Garage Heater

[drcoastline]

I am researching garage heaters. My garage is approximately 22X22x8. I have pretty much decided on a Natural gas heater. I am thinking I need about a 30K Btu minimum. I am looking to stay under $500.00 installed.

So far I have found a

Mr. Heater Infrared nat gas 40K Btu for $444.00 and
Dayton 3E132E 30k Btu with minor damage to the housing for $380.00.

Who else has heat in their garage? Please post all opinions. The hetater will only be used when I am in the garage working. It is not intended to keep the garage warm all the time. The garage is attached to the house two walls and the ceiling are definateltly insulated. One exterior wall may or may not be. My garage doors are older and wood but will be replaced in the spring with new insulated carriage house doors.

Thanks for the replaies.

[VincentVega]

A little over your budget but I'm very happy with the Hot Dawg. Low profile, not too loud, side exhaust.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I got two propane (can be converted to NG easily) ventless heaters - 30,000 BTU each for my shop. They'll keep it 90 degrees in there on a 20 degree day if I want. I think each one was about $250. I bought a few 100# propane tanks, piping, regulator, etc. but if you have LNG available you can probably pipe it and call the gas guy to make the final connection for reasonably cheap.

[GH85Carrera]

I have a heater in my garage. I looked at all the options and all of the units with combustion really need ventilation. Since it is a garage and I sometimes work on the fuel system I just could not bring myself to use a flame to heat my garage. I went with a 220 electric forced air unit. I can set the dial to a position and it heats up the garage quickly. I work in a t-shirt and jeans and I am totally comfortable.

I have been out there working in my garage while a blizzard was blowing outside.

I do have insulated garage doors, the garage walls are insulated, the ceiling is insulated and it is an attached garage. The heater never runs for more than a few minutes. I really love my heater. I love my air conditioner even more

[cairns]

Got me one of these a few years ago- after doing a lot of research:

Amazon.com: Mr. Heater Big Maxx 75,000 BTU Natural Gas Garage Unit Heater #MHU75NG: Home & Garden

That's $494 for 75,000 btus- a most excellent price. I paid a bit over $500 when I bought it. And you can never have enough BTUs.

I couldn't be happier- my garage can go from 35 to 70 in about ten minutes (a bit bigger than yours with high ceilings). And the gas costs one heck of a lot less than electricity. You can install it yourself- biggest PITA is cutting the hole for the flue, the rest is easy.

The only thing I would recommend is throw away the thermostat that comes with it and get one from the Hardware store.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I got two propane (can be converted to NG easily) ventless heaters - 30,000 BTU each for my shop. They'll keep it 90 degrees in there on a 20 degree day if I want. I think each one was about $250. I bought a few 100# propane tanks, piping, regulator, etc. but if you have LNG available you can probably pipe it and call the gas guy to make the final connection for reasonably cheap.

POP which units do you have?

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I have a heater in my garage. I looked at all the options and all of the units with combustion really need ventilation. Since it is a garage and I sometimes work on the fuel system I just could not bring myself to use a flame to heat my garage. I went with a 220 electric forced air unit. I can set the dial to a position and it heats up the garage quickly. I work in a t-shirt and jeans and I am totally comfortable.

I have been out there working in my garage while a blizzard was blowing outside.

I do have insulated garage doors, the garage walls are insulated, the ceiling is insulated and it is an attached garage. The heater never runs for more than a few minutes. I really love my heater. I love my air conditioner even more

I thought about electric but I think it will cost to much to run.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by cairns

Got me one of these a few years ago- after doing a lot of research:

Amazon.com: Mr. Heater Big Maxx 75,000 BTU Natural Gas Garage Unit Heater #MHU75NG: Home & Garden

That's $494 for 75,000 btus- a most excellent price. I paid a bit over $500 when I bought it. And you can never have enough BTUs.

I couldn't be happier- my garage can go from 35 to 70 in about ten minutes (a bit bigger than yours with high ceilings). And the gas costs one heck of a lot less than electricity. You can install it yourself- biggest PITA is cutting the hole for the flue, the rest is easy.

The only thing I would recommend is throw away the thermostat that comes with it and get one from the Hardware store.

Cairns I think that unit is to big size wise for my application. Thats why I am looking at the other two. The Mr. Heater in my OP is very low profile.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I forget the mfr. offhand but I can check when I get home - they were just simple wall-or-floor mount ventless heaters from Home Despot, but they work very well.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I forget the mfr. offhand but I can check when I get home - they were just simple wall-or-floor mount ventless heaters from Home Despot, but they work very well.

