radiant tube heat

[Alsv8vair]

So I have been looking into heaters, mainly Radiant tube heaters.

My question is of those of you who have one are you happy with them. the one that is recommended for me only needs 3 feet of clearance from the heater.
any photos of your set ups would be great.
My garage is 20 x 24 , 12 foot ceiling . insulated. a hoist and two cars.

thanks

 

[Buckgnarly]

Got a pic or two in here...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382777

Love my tube heater. Did not want to spend the money on in floor, and did not want the long recovery time from in floor so tube was next best thing. Also picked it over forced air because of quieter operation.

 

[TractorJeff]

I was not familiar with them until the I started the current job! They heat the items and you and the floor! No dust blowing around is a big benefit I have noticed. I have just started pricing them along with forced air hanging heaters. Just haven't totally figured out the fuel supply issue yet.

 

[Fueler]

No problem with my Reverberay tubes. I highly recommend tubes where possible.
Keep a spare ignitor because they don't quit in the summertime.
It may last for years or one year. Just a matter of when.

 

[Double J]

I absolutely love my tube heater and wouldn't have any other type of heater for
my space.

 

[camaro454]

Love my tube heater 2 stage shop is 24x40.works great

 

[Rockcam]

Me too - 24 x 45 with cathedral ceiling. Quiet and warms you like the sun.

 

[larry4406]

I absolutely love my tube heater and wouldn't have any other type of heater for
my space.

Double J - nice shop!

The radiant tube unit looks ideal at the peak of the shop roof.

Propane or natural gas?

Slab temp at 74 is impressive as well! Did you insulate the slab?

 

[Zaxxn]

I absolutely love my tube heater and wouldn't have any other type of heater for
my space.

I am thinking about radiant tube heat at this point too and saw your pics and was wondering if there are any issues with having a car up on the lift while the heater is on? I'd think it would get a pretty hot roof, no? I have 14' ceilings in the shop and that is pretty much the only concern I have going with tube instead of a regular unit heater.


Thanks,
Zax

 

[meathooker]

Had a 4 ton ac with 80k furnace in my last shop. The one I’m starting now will have radiant and a 4ton rtu for cooling only

 

[Buckgnarly]

I am thinking about radiant tube heat at this point too and saw your pics and was wondering if there are any issues with having a car up on the lift while the heater is on? I'd think it would get a pretty hot roof, no? I have 14' ceilings in the shop and that is pretty much the only concern I have going with tube instead of a regular unit heater.


Thanks,
Zax

There are minimum clearances, that's the reason mine is in the ceiling corner and not running down the middle. I needed 4' of clearance and with 14' ceilings and lift that was not happening. They will ruin a paint job if you get a car too close!

 

[Stuart in MN]

Many tube heaters are designed for use with higher ceilings, so make sure you get one that will work in your space - that information should be in the heater specs.

 

[Double J]

Double J - nice shop!

The radiant tube unit looks ideal at the peak of the shop roof.

Propane or natural gas?

Slab temp at 74 is impressive as well! Did you insulate the slab?

Thank you. NG and the slab is not insulated, but I typically don't keep it that warm either. Whatever the temp is set at, the slab is also very close to that. It does drop down 8-10 deg from what it's set at to the far corners and at the garage door sill.

I am thinking about radiant tube heat at this point too and saw your pics and was wondering if there are any issues with having a car up on the lift while the heater is on? I'd think it would get a pretty hot roof, no? I have 14' ceilings in the shop and that is pretty much the only concern I have going with tube instead of a regular unit heater.


Thanks,
Zax

I believe mine required 60" from surfaces, however, where I have the lift positioned is also the coolest part of the tube heater and I have no worries whatsoever. It's certainly not even close to leaving your car outside on a hot sunny day. Another thing to consider is that if you're well insulated the heater doesn't actually cycle very much to maintain temps.

I might not feel as comfortable if the lift was directly under the first 15'-20' from the heating unit though (in between the black truck and Civic.)

I few shots of different vehicles on the lift under the tube for scale.

