That 1500 watt heater is putting out about 5100 BTU. Here in CT, when it gets below 25 - 30 degrees, my 30,000 BTU heater is not enough in a partially insulated garage. This year I'll have a 60K unit.
Propane does put moisture in the air, but I've never found it to be a problem here.
I used a kerosene fired heater and then a kerosene fueled torpedo heater for a number of years before I installed an electrical heater very similar to the one you're considering. Same wattage, different brand. Works like a charm. The thermostat takes some getting used to as it doesn't set to a specific temp, just have to figure out what the number on "Their" stat means in relation to shop temp. No biggie. Insulated shop ~ 24' x 14' maintains a minimum temp of ~ 42 degrees from November through April. When I want to use the shop in the evening, I crank it up when I get home from work, go in the house and change clothes and walk out to a nice warm shop. Effect on the electric bill has been negligible. Certainly cheaper and more healthy, etc. than the kerosene routine.
Best thing was when I brought SWMBO out to see how nice it was in the shop in the middle of January (when I did the install) her comment was, "Great. Now where are you going to put the A/C?" She was serious.
Next stop a good buy on a used window AC unit and then out came the Sawz-all. Can't beat it!
We'll be moving next month and I'm going to wall off part of the garage for a shop. Still a small shop, but more than the 11x13 shed I have now.
A wood stove isn't an option because I don't generate enough scrap to keep one going and I don't want to either buy wood or go out and harvest it. Plus I have some safety concerns.
So I've been looking for heating and cooling options. A through the wall ductless heat pump looks like the best option, but I don't think I can afford one. A window AC/heat pump is more affordable, but I'd have to make a "window" for it. Finally, I could go with a direct vent gas heater and a separate AC, or just try to do with out AC - the garage will get heavily insulated.
I'd appreciate everyone's opinions or experiences with the above options or with any other option I may have overlooked. Thanks.
"G. Ross" wrote in news:Z6OdnbXODarG6Q3NnZ2dnUVZ snipped-for-privacy@giganews.com:
*snip*I suspect that what we think of as a thermostat on those things is a simple timer. They usually work good enough, but I've got to adjust one about 5 times a heating season.
Puckdropper
It happens to the best of us ...
:)
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IMO, a kerosene Reddy Heater or similar is the best for heating a shop. I've used one for going on ten years now. Quick heat, cheaper than electricity, can buy thermostats to go with them, & move around easily. About the only fallbacks are making sure you don't pay road taxes on the kero and you have to have a couple of 5 gallon cans for the kero, but IMO again, that's no big deal. IIRC mine is a 25,000 BTU which is more than enough to heat my shop and with a box fan on the ceiling can push the heat out and include heat for the entire garage. YMMV of course, dependiing on cu. ft., etc..
Big snip.....
garage/workshop. It does a great job on the coldest days. 30K BTU would be overkill for you but they make smaller ones. You would have to provide some kind of outside air circulation but the fit of the garage doors and a vent in my attic access does well. I paid less than $300 for my unit and the plumbing added about $50 more. Easy installation.
Where are you located and how much insulation in your shop?
Thanks, Roy
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