Garage Heater
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
Garage Heater
I have a large garage (31' X 35' or 1116 sf) and I'm looking to buy a nice garage heater so when I wash/detail my cars in the winter, I don't freeze my a$$ off. Does anyone have any recommendations for units that they've purchased and are happy with? Please let me know the vendor and model number you've purchased.
I also want to buy a heater that is appropriate for the size garage have. That is I don't want to buy a heater that heats up to 5000 sf when mine is only 1116 sf.
I appreciate your help.
I also want to buy a heater that is appropriate for the size garage have. That is I don't want to buy a heater that heats up to 5000 sf when mine is only 1116 sf.
I appreciate your help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,672
Likes: 40
From: Prescott Arizona
There is more to it than just the square footage of the garage. Is it insulated and sheet rocked? As the member above stated, what is the height of the ceiling?
All of those factors will influence the size of heater you will need.
This is what I have in my garage, but my garage is only 450 square feet. I use a small electric fan above the unit to distribute the heat and it's way underworked.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
All of those factors will influence the size of heater you will need.
This is what I have in my garage, but my garage is only 450 square feet. I use a small electric fan above the unit to distribute the heat and it's way underworked.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 9
There is more to it than just the square footage of the garage. Is it insulated and sheet rocked? As the member above stated, what is the height of the ceiling?
All of those factors will influence the size of heater you will need.
This is what I have in my garage, but my garage is only 450 square feet. I use a small electric fan above the unit to distribute the heat and it's way underworked.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
All of those factors will influence the size of heater you will need.
This is what I have in my garage, but my garage is only 450 square feet. I use a small electric fan above the unit to distribute the heat and it's way underworked.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
My garage isn't that large but I'm using a GE Zoneline to heat mine. Only set for 65 degrees and its costs a lot more than $500. Its similar to a hotel room HVAC which this does have both heating and cooling.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 891
Likes: 165
From: Oswego IL
I have the Hot Dawg by Modine 75,000 BTU garage furnace. It is a very efficient unit and will heat up the garage in no time. If you have access above the garage you will definitely want to put some insulation up there to avoid all of the heat escaping and the furnace running all of the time. I put R30 insulation bats on the entire attic floor and now once the furnace kicks in and brings the garage to temperature it really maintains that temperature for long time.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Cuyahoga Falls OH
To get an idea just go to www.grainger.com. Your options are going to be very limited in order to stay within that budget.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 3
From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
My garage is the same size as yours, insulated and drywalled. I just use a propane stye heater that runs off of a 20 lb propane tank. I got it at Menards for about $50 and it will heat my garage to about 65 degrees in about 10 minutes. Then I crank the flame way down and it maintains the temp without using much propane. I can get 5-6 sessions of 2-3 hours out of each tank. The tanks are swapped out at WalMart or almost any gas station for 15 -20 bucks depending on where you live. Once warmed up, I can work in my shirtsleeves in the garage. It's a cheap and easy way to heat your garage. 
Zuti
Zuti
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
I use a 240V 20 Amp electric heater I bought from Northern Tool for about $100.
It has a rheostat to adjust temperature level. I keep my 3 bay garage at 50 degrees all winter and crank it up to about 70 when I want to work in the garage.
It has a rheostat to adjust temperature level. I keep my 3 bay garage at 50 degrees all winter and crank it up to about 70 when I want to work in the garage.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Unless you plan to do the installation yourself, just ask the licensed HVAC contractor what size to use.
My 33x55x12' insulated attached shop has a 125,000btu MODINE gas fired furnace. I'm in northern AZ where it frequently gets to 20 degrees (or less) in the winter months. Lots of snow.
I keep it at 50 degrees until I plan to work in the shop. Then turn it up to 65-70 degrees and I can work in a t-shirt within twenty minutes.
My 33x55x12' insulated attached shop has a 125,000btu MODINE gas fired furnace. I'm in northern AZ where it frequently gets to 20 degrees (or less) in the winter months. Lots of snow.
I keep it at 50 degrees until I plan to work in the shop. Then turn it up to 65-70 degrees and I can work in a t-shirt within twenty minutes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Unless you plan to do the installation yourself, just ask the licensed HVAC contractor what size to use.
My 33x55x12' insulated attached shop has a 125,000btu MODINE gas fired furnace. I'm in northern AZ where it frequently gets to 20 degrees (or less) in the winter months. Lots of snow.
I keep it at 50 degrees until I plan to work in the shop. Then turn it up to 65-70 degrees and I can work in a t-shirt within twenty minutes.
My 33x55x12' insulated attached shop has a 125,000btu MODINE gas fired furnace. I'm in northern AZ where it frequently gets to 20 degrees (or less) in the winter months. Lots of snow.
I keep it at 50 degrees until I plan to work in the shop. Then turn it up to 65-70 degrees and I can work in a t-shirt within twenty minutes.
Robert
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 593
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio Texas
Just a word of caution that perhaps sounds silly but............. a friend of mine had a kerosene heater when they first came out and he had it in his garage while working on his carburated Porshe. He had the carb off the car and walked over to his bench with the carb in his hand and while waltzing by the Kerosene heater he turned the carb over to look at it in the light. You guessed it. Gasoline dripped out and caught fire and burned his arm dramatically. He died the next day of a blood clot. I only tell this story because every time I hear about heaters in garages it reminds me of this tragic event. He was a very smart person and brilliant engineer. He just didn't THINK because he was preoccupied with what he was doing. Be safe everyone!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 500
From: West Seneca NY
Radiant or Infared heaters are the most efficient and economical, do your reasearch online for the benfits of radiant/infared against forced air systems or electric. I have had a Mr Heater gas Infared garage heater since 1996 in my garage with no complaints as far as install, ease of use and low cost, uses a millivolt thermostat, no electric needed only run a line for gas or propane. Radiant may also be the best choice if no insulation is installed because it heats the objects in the area not the air, less heat loss.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 3
From: Northeast NE
1000 square feet here and we have the heater you see below. Well insulated and it keeps it warm all winter long. Father-in-law has two each heating about 1000 sq ft as well. Had mine for 10 years and works awesome, does not have to run very much to keep it warm. I Keep it at 55 and turn it up when I'm out there and it heats it up fast.
Love it. Menards has something similar for under $200 but it does not have a thermostat, just an on/off switch.
No need for a big furnace, just throw this thing up and you are good to go.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_595_595
Love it. Menards has something similar for under $200 but it does not have a thermostat, just an on/off switch.
No need for a big furnace, just throw this thing up and you are good to go.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_595_595