I wonder if any LP heater can be converted to run NG? There were several LP units that would fit my application but i didnt see and NG units of the same kind.

[red911sc]

A friend gave me a 30K BTU vent free propane heater similar to this http://www.tractorsupply.com/procom-reg-dual-fuel-vent-free-blue-flame-heater-30-000-btu-4501498. I converted it to natural gas and made brackets to hang it on the wall. It works alright but the fan does not kick on (I need to investigate) therefore the areas furthest from the heater do not get warm. Worst case I can put a box fan out there to circulate the air. My garage is a little larger than yours. Check craigslist, I have seen some really good heaters there.

[cstreit]

Forced air gas will be the best: (like the hot dawg)

I have a waste-oil furnace in my garage because:

1. Heat is Free
2. It's detached so no lines to run
3. I typically stay in for quite a while
4. I don't mind te cleaning maintenance after 5 uses.
5. Heat is free
6. See #1

I use about 50-60 gallons of waste oil over the course of a winter working on personal stuff. It heats my 1000 sq. ft. garage to 75 degrees in an hour no matter how cold outside. I figure it saves me about $800 in heating over the winter annually. I have a small electric heater to keep it above freezing all the time. BTW this furhace usd to be RED and marketed as all waste oil. During the green craze they colored it and market as a bio heater, but motor-oil, trans oil,. veg oil all work.

Here is the one I have: Thermobile BioEnergy Rape Seed Oil Heaters

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

I wonder if any LP heater can be converted to run NG? There were several LP units that would fit my application but i didnt see and NG units of the same kind.

Typically yes - most units I've seen have a selector. All it does is vary the aperture size that the fuel passed through slightly. As a general rule if it'll burn one, it'll burn the other with only a slight metering adjustment to get proper combustion.

[kolies]

I have been looking into heaters over the last couple of years, but have not jumped in yet. One that I found on ebay that seemed like a pretty good price was manufactured by Dornback Mfg. They are supposed to be made in the US in OH. Price seems pretty competitive:

GARAGE FURNACE GAS UNIT HEATER 45,000 BTU HEATERS NEW | eBay

Dornback Manufacturing

I've been holding off because I need to run a gas line to a detached garage. When I do buy one, I'll be getting one of these.

[Rapewta]

I have the same size garage. What I do is plug in a 1500 watt portable rotating heater that works just fine. No forced air, just goes back and forth about 180 degrees and my band plays in the garage without *****ing.

If I am working on the cars... I put it close to the work area.
We don't have gas on my street so I do what I can with the AC power.

The oil filled radiator heaters don't do squat.

[Oracle]

I have a Reznor UDAP 60 and I love it. I can be there in shorts and outside the temp is -35. Very-very efficient. I didn't notice anything in the gas bill after I got it installed.
Of course it helps that I made sure the garage is properly insulated (all doors+walls+attic)

[drcoastline]

Thanks for all the input.

I haver a propane tank set up already. It works ok. But I am looking for something more permanant. I am scared to death of knocking it over.

I have looked into an electric version of the one Oracle posted but I am concenred about an excessive electric bill. The propane versions are considerably cheaper so I am going to look into a NG conversion kit.

I also don't have access to a lot of waste oil so that option is out.

Has anyone used or been around around a natural gas infrared heater like either of these? They have a pretty low profile design and don't appear to need outside venting? both are 40k Btu and are about $400.00.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Oracle

I have a Reznor UDAP 60 and I love it. I can be there in shorts and outside the temp is -35. Very-very efficient. I didn't notice anything in the gas bill after I got it installed.
Of course it helps that I made sure the garage is properly insulated (all doors+walls+attic)

Why is that A/C D/C poster in the garage and not displayed prominently over your fireplace mantel?

I have a low profile Reznor in my garage as well. I find it a bit noisy when running. It has to run combustion and the forced air fan motor. Mine is a little older than the one in the photo and it has been a great heater.

40,000 btu input for a 24x24 garage. Keep it just above freezing and will bounce the air temp up in short order.

[creaturecat]

gas heat without outside venting is a recipe for disaster.

[notfarnow]

I have a propane forced air furnace from a trailer home... paid $100 bucks. It's loud, but in 10 minutes it'll heat my 24x30 garage to 25*C when it's -25*c outside.

If we keep our house, I'm going to add a 3rd bay with in-floor heat. I only have time to work on cars in the winter, and I want warm feet