Will this heater work for my shop?

[JUNK-MAN]

Hey all, I'm getting sick of this cold weather and am looking for a fairly inexpensive heat source for my shop, I don't have the exact measures, but the best guess I have is around 500 sq ft. My search led me to a dual head radiant propane heater witch clamps to a 30lb tank. The shop is an uninsulated pole barn style building, with plenty of gaps. My question is will this kind of heater work for my application? I am not looking to get it 75 in there but liveable at least, I only am in there at nights and on weekends. Thanks

Here is a pic of the shop.

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[Adk Mike]

They work fine. My shop is also 500 square feet. I used that type of heater when I finished it. Keep that propane tank outside when not in use. That’s best for safety.
After my shop was finished I installed a Modine Hotdawg HD45. If you ever get to that point a nice unit for that size shop.

 

[kelpaso1]

Well if you don't insulate and vapor barrier first you are just throwing away your money which negates the "cheap heat" part.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Insulate first. Especially above. You'll save more in propane than the insulation costs.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Definitely air seal 100% first then insulate. Otherwise your "cheap" solution isn't really that cheap. The insulation cost will pay back quickly.

 

[rburke65]

I haven't found any cheap heat. Insulate.

 

[hardalada]

After you have made the workshop "airtight" with excellent insulation, it may pay to rethink the use of an unvented propane heater.......

 

[bobbyjean]

go for it...they work good...caution on what your spraying/working with in there....it is an open flame
great stuff those gaps-get the pro gun off amazon for 15 bucks and gitrdone

 

[yardwork]

Another option is the Mr. Heater Big Buddy. You can get the hose kit that connects it to a 20 or 30lb propane tanks. They also have a low-oxygen shut-off and rated safe for ice-houses, RVs, etc so you're good to go if you do close up the gaps. The sunflower type heaters are not not rated for confined areas due to CO risks.

 

[Bondo]

My question is will this kind of heater work for my application?

Ayuh,.... It'll keep You, or anything in front of it warm,....

It won't heat the air in the room though, as their Radiant heaters,....

 

[oldmxracer]

I do not think it will work for You, sorry !

A kerosene or propane torpedo heater, of the appropriate would get the job done !

A ceiling and some insulation and You will cut the fuel bill !

 

[Elginz]

Heating the shop, No. Turn it on when you start working and off when you are done and it will get things warm enough to be comfy were you are working. It helps that there is not a lot of noise and no breeze, and the longer you work on something the more comfortable you will be. Heat the shop, no. I have a single one and have used it for a few years before I had real insulation and real heat. It was better than nothing for sure.

Burning LP puts out a lot of moisture, so don't use it much once things are tightened up.

 

[ford33]

Tuesday is the first day of spring. Warm weather is right around the corner.

Insulate now and you will enjoy a cooler shop in the summer and a warmer shop next winter. Save some money and then decide if you need heat next winter.

Menards usually puts their garage heaters on clearance this time of year. You may get a good deal on one today if that is what you really want to do.

BTW, your shop looks very organized. The lounge chair in the middle of the room is a clue to what work is going on in there. Is that a white color fridge full of beer on the right of the picture?

 

[Blazinzuk]

So I actually have some very useful information.

A good friend of mine has a 550 sq ft garage workshop. He heats with the 3 burner Mr. Heater you screw to the top of the propane tank. Couple nights a week and most of his Saturdays are spent out there. It heated up to somewhat comfortable, but below about 10 degrees it just wouldn't cut it. So he added a plug in infrared heater.

2 years ago he insulated the shop. Doesn't use the infrared heater at all and he had to switch to a different style of heater, with no thermostat the 3 burner Mr Heater was just too much. Its amazing how much of a difference insulation can make. He did r-19 in the walls and r30 in the trusses.

I realize insulating can be a pain in an already working shop, but its soooooooooooooooo worth it.

He is guessing that it cut his heating costs by 70%