Temp electric heat for 48x36 building

[sportglfr07]

Hi,

I'm in the process of building my garage. It'll be insulated (r30 ceiling, r7 sides) but I'm still trying to determine how to heat it. I live in MO and it'll only be heated intermittently. I'm leaning electric since I don't have NG on my property and don't want to have to deal with a propane tank. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any experience with the TPI Suspended electric salamandar heater?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200450270_200450270

I was also thinking about getting two of the below heaters... Any thoughts?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200638483_200638483

Any help would be appreciated. thanks!
Ryan

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depending on the size of your garage, 2 smaller heater usually works better. The price is right, but depending on how many hours a month you actually use them you may not be happy with your electric bill ! (Electric resistance heat usually has the highest operational cost.) Depending on how big your garage is and what the outside temp is when you want to work inside, you might need 3 or even 4 of those small ones !

This kerosene/diesel heater has gotten very high rating by folks on both YouTube and Amazon 70,000 BTU Kerosene Radiant "Sun Stream" Heater

 

[Elginz]

Go radiant,
A link to what I have had for years now, I also put one in the studio I made for my daughter.
The advantage is the you are heating the things not the air. It is ideal for a situation where you can't hold the heat in. Which was the situation when I started using it. At just over $200 to purchase, 3000 w at 13 cents a kw? = $.39 an hour to use. Most of the heat goes in to the things you touch so you can work before the air has to warm up, or then the air warms the objects, then you can work. If you like cold air blowing on you get a forced air type unit, or if you insulate and seal things up tight like I did, it still works great. I suppose there are better type of units for different situations. I do have the option of in floor heating, but my floors are warm with this unit. Get a couple of units and just heat the area you are going to be working in. even if you do something else I would get on for the area you spend most of your time, the heat is almost instant.
http://www.heateroutlet.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=568&idcategory=441#.VKW7DyujNDE

 

[tlmartin84]

I checked with a couple local installers, turns out they had a 2.5 air handler, with a 10kw heat strip.

It was brand new, but several years old. I made sure parts were readily available. It set me back $300. A few bucks for some ductwork and I am set.......

I'd call and check, it is worth a shot. The nice thing about an airhandler is the option of AC later on.

 

[sportglfr07]

Thanks for all the input! I like the idea of the radiant heaters because it sounds like it will be much more economical. Kerosene may be a nice addition if I need instant heat but I think I'll start with the radiant and see how they do... It sounds like I would spend a fortune trying to do forced air and my goal really is to get a minimal heat on some specific items and to keep the operating cost down.

 

[thickhead]

I use a U.S. made King KBP2406 (under $300 shipped from Amazon) and so far think highly of it. Really worth looking into using multiple of these instead of the two large ones you listed. It will let you taylor how much heat you want and where you want it.

 

[jvitez]

+1 on electric radiant heat for your application.

I'd also have a portable heater available in addition to the permanently mounted electric radiant, either kerosene or propane depending on your local costs. If you get a particularly cold snap, use both electric and fuel burning. Turn off the fuel burning heater once you're comfortable and the electric radiant will keep it there.

A 40 lb propane tank and a "top hat" style heater would serve you well, and you probably wouldn't need to use it very much:

http://www.mrheater.com/convection-heater.html

 

[sportglfr07]

+1 on electric radiant heat for your application.

I'd also have a portable heater available in addition to the permanently mounted electric radiant, either kerosene or propane depending on your local costs. If you get a particularly cold snap, use both electric and fuel burning. Turn off the fuel burning heater once you're comfortable and the electric radiant will keep it there.

A 40 lb propane tank and a "top hat" style heater would serve you well, and you probably wouldn't need to use it very much:

http://www.mrheater.com/convection-heater.html

Love this idea! Thanks!

 

[jvitez]

You're very welcome. Glad to help!

 

[sportglfr07]

Elginz - I went with the radiant heater you recommended. I just got them mounted and the wiring ran to them... My question, what kind of switch would you put them on? Ideally, I would like to be able to put them on a 12 hour timer but but I can't seem to find a timer that would support a 220v circuit. Any suggestions?

Any suggestions from the group?

Thanks!Ryan