Temporary Heater?

[TheCodeMan]

24 x 41 shop, 12 ft tall on sides with two 10x10 garage doors, four windows and a single entry door. It is currently not insulated due to difficulties finding materials and it looks like it will not be going into the winter this year. Luckily, our central SC winters are mild. I am currently using one corner of the shop as a workout space. I would like to get a temporary heater, convection, radiator or forced air that will heat just that general area while we are our there. We are not looking for normal room temps, just something to raise the temps to within 10-15 degrees of what most consider comfortable when it's really cold.

Eventually I do plan to get insulation in place and will likely put in a mini-split.

Any suggestions on brands or sizes?

 

[Showkey]

I would reconsider waiting on insulation.
Insulation is not that short supply as earlier in the year in most locations. Pricing seems back in the new normal range as well. Obviously all things are local.

Is that one area walled in or open to the entire shop ?
As far as temporary heat 24x41-12’ is huge area………anything short of large torpedo heater will take for ever to heat up unless your standing right in front of the heater . Then there’s the fumes from any unvented heater. Electric is going to challenged in an uninsulated building Unless the work room is small.

 

[jack stand]

Shoot a chimney pipe outside, get a woodstove and cut firewood, then you can cut out half the time of your "other" workout
They make some nice, clean burning radiant heaters that burn k1. I believe they're completely independent of other power. (Portable) A buddy had one before his permanent heat and it worked well but I believe it was about $2500.

 

[TheCodeMan]

It is an open shop.

Could a large torpedo heater work in this capacity?

 

[FMB4]

A 'spot' heater in a large open garage will only be partially effective imo (i.e. very near to you, or blowing directly towards you). Meanwhile, it sounds like you're making your way towards a very nice garage.

 

[TheCodeMan]

@FMB4 - That's what I'm expecting, only partially effective. I don't want to heat the entire area, and I know there will be significant heat loss. I'm just looking for a temporary solution to get us through a few months of cold weather, 1-2 hours max several days a week. I just want to select a safe solution.

I'm thinking large torpedo blower at back of room blowing heat across workout area, with one garage door open halfway to exhaust any fumes.

 

[Fasthotrod]

It is an open shop.

Could a large torpedo heater work in this capacity?

It can. My wife bought me a 125k Btu/h forced air propane heater and large propane cylinder. (DeWalt brand.) I have a 40x50x14 shop with an open span ceiling and a 4/12 pitch. It's about 21' at the peak. It didn't take long, and I had to shed clothing because I was starting to sweat.

 

[Showkey]

The problem with the torpedo heater the hot air stream and bad fumes are one in the same.

Large torpedo will do it 125k-200k BTU …….you will need large propane cylinder 20# at good for 30k. BTU.

 

[PoorUB]

Why not just temporary some walls and ceiling and get an 5,000 watt electric heater?

I thought I should add. Years ago I had a large shop that was impractical to heat. I put up a couple 2x4 walls and sheeted both sides with 4 mil plastic so there was a dead air space. I was able to heat the area with a 5K electric heater. It worked well enough for what I needed at the time.

 

[Jackfre]

A temporary unit for the whole of the uninsulated space will give you a grossly oversized unit once you get the insulation done. PoorUB has a good idea on bringing the load back a bit. An excellent piece of equipment is the Rinnai 824.

 

[ripperd]

If you are only trying to heat a small area and heat a person, not objects, radiant will be a good option.

 

[ripperd]

One or more of these guys would work well. https://www.comfortzoneproducts.com...roducts/ceiling-mounted-radiant-quartz-heater

 

[rawen2]

One or more of these guys would work well. https://www.comfortzoneproducts.com...roducts/ceiling-mounted-radiant-quartz-heater

I'll second that. They heat objects (you) instead of the air.

Or something like this which also heats objects:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mr-Heater-30000-BTU-Portable-Propane-Tank-Top-Propane-Heater/1001333858

 

[nadogail]

Heating with wood will warm you twice; once when you cut the wood and again when you burn it.