Questions-infrared radiant propane heater

[BlackLead]

I'm looking into putting heat in the garage. 48x22 with 9' ceilings, 3 bays plus work area. Insulated walls, sheetrock, insulated doors. Checking BTU sizing on various calculators on the internets, I get readings all across the board, from 27k up to 115k?! Holy ****. I'm guessing it's more art than science. At any rate, I'm thinking around 40k will do what I need. I'm looking for about a 50 degree temp differential, since I live in a fairly warm climate (south Mississippi). My original thinking was to use two smaller heaters to divide the space about equally, but a Mr Heater 25k unit seems to be about $300, while the 40k version can be had for less than $100 more? I keep thinking that two heaters would work better at balancing the heat, but that's a considerable price difference. For those with a single heater in the garage, of the radiant gas type, how does it do for keeping the whole space warmed? Good enough, or do you wish it was better distributed? And if anyone knowledgeable can tell me if 40k is about right, or not, I'd appreciate that input too.

 

[herbet99]

I'm in Virginia and use a radiant propane heater to heat my 20X20 garage. Initially, I have to stay close to the heater to get warm (I hate the cold). but after 20 minutes or so, most of the space is comfortable. The only downside is that my wife has to check on me every so often to make sure I haven't asphyxiated myself.

 

[FXR]

I did not think it got that cold in south Mississippi to need heat?

Anyway, I went with a kerosene radiant. I wanted a diesel radiant but it was overkill for a garage.

Here is my thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48014

 

[tcianci]

I wish I could point you to a good heat loss calculator online, but it's allmost all SCIENCE and a little art. You shouldn't be getting numbers all over the map. My WAG is that about 50K BTU would do it for you and if you do choose IR Propane radiant heaters, you will be much happier with 2 units than one. IR heat will warm objects that can absorb energy in the IR range, air will not absorb IR energy so with an IR heater, the objects in the room will warm long before the air in the room and the air only warms as a result of the objects giving up their gained heat to the air in the room. What we sense as comfort is warm air in the room so if you use this type of heater the comfprt level will go up with 2 units because it should help with the distribution.