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Author
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Topic: Heating a Garage
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Gary DelVecchio
Gearhead Posts: 172
From: Plano, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-18-2000 12:13 PM
   
What might be the best way to occasionally heat a 2 car garage? Only considerations are space and safety. I kind of like the propane idea where the heater mounts to the tank for space reasons, but that heating element looks dangerous and appears the unit is easily tipped over. The kerosene "Reddy" or "Turbo" heaters look like more of the ticket as they are closer to the floor and seem to me wouldn't require as much clearance around it, and don't have that exposed element. Are there any concerns with either of these in a closed space? Thanks in advance for your comments.------------------
1965 Convertible - 289 2V
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rellik74
Gearhead Posts: 126
From: Trinidad , Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 11-18-2000 06:49 PM
Ok any portable unit is Dangerous especially on the floor as gasoline fumes are at floor level. I use a Propaine unit that screws on to the bottle and I set it on the work bench when working on the car and when working on the bench I out it on the floor. Make sure you have plenty of fresh air as they burn alot of it. You can allways keep your eye out for a wood or coal stove for jobs that will take longer to compleat.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-19-2000 07:46 PM
Kerosene heaters aren't any good. I had one for several years and it stank. You need lots of ventilation.I use a couple electric heaters now. They aren't too expensive, and work well. ------------------
SteveLaRiviere/Webmaster -- MCA # 47773 Have rice for dinner, not transportation!
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Capri
Gearhead Posts: 1226
From: Lyons, ILL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-19-2000 09:19 PM
We have both, a small space type heater with a fan purchased from Target for like $50. and a large torpeo type kerosene heater. I can leave the garage door open as long as the wind is not bad and heat the area Im working in up decently. If Its Too damn cold out there, Ill use the small heater to heat up my small work area. It seems to do the job for me.Tony
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jimb
Gearhead Posts: 136
From: s. holland, il usa
Registered: Nov 99
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posted 11-19-2000 10:02 PM
I have a 35,000 btu kerosene torpedo heater. I use it with the doors closed with no problems. Most the of the time I run it fo 30-45 minutes before I start working and then use it occasionally to keep it comfortable. The main thing is to have the garage insulated. My garage is attached to the house so two walls are already warm. The door is also insulated and the ceiling has 8-9 inches of fiberglass insulation. Last nite the temps got down to upper 20's. The garage never droped lower then 40 deg.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-20-2000 03:02 PM
Yikes! Carbon Monoxide kills, Jim!  Be careful!I used to run a 50,000 btu kerosene rocket in a drafty garage, and my lungs used to get heavy at the end of the day. ------------------
SteveLaRiviere/Webmaster -- MCA # 47773 Have rice for dinner, not transportation! [This message has been edited by SteveLaRiviere (edited 11-20-2000).]
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-20-2000 03:14 PM
I have two heaters. One is a 220v 'Powerhouse' heater, and the other is a 120v 'Marvin' quartz heater that I keep next to me. I keep them both on thermostat, and I can keep the garage at 70-75 easily. {24x34, insulated and sheetrocked on 4 walls and ceiling.} Very comfy!  ------------------
SteveLaRiviere/Webmaster -- MCA # 47773 Have rice for dinner, not transportation!
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Gary DelVecchio
Gearhead Posts: 172
From: Plano, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-20-2000 04:24 PM
Steve: What is a powerhouse heater? Sounds expensive.....------------------
1965 Convertible - 289 2V
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brockjoe
Gearhead Posts: 961
From: Sioux City, Iowa
Registered: Oct 99
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posted 11-20-2000 04:54 PM
i have a 35000-45000-55000 btu (adjustable) torpedo type propane heater drafty 2 car works great i have 2 100lb tanks (got for free) and that lasts all year (last year) before that i used a grill tank. that worked just as good i just had to fill the tank more often. no fumes, heats up quick and only the coldest days i wouldn't keep up( -30 with wind) i would recomend these to anyone.------------------
Joe
71 Coupe
302 w/2x4
Boycott NASCAR
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-20-2000 05:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gary DelVecchio:
Steve: What is a powerhouse heater? Sounds expensive.....
