woodburning heat?

[jokidd82]

So I have a regular attached 2 car garage. its pretty large for a 2 car but its still attached. If I were to vent it to the roof with a flue (however that's spelled) and do all the exhaust correctly its not really allowed to use a small wood burning stove inside a attached garage due to the possibility of fire correct.

I have easy access to pallets and just scraps of wood from stuff I make and this would be a perfect solution for me. I have a kerosene heater I run but would much rather burn free stuff obviously. I also have no gas at my house, only electric and worse I go through a 2nd party electric company so I know if I fire up an electric heat the meter will spin like a 2stroke engine.

Excuse the stupidity but what do you guys use for alternative heating solutions in the Midwest.

 

[toyotadriver]

Why not get a couple 100lb propane bottles and install a vented propane heater?

 

[jokidd82]

I like wood honestly. I've never ran propane but I can't imagine its that cheap. hell a 25lb cylinder is what like 30 bucks. How long would a 25lb cylinder run anyway as far as hours. I get about a month out of a 5 gallon tank of kerosene. I don't stay out there everyday. Mostly just weekends or maybe a few hours after work.

I'm open to propane, just don't want a big tank on the side of the house and then hours and work to install something that large.

 

[anuccite]

In New York, we heated our house with 50% wood, 50% pellets....

I will be taking my pellet stove to NC with me, when we fully move after the winter (I know, I should already be there).

I will be using the Pellet stove for heat in my detached garage.

That being said..... a wood stove would be your best / safest bet for heating your garage if you have the wood to burn, Just remember to burn clean wood, or it will stick up your chimney. as far as if it is legal or not... I guess thats up to your building inspector.... but if you have the correct combustible offsets, i dont see an issue.

 

[NUTTSGT]

First of all, is this garage insulated ? If not, get that done first, you'll see the biggest difference. Before you buy the stove or any associated stuff, check with your insurance company.

 

[Jackfre]

Wood is nice heat, but I have been in so many places over the years where you look at the space and say, "Wow, plenty of room for a wood stove." The stove gets put in and you end up doing a doe-see-doe with it every time you try to do anything in the space. Get some cardboard and mock up the install and you will see what I mean. They heat the space but they eat the space too.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I would rather have wood heat then gas, Gas puts off too much moisture.

 

[Jackfre]

I would rather have wood heat then gas, Gas puts off too much moisture.

That would only be in an exposed flame unvented appliance, like a vent free heater. In a vented sealed combustion heat exchanger the saturated air is vented to the outside.

 

[vekster]

i put a wood stove in my garage 3 years ago.
large single attached garage.
insurance was fine with it as long as the hearth is 18" above floor.
i built a stand out of 2"x2" angle steel to raise it up.
i am sure my wife hates it as i have fallen asleep in there some nites because it gets so warm and cozy after a few beers

 

[lakeroadster]

I spent most of my years back in Ohio.

Dad had a fuel oil heater in his garage... that worked great.

He had a wood burning pot bellied stove in his wood shop... that worked great.

I've always used electric heat in my shops, that works great too.

All depends on what fuel source you have access too. If you don't have access to economical wood to burn, I wouldn't use a wood stove.

If you do have access to wood... buy a newer stove, one sized for the garage you have. Most folks think when it comes to wood stoves that bigger is better... wrong.

We just bought a Pacific Energy Summit stove for our home. It can be placed 10" from the wall, thus it doesn't take up much space.

 

[theoldwizard1]

So I have a regular attached 2 car garage. its pretty large for a 2 car but its still attached. If I were to vent it to the roof with a flue (however that's spelled) and do all the exhaust correctly its not really allowed to use a small wood burning stove inside a attached garage due to the possibility of fire correct.

Insurance or local codes ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I would rather have wood heat then gas, Gas puts off too much moisture.

That is only true on NON-VENTED gas heat. Propane is worse than natural gas.

Vented gas heat send the moisture out the vent/chimney.

 

[Ironhorse74]

FWIW

As per the enclosed snippet,*@#$NFPA*@#$211 states:

Location of Appliances.12.2.4 Solid fuel burning appliances shall not be installed in any garage.Additionally, 12.2.3 forbids installation anywhere gasoline or other flammable vapors may be present.

