Garage/Shop Heater

[MarciaR]

When the furnace for my family room was replaced recently, they removed the (not per code, I'm told) flex-duct supply to the garage. So now I have to figure out how to heat the garage. This room is only insulated above in the attic. It abuts interior heated areas of my home on two sides, one side is an exterior cinder block wall with brick on the exterior (and a small high efficiency window), and the fourth side has insulated garage doors. The garage holds cars, cars-in-progress, and also serves as a workshop. It's about 500 sf. I have natural gas supply (they t-d it off the furnace line).

I've looked at:
1. Mr. Heater MAXX 75K BTU, which requires gas, electric (for the fan) and venting; it would be hung from the ceiling.
2. COBY Direct Vent Furnace 33K BTU which requires only gas (no fan, I'd put a box fan on the shelf next to it); it would mount on and vent through the cinder block wall
3. Mr. Heater Natural Gas Garage Radiant Heater 40K BTU, which requires gas only and no electric (though there is a thermostat) or venting. It looks like it would hang from a bracket -- sort of cantilevered off the cinder block wall.

Can you help me figure out how to figure out the best solution?

[chuckcrj]

I would go with number 1. Or a radiant tube heater, we have put a few in and people love them. Radiant heat is always nicer.

Ventless heaters are not recommended unless you have good ventilation, such as a window and door open.

[talktowags]

1st you will want to insulate that 3rd wall. Will you be heating all the time or just when working out there ??
Where are you located and how cold does it get ? I live in southern Ontario and 45k heats my 800 sq ft shop just fine. Radiant heat may be a good option if you have enough height. Need more details to go any further.
:cheers:

[grasshopper]

Do not go ventless! I would go with one that has a fan.

[bmathews]

If you work on cars in there that have gas and other flammable liquids. I wouldn't put in anything with an open flame. (i.e. gas) without proper ventilation personally. Things go boom. Get somebody to install a little 1 ton electric air handler with 5kw strip heat and be done with it.

[MarciaR]

I don;'t understand some of what you've proposed, so questions...

-chuckcrj:when I search for radiant tube heater I find only radiant heater. are they different? Is my #3 above ( Mr. Heater Natural Gas Garage Radiant Heater 40K BTU) one of those?

-talktowags: (1) wanted to be comfortable when working out there but need to keep temp above 40F because there to keep fluids stored in the garage from freezing. (2) I am in N. Illinois so it can get pretty cold (though maybe not as cold as where you are). The units I've looked at all say they'll do 800-1000 sf so I think I'm fine on that. (3) What's the issue about height on radiant?

-grasshopper: even if I have to run power to the location? that adds a lot of cost on the install. How's that head injury?

-bmathews: when I try to search on 1 ton air handler and 5kw strip heat I am overwhelmed with choices. And the air handlers I find are $$$. Can you narrow down a bit or give me more specifics on what you're thinking?

THANKS TO YOU ALL!

[talktowags]

I don;'t understand some of what you've proposed, so questions...

-chuckcrj:when I search for radiant tube heater I find only radiant heater. are they different? Is my #3 above ( Mr. Heater Natural Gas Garage Radiant Heater 40K BTU) one of those?

-talktowags: (1) wanted to be comfortable when working out there but need to keep temp above 40F because there to keep fluids stored in the garage from freezing. (2) I am in N. Illinois so it can get pretty cold (though maybe not as cold as where you are). The units I've looked at all say they'll do 800-1000 sf so I think I'm fine on that. (3) What's the issue about height on radiant?

-grasshopper: even if I have to run power to the location? that adds a lot of cost on the install. How's that head injury?

-bmathews: when I try to search on 1 ton air handler and 5kw strip heat I am overwhelmed with choices. And the air handlers I find are $$$. Can you narrow down a bit or give me more specifics on what you're thinking?

THANKS TO YOU ALL!
:cheers:
Only issue with radiant if only 8 ft. high and your working directly under it, can get a little warm. But still your best option.

[jpsmith1cm]

enb54,

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