Vented kerosene heater in garage - allowed by code?

[dantm]

I'm trying to find a more economical way to heat my garage (insulated) than an electric heater. Currently the electric heater I have is 1.5KW for a 500 sq. ft. garage and it takes a long time for it to make a difference and won't keep up if the temp outside drops to 20 or below.

Electricity in my area is 16c/KWh so it costs me around $6/day in the winter to keep this running.

I have a Monitor K1/kerosene heater for the house which helps when we're not home and nicely keeps the temperature to 50 deg even in the coldest days.

I was thinking of putting the same type of heater in the garage - I see Monitor used heaters as well as Toyotomi (?) are good options.

The question is whether these are ok as per code? I know when I looked at another alternative (pellet stove for the times when I'm working in the garage) the pellet stove is not allowed because of open flame?

Thanks!

 

[nadogail]

Wont a Kerosene heater also have flames?

 

[dantm]

Yes exactly I have no idea if they are treated the same?

 

[theoldwizard1]

If it is a portable heater, building code do not apply. Make sure it is UL certified.

A wall mounted, outside exhaust, propane heater/furnace is a good idea. If it is only part time use, a 100 lb bottle (and a 20 lb backup) should be good. Also it should not be a problem getting it code approved.

 

[Stuart in MN]

In any case a heater (or water heater) that uses a flame will need to be a certain distance above the floor (typically 18 inches), but local or state regulations may have specifics about whether they are allowed at all in a garage. I found this document: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/09/sm/780-cmr-6thed-residential.pdf; page 621 appears to cover heaters in garages, they are allowed but you do have to have protection to keep cars from running into them.

It's probably best to just make a call to you building department, they may have a simple worksheet or fact sheet that covers what is and isn't allowed in a garage.

 

[dantm]

Thanks for all the insight...I am looking for this info for a place I have in Maine. Previously I had found this regarding the pellet stoves (from the state codes):

5. Solid fuel–burning appliances shall not be installed in any garage.

https://www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/sites...nline-files/standardsfor_solidfuel_stoves.pdf

I haven't been able to find this information for kerosene or oil-type (liquid) heaters. And once again this is not a portable type, I'm looking to have something connecting to the external kerosene tank I already use.

 

[Showkey]

Unvented kero heater ( any unvented heater) is going to fumes and unwanted moisture to the garage ( building).
At minimum any flame heater of any find must be 18” off the floor.
Then there’s the unattended part of flame heater that will concern some.

Kero is also not “economical” in most areas, especially for the higher grades. In some areas it maybe more expensive than electric and more hazardous ?

 

[yeldogt]

Those heaters should be allowed .... they are not solid fuel.

They have to be protected and elevated -- I think it's elevated 18" like a water heater in a garage.

For those not familiar -- These are basically small Japanese fuel oil heaters. They burn Kero as it's cleaner vs #2. The have closed combustion .... pumps/ fans

 

[dantm]

In 'low' mode which is just to keep the temperature warm enough above freezing (maybe 45-50 deg from outside temp of 25-30 deg) these heaters use about 0.06 gal per hr of fuel. So it's about 1.4 gal per day of usage assuming it's running non stop. With K1 at $2/gal this year it's not a bad cost at least compared to electricity in this area.