Request Thoughts for Heating My Shop

[hamholfarm]

Hello,

I've read many posts on heating but I am still un-sure of my best option.

Here is the background information:

My shop is a "Pole" type building; 50'wide X 40'deep X 14'high, steel sided, a layer of Tyvek, then wood framed, ceiling has 9" of blown-in insulation with a steel ceiling, the walls (to be finished this month) will be 6" thick batts of insulation with steel walls, and it has a six inch concrete floor. Also, there are three 14' X 14' insulated roll up doors, and three insulated personell doors, but no windows. I already had a line installed from our 1000 gal propane tank to the shop, so I will definitely heat with propane. It is a home hobby shop, I do not use it every day, but when I do use it I'll spend most of the day in it. I do want to keep the shop above freezing when I'm not in it.

So, what are your thoughts of the best type of propane heater (Infrared, Vented Gas Fired Unit Heaters, Heat Exchanger Type Unit Heaters, or something else), how many heaters, and the best layout?

Also, at some point I would like to add A/C, would this effect what type of heating to use?

Thank you for your assistance,


Chip

 

[Charles (in GA)]

With a 14 ft ceiling, you will certainly want to consider some ceiling fans to keep the heat pushed to the floor, heat rises FAST!

Where are you located? Florida? British Columbia? What type of temps do you see where you are located, in other words, what kind of temp rise do you need?

Consider using a low temp thermostat. They are available from places like Grainger, and probably heat and air places can get them. Most thermostats won't go below about 50 or 55, you need to be able to set one down about 40 to 45 degrees.

Personally I would hang a couple of vented gas heaters, Modine Hot Dawgs, or any one of a dozen similar heaters, positioned to get air circulation throughout your shop. It SOUNDS like you are in a cold climate from all of the insulated doors, and the amount of insulation you are using elsewhere.

Charles

 

[SteveU]

If you already have the propane installed I would go with the IR tube heaters, this was what I was going to do before a buddy gave me a 100,000 btu corn burner furnace he won't be using. Advantages are 1. quiet 2. no wind to blow dust around 3. once they have it warmed up the slab & objects will act as a heat sink & aid recovery 4. they are supposed to be pretty economical to run.

 

[hamholfarm]

Sorry,

I forgot to put where I live - I'm in York, PA, it's about 45 minutes South of Harrisburg, the State Capital, and about 30 minutes North of Hunt Valley, Maryland. As for temperature, I don’t think I need anything warmer than about 60*F - 65*F in the winter. I didn't think it was a lot of insulation, especially since as I stated earlier, I would like to add A/C sometime in the future.

Thank you for your reply!

Chip

 

[hidollartoys]

If you are going to install AC later on I would consider a forced air furnace. You could install duct work right to the ceiling with vents installed to direct the air downward. Ceiling fans as charles recommends would be helpful.

 

[seatec]

I use a heat pump in my steel building here in Nova Scotia, heat comes out as high as 115f, -14 c is the coldest it has been and still works great. A lot of heat pumps have been installed this year in my area and they are working great. Mine is a Daikin 18,000 buts. Puttin one in my house next, to get away from wood heat. Wayne