Radiant tube advice

[SteveP]

Okay looking for some advice. I have attached a drawing of my pole barn that I plan on buying a tube heater for. My question is where to put it. I am debating on one 100K 40' unit placed along the back wall, but am concerned about getting enough heat toward the overheads. This would be much easier, and also cheaper to install. My second option is to get two 50K 20' units and install them as in the drawing, but am concerned about enough heat getting to the storage loft. It doesn't need to be 60, but enough where liquids won't freeze. If I did go this route, can I get 30' units and cut them down to say 26-27' or so? Don't know why, but this is killing me!!!!!!!!!!

 

[krooser]

If you have 12'walls you could mount it in the center of the shop. I have 10' walls and have mine on the front wall of my shop on a 45 angle. My shop is 30X50... I heat 30X34' area.

A 100K unit is overkill...my 80K will melt your face. I should have bought a 40 to 60K unit... I have R19 in my walls and up to R30 in the ceiling. I cut my heater down about 6' to fit the 900+ sq. ft. that I heat. You do the cut on the cold end of the tube.

 

[oldtractors]

If you have the headroom, put the heater more towards the center and avoid mounting the heater at 45 degrees. I was told that it directs the heat too much towards the ceiling and you lose some efficiency. I put mine out about 6' from the wall and angled it about 20 degrees. 30' is plenty long in your 48' building, if it is high enough. I assume it will be high enough, since you have space for lofts. Ideally, the heater should be directed at the concrete slab. The warm slab is what will warm the rest of the building.