Replace overhead Modine heater w/ something quieter

[CCSulli]

By no means a contractor or engineer, so bear with me. I'm converting a 2,000 sq ft garage space (concrete walls and floor) into a cafe. But, I'm trying to do it as cheap as possible since I don't own the building. (5yr lease, 5yr option to renew). We have a Modine High Efficiency 200000 BTU Gas Fired Unit Heater

Every time the thing starts up, it sounds like we're launching a missile. So, I'd like to replace it. We do have floor heating upstairs on the 500 sq ft mezzanine (an office) and keep that door open. The biggest issues are the noise, maintaining heat coverage w/ 17ft ceilings (excluding beneath the mezzanine), and of course the expense of any new installation. I have a few friends who are contractors and will seek their help, but I'm always looking to better my garage knowledge.

Also, the building owner might consider paying for parts if I pay for installation... or vice versa.

 

[JB40]

Sounds like an infrared tube heater would fit the bill. It only heats people and objects, not the air. There's no main blower to kick up dust and make a lot of noise. It will save you fuel. They need venting, gas and electricity, and hang with chains. It could be removed easily down the road, although finding another application to use it with may be hard. Get a heating contractor to come in and survey the space to make sure you meet all the clearance requirements the manufacturers put in their installer's guides. Here's a location for products, I would start by picking any of them and opening the installation guide to get some knowledge about the system: http://www.h-mac.com/heating/gas-heaters/gas-infrared-heaters.html

 

[madosta]

The modines are great for heating large "leaky" garages and greenhouses. They seem to blow a lot of hot air and do a great job.

Is this is a cafe for eating? Have you thought about just a gas furnace and some fancy looking duct overhead? Seems like you might be able to get by with something like that if the place is insulated and large doors aren't being opened a lot.

Not a great pic, but something like this:

 

[brewchief]

Changing the purpose of the building is going to create some challenges, to meet code you need to bring in outside air, in most cases a rooftop unit will be the best choice.

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