Garage Heaters
Discussion
Just completed a detached garage for my Esprit. Going to be doing some work on the car over the winter months. I'm trying to decide whether to go with an electric or propane portable heater. I need to heat approx. 312 sq ft with a 9' ceiling. Anyone have any experience with these heaters? I could use some advice.
Thanks...
Pete (getting colder) in Southern Maryland
Thanks...
Pete (getting colder) in Southern Maryland
I use a propane heater but it does give off lots of moisture until everything heats up, then it tends to dry out. My problem is my garage is poory insulated so I need a lot of heat to warm it up quickly. If you have a well insulated garage then go for electric although 312 sq ft equates to a garage that is a lot bigger than mine so may cost a fortune to heat. If your garage is attached to your house why not go for a radiator attached to your C/H system but you will still need a very large one with convection.
Nick
You're not wrong, there is a formula, just nip down to any B&Q and look in the rad section. There's a chart that tells you size of rads for volume of room for a given temp increase. ( used it when I did my CH )
P.S.
Nick notice you're not too far from me, we'll have to meet up for Stoneleigh if you're going.
You're not wrong, there is a formula, just nip down to any B&Q and look in the rad section. There's a chart that tells you size of rads for volume of room for a given temp increase. ( used it when I did my CH )
P.S.
Nick notice you're not too far from me, we'll have to meet up for Stoneleigh if you're going.
You could use an electric radiant heater or Infra red type. You get an immediate warm feeling without having to heat the entire air space to the desired temperature. (which may take a while if insulation is poor)
The last garage I built I insulated and lined. Well you have to be comfortable when working on car don't you?
The last garage I built I insulated and lined. Well you have to be comfortable when working on car don't you?
How do you heat your home? I heat with natural gas, but even if you heat with propane, I would just install an infared unit heater. I'm a gasfitter and I've installed them in lots of places large and small. Very efficient and they and easy to install. If you work on your Lotus yourself you'd probably be able to tackle it. Even if you hire someone, it could probably be done at a reasonable price. Just a
thought.
Brad
89SE
thought.
Brad
89SE
Thanks for all the replys.
Just thought I'd post a follow up on the garage heater. The info could come in handy for others.
First I tried a 5000 btu oil-filled electric convection heater. Maybe brought the temp up a couple of degrees after several hours. Canned it. Next was a Mr Heater 9000 btu propane radiant heater, not much better than the electric. Exchanged it for a 25000 btu propane convection heater. It raised the temp perhaps 15 degrees and took hours to do so, not acceptable. Finally got a 35000 but forced air propane heater (also called a torpedo heater). This baby cooks. Brings the temp from 30 to 65 degrees in about an hour. It uses an electric motor to force the hot air out so it is a bit noisy, got to turn up the radio a few notches.
Bottom line, learn from my mistakes, go out and get a high btu forced air heater.
Now I can concentrate my efforts on pulling the motor out of the Esprit (in warm comfort).
Pete
>> Edited by inno on Monday 27th December 04:18
Just thought I'd post a follow up on the garage heater. The info could come in handy for others.
First I tried a 5000 btu oil-filled electric convection heater. Maybe brought the temp up a couple of degrees after several hours. Canned it. Next was a Mr Heater 9000 btu propane radiant heater, not much better than the electric. Exchanged it for a 25000 btu propane convection heater. It raised the temp perhaps 15 degrees and took hours to do so, not acceptable. Finally got a 35000 but forced air propane heater (also called a torpedo heater). This baby cooks. Brings the temp from 30 to 65 degrees in about an hour. It uses an electric motor to force the hot air out so it is a bit noisy, got to turn up the radio a few notches.
Bottom line, learn from my mistakes, go out and get a high btu forced air heater.
Now I can concentrate my efforts on pulling the motor out of the Esprit (in warm comfort).
Pete
>> Edited by inno on Monday 27th December 04:18
Hi,
Another option is to get a gas/propane heater that pulls outside air that also exhausts to the outside too. Ex: Rinnai vented heater. I have been told that many items such as paint, cleaners, etc, accelerate the deteoriating of a heater if its intake or exhaust is hooked up to garage area.
In addition, it can be harmful to your car's finsh in the long run.
I also am exploring methods to heat a 3 bay garage.
Rich Flowers
'95 S4s ...SHF63000
'79 JPS #040
Another option is to get a gas/propane heater that pulls outside air that also exhausts to the outside too. Ex: Rinnai vented heater. I have been told that many items such as paint, cleaners, etc, accelerate the deteoriating of a heater if its intake or exhaust is hooked up to garage area.
In addition, it can be harmful to your car's finsh in the long run.
I also am exploring methods to heat a 3 bay garage.
Rich Flowers
'95 S4s ...SHF63000
'79 JPS #040
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