typical run times?

[i_be_moose]

Howdy All,
Tried to search and google for my answer and it ecaspes me. Probably not wording my query correctly so

Shop is 30ft by 40ft 10to ceiling. 6" walls insulated with R19 ceiling with R39 bats.Drywall, no windows 1 36 in. entry door and 1- 8 X 10 insulated panel door.

Propane fired Big Maxx 80K in corner pointed into center of shop. Standard thermostat set at 60 degrees 24-7.

Just curious what typical cycle times should be. Heater will fire and run about 8 - 10 minutes haven't noticed how often per day it runs.

Just curious given the above is this "normal" cycling? I realize that the answer is a "it depends" type question and no observed issues just curiouity.

Thanks
moose

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Depends on the outdoor temp... if its nearing as cold as it will get in your area, then the run times seem short. You could try adjusting CPH or anticipator on thermostat to play with runtimes.

You should also record how long between calls for heat.

 

[yeldogt]

An empty shop will heat faster as well ....

Forced air .... well, it's heating the air. Air is easy to heat -- the greater the oversize the faster the air will heat and other things will still be cold. So the same shop full of cold equipment will have a different cycle vs one that is empty.

For discussion sake a 40k unit running 2x as long uses the same fuel as a 80k. I have a very well insulated 1600sf space with a 38k heater. Prior to my propane being reconnected (property under construction) it was heated with a 14k electric.

There is no correct answer .... I put time and money upfront to make it tight and insulated so I can keep it warmer w/o too much expense.

 

[TractorJeff]

Need to know the off time, between heating cycles also

 

[Unhdsm]

My setup and shop is very, very similar to yours (Mr. Heater 80K, 28X40, 10ft ceiling, r19/30). Mine generally runs about the same amount of time before clicking off.

Sent from my SM-G781V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Hobby_Man22]

My setup and shop is very, very similar to yours (Mr. Heater 80K, 28X40, 10ft ceiling, r19/30). Mine generally runs about the same amount of time before clicking off.

Sent from my SM-G781V using The Garage Journal mobile app

Okay so how long before it turns on again?

 

[Lewisthepilgrim]

...I have a very well insulated 1600sf space with a 38k heater. Prior to my propane being reconnected (property under construction) it was heated with a 14k electric.

There is no correct answer .... I put time and money upfront to make it tight and insulated so I can keep it warmer w/o too much expense.

How much insulation does it take to get "very well insulated" ??

 

[Showkey]

Other than extreme short cycling and running continuously without reaching desired temperature, I would not be too worried. Other cost of operation, if it runs “too much” insulate and seal tighter.

There are a boat load of variables in play:

Set temperature inside and temperature outside/ high winds
T stat location
Insulation and heat loss from air exchange
Heater size compared to sqft
People coming going increasing air exchange

All things equal a 30k unit will run twice as long as 60k unit. Long run times is not necessarily a problem. Yes, short run times can be an issue, usually caused by a large heater in small space.

Smart tstat measuring run times over a month or two ( heating season even better) will yield usable data to make changes to lower heating costs. Which might surprise some as how low the NAT GAS heating cost really is in many areas.

 

[yeldogt]

How much insulation does it take to get "very well insulated" ??

It's a partial foam / ISP building ... few windows and doors.


You will feel more comfortable is a cooler space when longer run times ... the closer you match the loss the more comfortable the space.

That is also based on maintaining .... w/o modulation you don't have anyway else to do it w/o going with a larger single stage heater

 

[Unhdsm]

I don't know, 10-20 minutes? That seems more dependent on the outside temp.

Okay so how long before it turns on again?

Sent from my SM-G781V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Perroflojo]

In some thermostats in the advance setting you can choose how many times it can run per hour. If the runs are too short, decrease to a lower setting.

 

[Bert_]

If by normal you mean a heater that was sized right for the space, then on a very cold day it should run most of the time. Obviously on warmer days it will run less often.

A smaller heater with longer run times is both more comfortable and more efficient.