Garage heating suggestions

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:44 pm

Ok, it is cold outside and while I am not the man that Ryan and Vincent are (working on the CRX outside in the cold, rain, snow), my 2.5 car garage is still pretty cold. :oops:

What are people using for garage heat? I assume most everyone is using some type of propane heater. Which works best? The "radiant" or "forced air" style? I am leaning toward some type of inexpensive forced air style that connects to a 20lb propane tank.

Suggestions, places to buy, tips, tricks, things to watch out for, etc. are all welcome. Now is your chance to prevent me from buying the wrong thing!

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:11 pm

The forced air work quicker and better, they also cost more.

I have a kerosense forced air heater, the so called "jet" heaters, and I love it. Quick to fill easy to move, and i think for run time cheaper than propane. Also no fumes either.

Just remeber on the forced air one you need power to run them at all.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:36 pm

Adam Ligon wrote:

The forced air work quicker and better

In my experience they heat you, not the room, which is perfect IMO. I have one at my sister's garage that does pretty well. I usually have to point it at the wall and have the deflected heat on me.

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:00 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

I am leaning toward some type of inexpensive forced air style that connects to a 20lb propane tank.

This is what I have. A little Cannon-looking heater I hook up to a propane tank. I can aim it where I am actually sitting. It's been effective so far. I'll report back tomorrow after spending this evening in my garage with the outside airtemp supposed to be around 16*. Surprisingly, this is warmer than if I wanted to wait till this weekend durring the warmest part of the day.

Diane ~ who says "Freezing would be an improvement!"

RobLupella · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 2:01 pm

YOu could start the car with the heat blasting and leave the doors open and the garage doors closed :lol:

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:07 pm

Radiant floor heating.

That's what's going in my dream garage. Mmm warm concrete.

I guess if I had a lift it wouldn't be as important, but right now, I spend a lot of time on the floor when working on my car.

Scott

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:22 pm

It's amazing the difference a nice thick piece of cardboard makes to the floor temperature. Much cheaper than radiant floor heating too.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:39 pm

Just remember that most, if not all, fuel powered heaters are not intended for use in spaces that are NOT well ventilated. Not as bad as running the car engine but certainly something to be aware of. Read and follow the directions . . .

Note that in our climate (most of the time) a well insulated two garage, even detached, can be kept comfortable winter or summer with a window/through the wall style heat pump that runs on 240VAC when needed.

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:39 pm

IR heaters are MUCH safer since they do not have a flame to ingnite the typical flamables we all use. The Kerosene and propane portable "salamander" heaters (cannon shaped as Diane says) are efficient at heating a space quickly, but have no thermostatic control. You don't need a very big one to heat a garage, and would be a good choice if you aren't planning on keeping the garage heated frequently or all the time. If you own the garage and want to keep it heated and cooled all the time then I'd go with Dick's suggestion. Insulation is a LOT cheaper than heat!

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:50 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

. The Kerosene and propane portable "salamander" heaters (cannon shaped as Diane says) are efficient at heating a space quickly, but have no thermostatic control. Insulation is a LOT cheaper than heat!

Not true, in new equipment. Many of the newer heaters have built in thremostats, and alomst all can be retrofitted with them.

George Bright · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:06 pm

Agri Supply has an 120V inline thermostat that you can plug a turbo heater into. I would still not leave it unattended though.

AndersGreen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2005 9:45 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

Just remember that most, if not all, fuel powered heaters are not intended for use in spaces that are NOT well ventilated.

I picked up a carbon monoxide moniter that I plug in when I'm using the propane heat indoors.

Diane Hall wrote:

It's amazing the difference a nice thick piece of cardboard makes to the floor temperature.

Diane, for about $8 you can step up to luxury: go down to Lowes or Home Depot and get a 4'x8' sheet of that Tyvek stuff, it's the outer sheath they put on houses. It's awesome! We carry some in the van to use in case we have to work on the ground at a rally at night or in the rain. I also have a nice big piece here in my garage.

Also, since the outside of it is a foil, you can wipe fluids off. It doesn't absorb like cardboard.

Anders

RobLupella · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:22 pm

AndersGreen wrote:

Diane, for about $8 you can step up to luxury: go down to Lowes or Home Depot and get a 4'x8' sheet of that Tyvek stuff, it's the outer sheath they put on houses. It's awesome! We carry some in the van to use in case we have to work on the ground at a rally at night or in the rain. I also have a nice big piece here in my garage.

Also, since the outside of it is a foil, you can wipe fluids off. It doesn't absorb like cardboard.

Anders

But it is really slick, so watch out if you step on it :wink:

AndersGreen · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:24 pm

RobLupella wrote:

But it is really slick, so watch out if you step on it :wink:

Yeah. I solve that problem by keeping it under the car. Then only REALLY short people are in danger. :lol:

Anders

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:27 pm

Wow... and I thought I was pretty smart with the whole cardboard. Anders... I bow to your genuis.

Note to self... buy some Tyvek before next winter.

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