Note: There has been some discussion as to the meaning of the term "garage". There is little doubt that this refers to an attached garage which has large door opening, and therefore CAN be used for storing automobiles. However, some inspectors and experts have allowed "ignition source" appliances in detached garages (shop, by their definition). Still, if such "shops" are used for wood working, car repair, etc. then BOTH 12.2.3 and common sense would dictate that any source of ignition not be present, especially close to the floor, where vapors tend to build up.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

If you do have access to wood... buy a newer stove, one sized for the garage you have. Most folks think when it comes to wood stoves that bigger is better... wrong.

This is very important for a wood stove. The one I use in my garage is really too big for the space, especially with the garage well insulated. If it's above 30 degrees outside it's hard to keep it below 75 degrees without opening the door or some windows. I usually burn my kerosene heater if it's above 30 and the wood stove when it's colder or if I'll be opening the big door a lot.

The kerosene is great but puts some extra moisture in the air, and the wood pulls too much moisture out of the air.

I'd love to have natural gas in the garage, but I have no interest in trenching and running a gas line out there (detached garage, 60' run).

 

[J king]

I had a wood furnace in the garage for years. It heated it nicely . I installed an outdoor wood boiler and quit using it . Insurance co dropped by for a walk thru and told me to get it out or they would cancel my policy. I sold it but want you to be sure your covered if your wood stove burns your place. You need to know. I wasn't aware.
Ps.love my outdoor wood burner. Toasty house and garage and shop all with one fire

 

[30cal]

I've heated with wood for over thirty years. Illinois, no christmas trees, real wood. Oak, Hickory, stuff like that.

my current house is 75 degrees on a 30 degree day, without much help from my agent..

My insurance agent took a walk-thru, looked at the stove, said get it out of here. I said no. You go before the stove does. He argued, I didn't. He backed down when he realized I wasn't going to. I met him half-way at an extra 35 dollars a year...

Does anyone here even remember what it's like to have no dial on the wall?

 

[Jazz1]

Why not get a couple 100lb propane bottles and install a vented propane heater?

Yep,,thats the voice of reason. 2 bottles may last the winter since wood is not a alternative. Small gas furnace won't break your bank or start a go fund me..I have wood in my garage and it is approved by insurance company although gas is available,,

 

[jokidd82]

FWIW

As per the enclosed snippet,*@#$NFPA*@#$211 states:

Location of Appliances.12.2.4 Solid fuel burning appliances shall not be installed in any garage.Additionally, 12.2.3 forbids installation anywhere gasoline or other flammable vapors may be present.

Note: There has been some discussion as to the meaning of the term "garage". There is little doubt that this refers to an attached garage which has large door opening, and therefore CAN be used for storing automobiles. However, some inspectors and experts have allowed "ignition source" appliances in detached garages (shop, by their definition). Still, if such "shops" are used for wood working, car repair, etc. then BOTH 12.2.3 and common sense would dictate that any source of ignition not be present, especially close to the floor, where vapors tend to build up.

Thank you. I've never seen my agent drop by let alone hear from him once a year when he tries to get me to buy other policies. I also have a neighborhood HOA but people have cars sitting in their yards in some spot and to be honest I think the 60 a year is just to keep them from doing anything.

I'm kind of rethinking the wood burner. I forgot they have to be away from the wall and I try to use every inch of that garage. Maybe i'll go with propane and just store the tanks in a shed next to the wall or something. I've never used propane to heat, I hear that after running it for a while the lines get very cold and it doesn't work nearly as well or something. Maybe it was also when its very cold, as in 30 degrees, they don't work well. I can't remember.

So maybe a propane salamander would be a smarter option?

 

[Ironhorse74]

So maybe a propane salamander would be a smarter option?

Theoldwizard was right on target when he said unvented gas puts moisture in the air. There are some pretty good direct vent bliueflame heaters available. Same goes for reznor style hanging vented furnaces. Put a 100 gallon tank behind the garage to run it.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I'm kind of rethinking the wood burner. I forgot they have to be away from the wall and I try to use every inch of that garage.

You can buy or make a heat shield to reduce clearances, but they still take up a chunk of floor space no matter what.

 

[anuccite]

Thank you. I've never seen my agent drop by let alone hear from him once a year when he tries to get me to buy other policies. I also have a neighborhood HOA but people have cars sitting in their yards in some spot and to be honest I think the 60 a year is just to keep them from doing anything.

