Where would you put the Shop Heater?

[Gopherboy6956]

Hey All - Just purchased my Big Maxx 80k BTU Natural Gas heater for my shop. Trenching gas and power to the place the weekend, and will want to get the heater setup and mounted before it gets too cold.

I'm trying to pin down install location options, would love any input.

Here are the details:

The shop is 30x40, with the long sides facing east/west, and our winter wind here in Fargo, ND (brrr) comes predominantly out of the North West.
The shop will have a loft in it down the road, which will cover only about 1/3 of the shop length, but full width.
The walls are 10ft high, the peak fo the roof is about 22ft high.
I purchased horizontal venting and am going to stick with that over cutting a hole in the roof.
This will be a project shop, no automotive, and will be fully insulated to r21 walls / r49 ceiling.

I have some ideas, but I'd love to see what some of you pros would do. Here are a few pictures to help visualize.

 

[logical]

I am not a pro but have some experience with high ceilings and this style heater. You absolutely want to install a few serious ceiling fans. They don't need to be $3000 BigAss fans but something that will move lots of air at a reasonably low speed.

For placement, I'd be within 10-15 feet of SE corner along E wall, maybe even above the man door, blowing at a similar point along west wall.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Face the heater towards the north wall because that will be the coldest wall/area of the building. Install the thermostat on an interior wall……. NOT on an outside wall.

 

[regguy1]

Maybe 2 smaller heaters (each 1/2 need BTU capacity) in different locations?

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Maybe 2 smaller heaters (each 1/2 need BTU capacity) in different locations?

Thats interesting, I didnt think about that.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

I am not a pro but have some experience with high ceilings and this style heater. You absolutely want to install a few serious ceiling fans. They don't need to be $3000 BigAss fans but something that will move lots of air at a reasonably low speed.

For placement, I'd be within 10-15 feet of SE corner along E wall, maybe even above the man door, blowing at a similar point along west wall.

So my gut was telling me to install it facing north, maybe aiming for under the future loft.

I was thinking the south west corner so I'd be able to get it all the way in the corner without having the overhead door tracks etc get in the way.

 

[kbeefy]

I'm no expert but my 40x60 shop has the heater in the southwest corner pointing down towards the NE corner. My lift is on the south end of the building so it works well for me, especially considering how poorly insulated my shop is.

 

[kngelv]

Maybe 2 smaller heaters (each 1/2 need BTU capacity) in different locations?

I second this. You will have less cold spots with two heaters. You really need to make sure where you are putting the loft before installing anything.

James

 

[Gopherboy6956]

I second this. You will have less cold spots with two heaters. You really need to make sure where you are putting the loft before installing anything.

James

The only issue is Im not putting in the loft until after my final inspection (next year) and I want heat this winter haha.

 

[kngelv]

The only issue is Im not putting in the loft until after my final inspection (next year) and I want heat this winter haha.

You just have to be aware of where the loft will be so you don't end up putting the heater in a bad spot.

James

 

[PoorUB]

Maybe 2 smaller heaters (each 1/2 need BTU capacity) in different locations?

If it was a larger space, but come on, it is only 30x40, not much larger that my garage the heats well with one unit. A ceiling fan in a must.

 

[Dagny]

I would put it right where the word north is written. but it really doesn't matter if you insulate it well.

 

[NUTTSGT]

However, you lay it out, I would point it towards where the loft will be.

I would use a simple box fan on the floor, put it on low and let it go. . . . constantly running all year long.

 

[logical]

If it was a larger space, but come on, it is only 30x40, not much larger that my garage the heats well with one unit. A ceiling fan in a must.

Not sure about other brands but I got optional vertical louvers for my Reznor to get wider distribution...and yes, two ceiling fans.

 

[Gopherboy6956]

Yea a ceiling fan or possibly some in wall ducting might be on my list - Depends on what I do with dust collection and all that as well.

Thanks everyone for the input!