Best Garage Heater for MA weather

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Tony C

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Okay guys. Looking for advice regarding my home's single car garage that I've finally organized enough to do work in this winter if...I can keep it warm enough. I insulated it this summer, so I should be able to retain some heat this winter. I figured this is the best place to get practical advice.

My goal is to be able to work out there a few hours at a time either after work, or during the weekend. Can anyone offer some specific products for me to research and hopefully purchase this week? Some recommend propane, but I'm having a hard time knowing how big a unit I actually need.

All comments are welcomed. I think that winter in New England is finally coming :)
 
As an additional comment: I am not looking for a permanent mounted unit, but a portable one.
 
I like the forced air propane heaters. They are fairly inexpensive and heat up quickly. I just have a small one like in the link in my 1.5 car garage. My garage has a 10' ceiling and isn't insulated, but this heater can still get it warm enough to work in during freezing temperatures. The downside of propane is that you need to leave the garage door cracked open a bit for venting.

Forced Air Propane Heater - 38000 BTU
 
i have an insulated 2 car garage and a diesel 70K BTU heater and in 30 minutes I can have the garage at 75 degrees.
 
Kerosene. A 45000 btu unit will keep you nice and warm for 6 hours before needed to be refilled. Mine takes up about 2 feet in the corner and only weighs about 30 lbs so it's easy to move. An advantage with kerosene is you can use it inside your home if the power goes out.
 
This is what I use. This little propane heater puts out some serious heat when both elements are lit:

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH18B-Portable-Propane/dp/B0002WRHE8

In 25 degree weather, I can have my two-car garage comfortable in less than a half hour.

You can use one or two of the small 2.5 lb propane tanks or purchase the optional connector hose for use with a 20lb tank. There is a compartment on each side of the heater for the 2.5 lb tanks which makes it easy to move around if you want to. Also has a fan which blows the heated air.
 
any of the ventless heaters (propane / kerosene) need a some ventilation. and some people like myself are really sensitive about the smell of kerosene units (gives me instant migrane/nausia) , so before you spend money on a kero unit, ask a friend to lend you one!
 
Rockeey said:
This is what I use. This little propane heater puts out some serious heat when both elements are lit:

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-MH18B-Portable-Propane/dp/B0002WRHE8

In 25 degree weather, I can have my two-car garage comfortable in less than a half hour.

You can use one or two of the small 2.5 lb propane tanks or purchase the optional connector hose for use with a 20lb tank. There is a compartment on each side of the heater for the 2.5 lb tanks which makes it easy to move around if you want to. Also has a fan which blows the heated air.
Click to expand...


This is interesting and much smaller a unit than I was thinking of. I see that you are in Michigan where they have some tough winters. If it can do the job, I love the fact that I could actually bring it other places, like camping, etc . Thanks for sharing.
 
In Ma. Kerosene heaters are not allowed for sale you would have to purchase heater and fuel in NH .... I am sensitive to fumes as well affects my asthma...i have a little buddy heater for my shed but cans of propane can be expensive....maybe a pellet stove off of craig list ???
 
i have a propane tank, with a 3 burner heater attached.

i use 2 burners to heat up shop initially, then will turn 1 on when needed throughout the day.

i work in a paint booth, which is about 14x25 at least, and this easily heats up to being comfortable in shorts and t-shirt in about 20 minutes.

i expect to use 2 tanks over the winter months, which is about 35-40 bucks.
 
Tony
Rockeey`s link for Mr.Heater-MH18 from Amazon has a product disclaimer that they can`t sell this unit in California or Massachusetts.
 
Tony C said:
Okay guys. Looking for advice regarding my home's single car garage that I've finally organized enough to do work in this winter if...I can keep it warm enough. I insulated it this summer, so I should be able to retain some heat this winter. I figured this is the best place to get practical advice.



My goal is to be able to work out there a few hours at a time either after work, or during the weekend. Can anyone offer some specific products for me to research and hopefully purchase this week? Some recommend propane, but I'm having a hard time knowing how big a unit I actually need.



All comments are welcomed. I think that winter in New England is finally coming :)
Click to expand...



You are correct. Winter is finally coming to NE. 50's to 20's with snow in a single day.

Propane is about $2.50 per gal... But pricy. I'm looking at a 3 bay shop which is propane.

Is your garage attached or detached?

Sorry, don't have much else to offer this thread.
 
I have a single burner heater from HF that mounts on a 20lb tank. It keeps my single car garage comfy by running for about 10 minutes every hour. I also have a small electric heater that looks like a oscillating fan. It does a good job maintaining the heat but won't warm it if it's cold.
 
pilotpip said:
I have a single burner heater from HF that mounts on a 20lb tank. It keeps my single car garage comfy by running for about 10 minutes every hour.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking about originally. So what kind of single burn heater? I saw some in Home Depot but did not know what size? Any recommendations?
 
paul_g said:
You are correct. Winter is finally coming to NE. 50's to 20's with snow in a single day.

Is your garage attached or detached?
Click to expand...

The garage is attached, and it is now insulated on all walls. Hoping that this helps my efforts to keep it warm and comfortable.
 
JRP said:
Tony
Rockeey`s link for Mr.Heater-MH18 from Amazon has a product disclaimer that they can`t sell this unit in California or Massachusetts.
Click to expand...

Good catch. I just looked it up and found this one:
Amazon.com: Mr. Heater F274865-Massachusetts/Canada Portable LP Heater: Automotive

Now this model makes more sense. It looks like an interesting product as long as it can keep the garage warm enough. This is where it would be great to be able to try one. I think I'd figure it out pretty quick.
 
Reading this post reminds me of one I read last year. The member was working on a car in his garage with some kind of heater burning for warmth. After a couple of hours he stopped for a smoke but his lighter wouldn't light. He was surprised because he had fueled it in the morning and had used it during the day. He then opened the garage door and was greeted by a rush of fresh air. The garage had become full of carbon monoxide. That was a time when smoking maybe saved his life.
Be careful with heaters in enclosed spaces. Get a professional installer for a garage heater. Personal safety issue.
 
With the propane heaters, you need to make sure you have combustion air. The smaller the area; the tighter the envelope, the more important that becomes. I wouldn't use my propane heaters anymore without sufficient air leaks. Whether inherent in the structure or created with a slightly open door or window. Don't be lazy. Step outside every once in awhile and see if you notice much of a difference in air quality. Get a carbine monoxide detector. They don't cost that much.

As for info, the heaters that run off of the smaller propane canisters can be adapted to work off the bigger tanks. it's a small adapter that probably costs $10-15.
There are catalytic propane heaters that heat by chemical reaction instead of combustion. You still need to allow some air in (for the reaction), but you don't have the carbon monoxide problem (The reaction creates carbon dioxide). These are becoming popular with some RV'ers. They are a little more pricey and you have to be careful not to contaminate them with dust. But they're more efficient and safe. Here's a popular one:

Amazon.com: Camco 57341 Olympian Wave-6 6000 BTU LP Gas Catalytic Heater: Automotive
 
I've used this one for ten years here in Michigan. I can get my attached 2 1/2 car non insulated garage up to 53 degrees with temps outside above 10 degrees. I have 10' ceilings so I also put a cheap oscillating fan in the corner and point it to the ceiling on low to circulate the heat.
DuraHeat 23,000 BTU Kerosene Portable Heater-DH2304 - The Home Depot

Edit- I also built a small dolly that the heater sits in so I can easily roll it around
 
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