Garage Heating?
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
Garage Heating?
I purchased a home this summer, and now that it is cooling off I'm in search of an economical way to heat the garage. It is attached to the house, finished and insulated. It's about 36'x27' (2 car + half).
I don't think the home heating can keep up with the garage and I don't want to go electical unless it's ultra efficiant (I've got two single car garage doors that are un-insulated and look to not seal great but okay).
My projects in the garage range from engine removal, rebuild and install. Normal misc vehical maintenance (oil changes, gear swaps, wiring, tire rotation, and tinkering). I also plan on doing some home improvement jobs that will keep me working with wood for the weekend or so.
My dad has a ceiling hung natual gas heater that cooks us out of his garages, but it takes a lot of room and came from a big shop so it's overkill for what I need.
Any ideas would be apriciated.
I don't think the home heating can keep up with the garage and I don't want to go electical unless it's ultra efficiant (I've got two single car garage doors that are un-insulated and look to not seal great but okay).
My projects in the garage range from engine removal, rebuild and install. Normal misc vehical maintenance (oil changes, gear swaps, wiring, tire rotation, and tinkering). I also plan on doing some home improvement jobs that will keep me working with wood for the weekend or so.
My dad has a ceiling hung natual gas heater that cooks us out of his garages, but it takes a lot of room and came from a big shop so it's overkill for what I need.
Any ideas would be apriciated.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
You might look around at places like Northern Tool for ventless gas heaters. They mount right on the wall, and don't take up a lot of room. You do want to make sure that you have some fresh air coming in, but most garages aren't all that tight. Carbon monoxide detectors are cheap, and you might as well put one out there as well.
You will have to plumb the gas, which might be a deal breaker, depending on where you have to go. I have propane at my place, and at first I tried using a regular camper cylinder -- pretty much worthless for Minnesota winters. Fortunately, my propane supply runs right alongside the garage, and I had them add a tee and another regulator.
There was a fairly long thread about garage heating a few months back -- probaby worth a search.
hj
You will have to plumb the gas, which might be a deal breaker, depending on where you have to go. I have propane at my place, and at first I tried using a regular camper cylinder -- pretty much worthless for Minnesota winters. Fortunately, my propane supply runs right alongside the garage, and I had them add a tee and another regulator.
There was a fairly long thread about garage heating a few months back -- probaby worth a search.
hj
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 959
Likes: 8
From: Imperial, MO
The first thing to do is insulate those doors and install new seals. That alone will make a noticeable difference. I don't know what to suggest in regards to heating with your situation though. My attached 3-car garage is heated/cooled by the same HVAC as the rest of the house, and I use a large wood furnace to heat my shop in the winter.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
If you are going to install a permanent heater I would shy away from the ventless ones, especially with propane. Propane creates a lot of water vapor when it burns.
I would look into a ceiling hung heater like a small Reznor or something along those lines.
BTW, electric heat is 100% efficient.
I would look into a ceiling hung heater like a small Reznor or something along those lines.
BTW, electric heat is 100% efficient.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
We're hunting for seals and insulation this weekend. Next summer I'm getting new insulated doors installed when they do my roof. While the drive way guys are here next summer their going to bid my garage floors too with heat. Not sure what heating system they do, but they've been doing places around town with no complaints (Heated floors would be a dream come true - next to a lift in my garage).
Thank you all for ideas. This winter might just end up being a ventless to get me by then see what the concrete guys can do this summer.
Thank you all for ideas. This winter might just end up being a ventless to get me by then see what the concrete guys can do this summer.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
You might want to look at a Mini-Split Heat-Pump. There are good units for shops, they can be had with control systems that allow set temps as low as 35 to 40. Plus they often have a remote. So you could have it programed to set to 35 at say 5PM, every day. So even if you are out there, the garage stops heating.
These are not an impossible DIY project. There are many firms that will mail-order them at a reasonable price.
However if you want a warranty, you will need to hire an HVAC tech to run the final test and sign it off (put an ad in Craigs List, there is usually a hungry tech)
This has the advantage of giving you cooling if it gets crazy hot
These are not an impossible DIY project. There are many firms that will mail-order them at a reasonable price.
However if you want a warranty, you will need to hire an HVAC tech to run the final test and sign it off (put an ad in Craigs List, there is usually a hungry tech)
This has the advantage of giving you cooling if it gets crazy hot
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 64
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We're hunting for seals and insulation this weekend. Next summer I'm getting new insulated doors installed when they do my roof. While the drive way guys are here next summer their going to bid my garage floors too with heat. Not sure what heating system they do, but they've been doing places around town with no complaints (Heated floors would be a dream come true - next to a lift in my garage).
Thank you all for ideas. This winter might just end up being a ventless to get me by then see what the concrete guys can do this summer.
Thank you all for ideas. This winter might just end up being a ventless to get me by then see what the concrete guys can do this summer.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 0
From: West Valley Utah
I picked up a ceiling hung Reznor that came out of a warehouse. A heating/AC company was changing the system and sold all the ceiling hung units.
It's really to big for my garage but the $100 for the unit and thermostat, I could not pass up. Takes about 15 minutes in the dead of winter to heat the garage to a comfortable, coatless working level.
These companies regularly throw out almost new evap. coolers also. Just something to keep in mind.
It's really to big for my garage but the $100 for the unit and thermostat, I could not pass up. Takes about 15 minutes in the dead of winter to heat the garage to a comfortable, coatless working level.
These companies regularly throw out almost new evap. coolers also. Just something to keep in mind.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Ogden, Utah
I'm hoping to find a company changing out their heaters too. I've got some roof over my garage I could make an exhaust vent, and the gas lines are just the other side of the other wall I need to heater on.
I'm hoping when the plumbers come out to fix a leak on one of my pipes, he can also plumb a little gas line into my garage for future use.
I've been looking around and so far there are some huge heaters around, but I think it is only a matter of time before a medium size company tossed their heater (my dad uses one that's WAY more than he needs, but it works awesome and quick).
Next year I think I'll go floor heat when they re-do my concrete around my house. I went to the neighbors house and his garage was fantastic. Lay down and sleep warm even (just a little wet form the melted snow off his cars).
I'm hoping when the plumbers come out to fix a leak on one of my pipes, he can also plumb a little gas line into my garage for future use.
I've been looking around and so far there are some huge heaters around, but I think it is only a matter of time before a medium size company tossed their heater (my dad uses one that's WAY more than he needs, but it works awesome and quick).
Next year I think I'll go floor heat when they re-do my concrete around my house. I went to the neighbors house and his garage was fantastic. Lay down and sleep warm even (just a little wet form the melted snow off his cars).
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