't raise the temperature much.

Was thinking about getting a propane heater and running it off a 20lb tank for faster warm up times but do those create moisture problems?

Would I be better off with just a second 1500watt electric heater?

Do you have an electrical panel in your garage? Could you run a circuit for a 5k watt forced air electric heater? Northern Tool has one for around $100

 

[Falcon67]

I use this, and used it back when I had a 24x20 shop. Works good, doesn't run very much if the shop is insulated. I have a lot of propane in 30 lbs tanks - don't use it.

 

[txvwnut]

I have both in mine. I use the propane to help get it to a comfortable temp shut it off and let the electric maintain it.