Garage Remodel stage 2

SLO-BOB · 11-28-2007, 06:19 AM

Short but sweet - the heater is in-

Just fired it up today. I know you warmer climate folks can't appreciate this the way the rest of us do, but a warm garage is a wonderful thing this time of year. My 911/Honda productivity will go up by leaps and bounds this winter.

So far I've taken 2 pieces of advice on garages from this forum. I drywalled my garage - love it! And I bought the forced air Modine (type) heater - love it! Next up - hydraulic lift!

Thanks for the help!

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

I did that last year, furnace is a Lennox though, but same size at 75,000 BTU. I was shocked that the gas line install was twice the cost of the furnace! Then the damn permit inspector drilled me on the ventilation setup even though the manual said I had done it correctly. What kind of building inspector doesn't understand "powered exhaust."

I have it on an automated thermostat these days, and it comes on about twice a week to keep the garage in the 50's. Dog loves it more than me, and getting into a warm car is kinda nice.

SLO-BOB · 11-28-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott R

I was shocked that the gas line install was twice the cost of the furnace!

I was fortunate because the gas was already right there. On the other side of that chimney is my den and a gas fireplace with a "1/2" hard line running to it. I just added a "T" and some valves, pipe, and flex. The vent was a pita. I'm not a big fan of putting holes in my (brand new) roof. I did the double wall, "3" vent pipe. I didn't get a permit. Hopefully, no inspector issues.

My costs were $389 for the heater and about $100 in vent, plumbing, and electrical parts. It took me about a day to install.

For now I have the T-stat set at 60. Maybe a little warmer than it needs to be, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I'm sure that will all change when my next heating bill shows up.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

I was fortunate because the gas was already right there. On the other side of that chimney is my den and a gas fireplace with a "1/2" hard line running to it. I just added a "T" and some valves, pipe, and flex. The vent was a pita. I'm not a big fan of putting holes in my (brand new) roof. I did the double wall, "3" vent pipe. I didn't get a permit. Hopefully, no inspector issues.

My costs were $389 for the heater and about $100 in vent, plumbing, and electrical parts. It took me about a day to install.

For now I have the T-stat set at 60. Maybe a little warmer than it needs to be, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I'm sure that will all change when my next heating bill shows up.

Lucky bastard, my install was closer to $1200 and I did the vent myself, side-draft though.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Looking good Bob.

I've had my Hot Dawg gas heater for about 6 years now. I love it, and it makes working in the garage on anything much more enjoyable.

I finally took the plunge this year and bought the lift, love that too.

Bill

SLO-BOB · 11-30-2007, 04:59 PM

With the heater in, I was able to get things straightened out a bit. It was really nice working comfortably while organizing things knowing it was only 17 degrees outside. It's not as deluxe as many posted on this forum, but it works well for me and it's a huge step up from the way it used to be.

Before-way too crowded and unorganized. I could never find anything and working on the car was a pain.

After - I toyed with the idea of a tool chest, but I like just grabbing things off the pegboard cabinet - no looking through drawers to find what I need.

In the spring I'll jack-hammer out the floor and add a drain and lift pit. There are a lot of little details that remain, but for now it suits me.

stealthn · 11-30-2007, 08:06 PM

That is my plan as well, your heater looks too close to the roof, is it suppose to be that close? I have a gas line through the garage I can tap (well not me I don't do gas) and I would love to get heater in there.

BlueSideUp · 11-30-2007, 10:37 PM

What happened to all of your crap? The garage looks great but did you get an additional storage unit?

SLO-BOB · 12-01-2007, 05:15 AM

Bob - That heater is rated to be up to 2 inches from the ceiling. If you have the gas line, the only things you need are the vent and electric. Be forewarned - that vent gets very hot. Do install it to code. FYI - I got the heater from Northern Tool (after shopping a LOT), and the vent stuff from Home Depot.

Jess - Yep. Storage unit. Best $50/month I've ever spent. I didn't get it just to streamline my garage, however. After I started my business, I was getting to a point where the stuff simply would not fit in my garage. Now I have parts and tools for the biz, snowblower/garden tractor depending on time of year, furniture, 4 motorcycles, bikes, track tires, car parts, moto parts, you name it - it's in there. That it's a write off is a bonus.

89911 · 12-01-2007, 05:17 AM

I went the radiant floor way since I was building this new. More up front cost, but over the long haul will end up being cheaper. Either way, warm garage-good garage.

SLO-BOB · 12-01-2007, 05:20 AM

It should be noted that the "after" also features a different 911.

SLO-BOB · 12-01-2007, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89911

I went the radiant floor way since I was building this new. More up front cost, but over the long haul will end up being cheaper. Either way, warm garage-good garage.

That is FLIPPIN SWEET!

No question that's the best way to go from scratch. Did you do it or contractor? When I tear up my floor maybe I can go that route. I'll have to check the output on my boiler.

BertBeagle · 12-01-2007, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

Now I guess you are just sitting back and "dreaming" about riding one of those Hondas next spring.

SLO-BOB · 12-01-2007, 06:14 AM

Lol- the reality is, I'm "dreaming" about getting the white one running. Actually, it starts and runs, but shortly after, the main fuse blows. It's driving me crazy trying to find the problem. 6V

At least now I can work on it w/o freezing my tail off.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

Bob - That heater is rated to be up to 2 inches from the ceiling. If you have the gas line, the only things you need are the vent and electric. Be forewarned - that vent gets very hot. Do install it to code. FYI - I got the heater from Northern Tool (after shopping a LOT), and the vent stuff from Home Depot.

Jess - Yep. Storage unit. Best $50/month I've ever spent. I didn't get it just to streamline my garage, however. After I started my business, I was getting to a point where the stuff simply would not fit in my garage. Now I have parts and tools for the biz, snowblower/garden tractor depending on time of year, furniture, 4 motorcycles, bikes, track tires, car parts, moto parts, you name it - it's in there. That it's a write off is a bonus.

You also have to have a power switch with a 40 amp fuse in-line, that's another little thing the damn inspector got me on.

BlueSideUp · 12-01-2007, 10:20 AM

Bob that's a good move. I have the same problem with my single car garage. We recently started a business and storage is at a premium. I'll look into a unit and how much it will cost.

89911 · 12-01-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

That is FLIPPIN SWEET!

No question that's the best way to go from scratch. Did you do it or contractor? When I tear up my floor maybe I can go that route. I'll have to check the output on my boiler.

I was going to do the same thing that you were doing, install a gas line and put a heater in. But since they hadn't poured the floor, the plumber and his crew ran the lines. I'll have him hook it up to an efficient boiler when we are close to finishing. Figure about $3-4000 for everything, at least in these parts. On top of using it for the car, My kids play a lot of soccer. In the winter, we will pull the cars out, cover up the windows, and put up the nets.

SLO-BOB · 12-01-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott R

You also have to have a power switch with a 40 amp fuse in-line, that's another little thing the damn inspector got me on.

That's weird. I have no idea why you would need that and, by trade, I'm an electrician! I'll have to look into that. I did install a disconnect switch on the back, but it's rated at 20 amps like the circuit with no fuse or overload protection. Because the draw is minimal I didn't bother.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

That's weird. I have no idea why you would need that and, by trade, I'm an electrician! I'll have to look into that. I did install a disconnect switch on the back, but it's rated at 20 amps like the circuit with no fuse or overload protection. Because the draw is minimal I didn't bother.

My electrician is my best friend, he had done a few of them, but he was not sure if I needed one. He came back, and in about 5 min's he had a box installed that looks like a light switch with a round glass fuse in it. Passed after that.