Just a brand name. I bought it at Sears about 8 years ago. Last month I heated the garage 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, for about $20 extra on the electricity bill. This month will probably be twice that, I'm using the heater more these days. ------------------
SteveLaRiviere/Webmaster -- MCA # 47773 Have rice for dinner, not transportation!
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-20-2000 05:24 PM
I'm surprised you even need heat in Plano, Texas.------------------
SteveLaRiviere/Webmaster -- MCA # 47773 Have rice for dinner, not transportation!
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77 Cobra
Journeyman Posts: 34
From: Bladen,Nebraska
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 12-25-2002 07:07 AM
WOOD,my man use wood.I built a double barrel wood stove using 55 gallon barrels for about 20.00.I cut a hole in each end of the top barrel and welded in a 8 inch pipe,welded a stand on the back for a fan to set on and blow air thru the pipe.My shop is 24 by 36 and it can get COLD in Nebraska.It can be 10 degrees in the shop and I fire up the stove and 1/2 hour later it is 60 in the shop.
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stang106
Gearhead Posts: 747
From: God's Country!... Port Alberni B.C. Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 12-25-2002 10:51 AM
I use a 110,000 btu narrow oil furnace, it sits in the corner and is out of the way. I got it for free whe a guy was changing to natural gas. The fan wil circulate the shop's air so I don't need ducts. The furnace is made by Chysler! The thermostat works great, and the shop heats up very quickly.
Dave
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70boss302
Gearhead Posts: 220
From: Jeffersonville, NY USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-25-2002 02:00 PM
Becareful using anything with an open flame anywhere near a garage that will contain cars, lawnmowers, gas cans, etc. The risk of an explosion is all too real. I would consider either a ceiling mounted hot water furnace or electric. Initially electric will be much cheaper to install, but it does have much higher operating cost. For part time duty like yours, electric makes a lot of sense. Decide wisely and live. Bill
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 1678
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 12-25-2002 04:37 PM
To occasionally heat a 2-car garage...Kerosene bullet heaters generally generate more fumes than most people like to breathe. Unless the garage is REALLY drafty, (more like a barn) I'd stay away from them. If there is plenty of ventilation they are great. They produce tons of heat, run a long time on fuel, and are relatively cheap to run. Bullet heaters that run on propane are more expensive to run, but burn MUCH cleaner without all the fumes. Summit has some for sale on their website. They also offer overhead radiant propane or natural gas heaters that would work well. The natural gas units would be MUCH less expensive to run, and be less of a hassle if you've got gas in your area. Here's a picture of a propane bullet heater.  http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=33793 Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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Red65
Journeyman Posts: 89
From: Northglenn, CO, USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 12-26-2002 11:37 AM
The kerosene torpedo heaters are smelly and relatively noisy. Probably not the best ticket if you have an attached garage.The propane heaters are not as noisy and they don't smell bad. They don't put out the heat like the torpedo heaters do.
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punk6
Journeyman Posts: 24
From: Green Bay, WI
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-30-2002 07:16 PM
I have one of those propane torpedo heaters (variable, 35,000 to 45,000 btu). My garage is roughly 1,000 square feet, and the heater will warm it up in no time. I usually crack the garage door about an inch when the heater is on. The heater stays on the low setting move of the time, and after 30 minutes or so, I shut it down. My only complaint is the blower noise. I remember the old days on my back in a cold garage floor working on one of my heaps. Poor light, junk tools, a real joy. Ya gotta love it. Tom
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ekbeanctr
Gearhead Posts: 440
From: Middlebury, IN USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 12-31-2002 11:08 PM
Gary, If your close to a Manufactured Home Plant or Salvage place, ask for a downflow mfg home furnace - natural gas or propane. The firebox gets it's air from the chimney, get the chimney from the same place, It's double walled. That way you don't have to worry about fumes and an unexpected fire. I put one in my pole barn, 30 x 40 uninsulated in Northen Indiana. It woeks great and they aren't that expensive. Especially if you get one that's dented. NO fumes - clean heat.------------------
Have a Wonderful Day
CandyApple 65 Fastback
351W, 4 Speed
Versaille 9" Rear End
Global West Front End
[email protected]
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68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 1199
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 01-03-2003 12:49 PM
Those quartz heater I hear work pretty good!