 

[Zaxxn]

There are minimum clearances, that's the reason mine is in the ceiling corner and not running down the middle. I needed 4' of clearance and with 14' ceilings and lift that was not happening. They will ruin a paint job if you get a car too close!

Any issues with uneven heat in the building on the far side from the heater? My shop is 28' wide, and I was contemplating the corner installation and changing the reflector angle as well to get additional clearance to the cars on the lifts.

 

[Zaxxn]

I believe mine required 60" from surfaces, however, where I have the lift positioned is also the coolest part of the tube heater and I have no worries whatsoever. It's certainly not even close to leaving your car outside on a hot sunny day. Another thing to consider is that if you're well insulated the heater doesn't actually cycle very much to maintain temps.

I might not feel as comfortable if the lift was directly under the first 15'-20' from the heating unit though (in between the black truck and Civic.)

I few shots of different vehicles on the lift under the tube for scale.

Thanks for the shots - much appreciated! I might have to mount it on the one side of the building and angle the reflector to accommodate for cars on the lifts. My plan is to keep the shop around 45F while I am not using it, and if I am e.g. on the way home from work and know I want to work that night in there crank up a wifi thermostat to 68F or so and have it nice and warm by the time I get out there, so I am not sure how much the system will cycle considering it's a new, well insulated building.

--Zax

 

[Double J]

Thanks for the shots - much appreciated! I might have to mount it on the one side of the building and angle the reflector to accommodate for cars on the lifts. My plan is to keep the shop around 45F while I am not using it, and if I am e.g. on the way home from work and know I want to work that night in there crank up a wifi thermostat to 68F or so and have it nice and warm by the time I get out there, so I am not sure how much the system will cycle considering it's a new, well insulated building.

--Zax

I'm sure you'll be fine mounted to one side. You may even prefer the cooler side of the bldg for work related tasks, especially when the tube is doing its business.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Any issues with uneven heat in the building on the far side from the heater? My shop is 28' wide, and I was contemplating the corner installation and changing the reflector angle as well to get additional clearance to the cars on the lifts.

None whatsoever, the whole place is evenly heated.

 

[Zaxxn]

None whatsoever, the whole place is evenly heated.

Thanks, Buckgnarly and Double J for the info. I really like the radiant tube heat more and more over a unit heater. The only downfall I have to deal with is that I am limited to one or two 120gal propane tanks to run it, but as long as the efficiency is as good as the unit heater, that shouldn't be an issue with the limited use of the building.

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[Buckgnarly]

Thanks, Buckgnarly and Double J for the info. I really like the radiant tube heat more and more over a unit heater. The only downfall I have to deal with is that I am limited to one or two 120gal propane tanks to run it, but as long as the efficiency is as good as the unit heater, that shouldn't be an issue with the limited use of the building.

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I kept mine at 50 last year with one 120 gallon tank with no problems, had it filled/topped off twice and it was a BRUTAL December. I added a second 120 gallon this Summer just in case, but certainly not neccesary.

 

[Zaxxn]

I kept mine at 50 last year with one 120 gallon tank with no problems, had it filled/topped off twice and it was a BRUTAL December. I added a second 120 gallon this Summer just in case, but certainly not neccesary.

That's awesome to know! And you're even a bit further north of me. May I ask what brand and size heater you have?

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[Buckgnarly]

That's awesome to know! And you're even a but further north of me. May I ask what brand and size heater you have?

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80k, Roberts Gordon Blackheat BH-80

http://www.robertsgordon.com/

My friend installs these in WalMart garden centers and PA DOT garages.

 

[Zaxxn]

Thanks again for the info! Much appreciated!

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[Bert_]

Thanks, Buckgnarly and Double J for the info. I really like the radiant tube heat more and more over a unit heater. The only downfall I have to deal with is that I am limited to one or two 120gal propane tanks to run it, but as long as the efficiency is as good as the unit heater, that shouldn't be an issue with the limited use of the building.

Sent from my moto x4 using The Garage Journal mobile app

Most of the time a radiant heater will use less fuel then forced air. The difference gets bigger in big or drafty buildings.