Best heater for Heated Garage

IID

IID

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Can anyone make some recommendation's for a garage heater for a 2-1/2 car garage?I have enough customer's to justify a heater this winter,and WI norm's for temp is around in the 20's.
I will be spending 20-30hrs a week in the garage.
The garage is not insulated nor will be.I have exposed studs and trusses and was thinking of at least covering them with plastic.
Monthly maintance bill's would also have to be considered as I don't want my profit's to pay just for heating the garage.
I was thinking maybe go with a torpedo (kerosene) type but have read some and have interest mentioning Infrared's?

Any input is appreciated:props:
 
If you go with an infrared it will be basically useless. They are highly NOT recommended for non-insulated areas and areas where cold air is frequently let in. If you do plan on going the infrared route, make sure you insulate your garage otherwise you will need to run the heater 24/7.
 
Kerosene heaters work well, but you MUST buy a Carbon Monoxide detector when you buy one. You can find the heaters for $40-50 on your local Craigslist all the time.

Also, make sure someone in your area has 1-K (clear) Kerosene. Gas stations are your best bet.
 
Infrared is good for directly heating something, like meat on a Shawarma rotisserie (Mmmm gyro's). For heating a garage, you want to heat the air in the entire room. A forced air unit is where it's at. :xyxthumbs:
 
I have a few things to think about,your input's definetly helped. Thank You
 
I use this in the winter. Works well. Last 18-36 hours.

LP Radiant Double Heater


 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Assuming he's got bare stud walls now, if he installed insulation the fire code says it must be covered with some type of wallboard/sheetrock/etc. which means $$$
Click to expand...

Exactly.I just don't have the funds at this moment to insulate.Maybe next year but this year i'm looking to do it as economically as possible without insullating.:(
 
Camaro2010 said:
I use this in the winter. Works well. Last 18-36 hours.

LP Radiant Double Heater


Click to expand...

This look's interesting.If that is a 5lb tank.Propane is what I was thinking with a torpedo type heater.This looks like it will throw off heat more at a body level (even thou heat rises).
 
I have a unit like the one above, it's a Mr heater with two independent heads. It doesn't heat up the entire garage well at all (finished garage). I do use it though, wish I bought a forced air unit... it's real hot right in front, and a massive amount of heat rises straight up from the heads, but still my garage doesn't get very warm.
 
I have a radiant kerosine heater, I don't use it any more because it didn't heat much unless I was next to it, imo and my garage is partly insulated. (It rarely freezes in there) I thought about getting one of those torpedo types, and also thought about the Mr. heater kind that sits atop the propane tank, but haven't wanted to part with the money. if it doesn't work. Pesonally, I'd go with the insulation first, even if it will cost more to do it, as you'll be spending a lot trying to heat it otherwise. Then try to save enough to get a hanging forced air unit. For sure, you'll need a carbon monoxide detector for the torpedo unit, and they will put an odor in the air, at least the older ones that I've been around did, but at least they heated. If your garage is attached, you'll have to consider the odor, it'll get in the house.

Check the codes, you might be able to get by with some thicker styrofoam board, and thin waferboard for a cover. I'm in northern Illinois, so I know about the weather you're facing.
 
I have one of these Shop Thermoheat 50000 - 80000 BTU Propane Convection Heater at Lowes.com for my 1 car garage and it works awesome. I stick it on high for about 10 minutes and my entire garage is then comfortable. Then I turn it down to low and let it keep it warm.

My garage is slight insulated so it does hold some heat. They do sell bigger ones as well, but don't know how well it would work in a larger area with no insulation at all.
 
Also consider taking your cars for a quick drive, a couple hot engine blocks will help to heat up a 2 car garage as well. :p
 
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