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 01-03-2003 01:10 PM
I can't stress how much I like my electric heaters. Set a thermostat and forget it. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Remember our sponsors, Mustangs Plus, NPD, Osborn Reproductions, and MyFordPerformance.com.
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NoBS
Journeyman Posts: 34
From:
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 01-04-2003 10:14 PM
I've been lurking for a while, .... One thing I haven't seen addressed is what happens to fumes when they get ran over heat or through a flame. Gasoline and flamables are obvious hazards, things like fiber glass resin going through a flame, I don't know what it turns into but I can say, from personal experience, it's nothing good. Another thing I havent seen addressed is the moisture created by heaters burning hydrcarbons. K1 hearter put a bunch into the air, Propane heaters are worse. Sort of disturbing when you find condensation on your tools. And other things. I would love to have a wood burner, but those just can't be shut off.
I went with a used oil burner (can't wait to get it installed  ). The fuels relativly safe. Anything that gets run through the flame is exhausted. As is any moisture. Because it has a blower combustion air can be piped in from the outside reducing explosion hazards (and not burning warm air).
And it can be shut down with the flip of a breaker or switch.
But really, you have to be careful with what kinds of fumes are allowed to run through a space heater. Not to mention what's been mentioned, CO.
And the moisture put out by propane heaters is phenomonal. I would have to Cosmoline half my shop. Later/
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 13090
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 01-10-2003 06:18 PM
Welcome to MM you make some good points.
I insulated my garage this fall.Thats the best $300 I've ever spent.But for one time my garage has yet to go below 50 without a heater.Even when it's 20 outside,the other night it was 22 outside and 52 in the garage.
I like Steve's idea of alittle eletric heater the best.
Steve which one do you use?
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 01-10-2003 06:50 PM
I have a 220v one I got at Sears about 10 years ago. The name is Powerhouse. It has a thermostat and you just set it and forget it. It has a strong fan, so you don't stand in front of it. I place it at the front center of the garage. It cost me $230 when I bought it. Next to my bench I also have a $30 quartz heater and that keeps the bench area as warm as I want it. They work great independantly or if I run them both I can get the garage a bit warmer than you'd want it. My garage is insulated walls and ceiling, and I have Anderson windows so it holds the heat well. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
Mustangs Plus, NPD, Osborn Reproductions, MyFordPerformance.com, and FordRamAir.com
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64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-13-2003 10:25 AM
Put in a Heat pump window unit. That way you have heat in the winter and air in the summer. Especially in Plano Texas.It is worth the money and you have no problems and they are safe. Rick
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6T9 Sportroof
Journeyman Posts: 57
From: Richmond,Ky,USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 01-17-2003 02:05 PM
Good friend of mine works at a heating and air place, we did some trading out and I ended up with a old air handler with the heating coils in it from a house they installed a new unit in. It is electric so if I run it full time my bill jumps up pretty good. I just use it when I'm working in my garage, it's on a thermostat so it will kick on and off when it hits the temp. I have a metal garage,30x36, two car. Walls and ceiling have the regular plastic backed insulation that is used in metal buildings, both garage doors are insulated.
Was working in there last weekend, temp outside 17-20, temp inside 65-70. This setup works great for what I wanted it for,,,occasional winter work or escape the house on winter days when the wife goes to cleaning,, I can always clean off the workbench or straighten the garage up 
Hope this gives you some ideas.
John------------------
Soon to be acquired 1969 Sportsroof in very rough shape
1999 F250 CC 4x4 Powerstroke
2001 F150 Supercrew 4x4 [This message has been edited by 6T9 Sportroof (edited 01-20-2003).]
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68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 1199
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 01-19-2003 03:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 6T9 Sportroof:
Was working in there last weekend, temp outside 17-20, temp inside 65-70.
Sounds good!