I'm kind of rethinking the wood burner. I forgot they have to be away from the wall and I try to use every inch of that garage. Maybe i'll go with propane and just store the tanks in a shed next to the wall or something. I've never used propane to heat, I hear that after running it for a while the lines get very cold and it doesn't work nearly as well or something. Maybe it was also when its very cold, as in 30 degrees, they don't work well. I can't remember.

So maybe a propane salamander would be a smarter option?

As far as clearences..... The Last stove I bought.. I think it was a LOPI, My clearances were only like 6", I didn't trust that, and held it 12" away.....

They have come a long way in that reguard...

 

[Jazz1]

If you go with wood get it added to your insurance policy. Don't assume you are covered. We have to have our stove and chimney inspected before insurance co. coverage is added. I had read US fire code does not allow burning of solids in garages.

 

[bob15]

If you decide to go gas, look into this company, which makes US made heaters (vent, vent-free and power vent heaters among others: http://empirezoneheat.com/about-us/


As for clearances to the walls and ceiling, that all depends on the stove (wood/pellet or gas), its size and the manufacturer. Sometimes they have heat shields that will allow you to get a little closer and they if you buy a heat pad for the wall and leave an air gap, you can get the stove closer. Wood stoves will take time to get a room warm, let alone a garage that is or isn't insulated.

What type of flammables are stored in the garage? Fumes/vapors and an open flame (wood/pellet/coal stove or a even a blue flame heater) don't mix well, if it is too confined.

Local laws and your insurance are the first hurdle you must pass.

If you went gas....a 120 gallon tank would be the cheapest way to go....unless you could find a 500 gallon tank cheap.

 

[bob15]

And if you put in a stove of any kind, have it inspected and approved by the town/city which will cover you in case of a fire.....that is as long as your insurance company also approves of the heating upgrade.

 

[bczygan]

Was going to comment that there is no reason not to use a wood burner, as long as you keep cars out, but realized insurance might be a problem, if you have it.

Then I remembered that I burned down a garage by leaving an oil burner unattended.

Bill

 

[jokidd82]

well after reading various posts I think i'll go with a propane salamander.

Personally I don't care about moisture in the air. There's nitro methane out there, gas, 2 stroke gas........pretty much everything but its all sealed. I also have stated I have no desire to have a large tank outside the house. I don't plan on staying here after a few more years so I'm not really going to spend a ton to do this. Plus I'm not out there enough to justify more than a spot heater. Once its up to 60 I usually through on a jacket and beanie and call it a day.

Maybe the next house I get if I can get an unattached garage i'll do wood burning. I appreciate the ideas. Thanks guys.

 

[gungatim]

Here's my experience FWIW.

I started with wood heat in the shop, first a barrel stove, then a franklin stove, then a real wood stove, then an outside wood burner.

I prefer wood heat, but it takes too long to get up to temp if you just want to be out for a couple hours after work. the outside burner was even worse, only efficient if you kept it going all weekend.

cutting and splitting is a pain, but I burned anything, trash, scraps, whatever.

Still have the burner and stove but only use it occasionally (mainly pallets and limbs). propane heater is so much nicer to just light the pilot and set the t-stat. then turn it off and go in without worrying about leaving an unattended fire. nearly instant heat.

I also burn kerosene when it's not too cold to save on propane, but when it's below 40 the propane is king.

and I just use a 100 lb tank, with 3-30 lbs and 5-20 lbs I picked up here and there for backup when the big one needs to be filled.

 

[bob15]

Make sure when running the heater that you keep a garage door cracked to allow fresh air inside.

I have a co-worker who used one with the garage door closed and the heater continuing to turn on and off while he worked on his car. He eventually started feeling sick and nauseated and finally realized he was becoming oxygen deprived due to carbon monoxide. Much longer and he probably would have died.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I prefer wood heat, but it takes too long to get up to temp if you just want to be out for a couple hours after work. the outside burner was even worse, only efficient if you kept it going all weekend.

This has been my biggest problem with burning wood. When it's above 30 outside I can get the garage to 60 degrees in an hour or so. Tonight it was 15-20 here and took an hour and a half to get from 36 to 62. It's at 73 in there right now. It's fine on the weekend but too much trouble during the week. If I really need to be out there during the week I'll run my kerosene heater overnight and it'll be at least 50-55 in there during the day so I can get stuff done before work.