Yesterday I had a kerosene heater and an electric unit with a fan running for 4 hours and only managed a jump from 19 to 30 degrees inside!
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timjk
Journeyman Posts: 56
From:
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 01-30-2003 09:53 PM
I have a pellet stove in my garage. Really like it.
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CAPTAIN CLAMHEAD
Journeyman Posts: 50
From: DETROIT MI
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 02-20-2003 05:49 PM
NOTHING BEATS HOT WATER HEAT.
BEST TO RUN PIPES IN THE FLOOR.
I DO NOT SUGGEST DOING THIS JOB IN THE WINTER.------------------
IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT NOBODY DOES.
GIVE ME A TEST, I'M SIMPLY THE BEST!
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lyle29464
Gearhead Posts: 857
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 09-07-2003 11:30 PM
I bought a window heat&air unit. keeps it dry inside and no flame.
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wesred90gt
Journeyman Posts: 32
From: lyons,il united states
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 09-08-2003 07:10 PM
my buddy down the block in his garage he has an old house furnace that runs on natural gas. in the winter time that is the only garage that wont have any snow on it or around it cause it gets like a sauna. you go in the garage wrapped up like an eskimo 5 minutes later you are workin on the car wearin a wife beater t shirt and shorts cause you are sweating your go nads off
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cynot65
Gearhead Posts: 1024
From: New York
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 09-30-2003 07:31 PM
My garage is detached so I'm not too concerned about the noise with my 150,000 btu kerosene heater. I turn it on, close the garage door and in about a half an hour it's about 90 degrees. At that point I turn that off and then turn on one of those enclosed loop oil heaters that looks like a radiator and that keeps the garage at about 65-70 degrees. One thing I should mention is that the kerosene heaters not only give off a nasty smell but they also have a tendency to leave a very thin film on everything. I would recommend that if you are going to use one of those to heat up for painting, that you should give the area you're painting a good wipe with some denatured alcohol before applying any paint. One of these days I'm going to insulate my garage. I've had problems with condensation too but so far nothing that has ruined anything.
Tony C*------------------
65 Convertible, Vintage Burgandy/Standard Black Interior, 289, 4spd
M&M Member#450
It ain't done yet, but it'll be done right!!
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pmhvps
Journeyman Posts: 84
From: Lowville,Ontario,Canada
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 10-22-2003 12:33 PM
Hi all, I live near Toronto, Canada and we get damp cold winters here. I have a full double ext. back insulated garage. I have a 220v electric that I start up. Then fire up the Carmore downdraught wood-stove. ( I use Oak and Hickory only ) By the time the stove is running I switch off the electric. Even on the coldest days and nights my garage is warmer than my house. It was -18c one night and the garage was a toasty 29c.
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N266fords
Gearhead Posts: 906
From: Spokane ,WA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 10-23-2003 12:57 AM
What about hydronics or a 90% furnace nat gas or propane they have a sealed combustion chamber and get there combustable air and exausht from and to the outside via pfc pipe..70,000 btu furnace would not work hard at all. bruce
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Dubz
Gearhead Posts: 823
From: Manitoba Canada
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 10-26-2003 07:29 PM
I live up here in Manitoba, cold cold. I use a 220V small construction heater, in about 15 min it has the garage up to about 15 degrees.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 35449
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-26-2003 09:05 PM
I'll say it again, I love my electric heaters. No fuel to mess with, no smells, no spark to liven the place up, I just turn them on and I can easily make the shop warmer than you'd ever want it. My 220v and my quartz heaters do the job for about a buck a day. My garage is double insulated, sheetrocked, has Anderson windows and a vinyl insulated 8x16' door. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '70 Mustang Convertible - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150
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Perk 351C
Journeyman Posts: 49
From: Cape Neddick Me USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-01-2003 08:29 AM
Gary,Capt.Clamhead is right!I am a plumbing and heating contractor.I install forced hot water radiant heat in houses all the time.The 1/2 plastic pex pipe in the concrete slab,in a garage is very comfortable and economical.Imagine laying on your floor on a cold winters day,working on your car,totally warm!Perk351C
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