Heating a Garage...temporary or full time solution

Young_Stallion · 02-05-04, 10:51

I would like to be able ot heat my garage and keep it at a good temperature for a few days at a time

I would like to keeo the garage warm enough to have the body on the car heat up enough to detail it, as well as have a comfortable working area.

Dont think it is safe to leave propane heaters on while I am not around keeping an eye on it, etc and electric is probally way to expensive.

Any other ways to do this?

ky-mike · 02-06-04, 10:49

Our master bedroom and bathroom reside above our garage. They used to get quite cold in the winter as the garage was unheated. My local utility company sells and installs radiant, ventless gas heaters. After installing this, we keep the garage at about 50 degrees during the winter. When I need to work in the garage, I can crank the heat up to over 70 degrees if needed. I am a big fan of this type of heater and will likely incorporate it into my next house.

Young_Stallion · 02-06-04, 11:16

How expensive is something like this to buy/operate? It is safe to leave it on all the time?

Brad B. · 02-06-04, 12:26

My garage is detached so it gets quite cold. (or hot) I installed a full fledged, residential gas furnace-a/c in the attic of the garage. It was a lot cheaper than you would imagine and is extremely efficient to run.

I also keep the temp at about 48° during the winter and crank it up when I want to do something out there. It takes about 15 minutes to hit 65°.

Young_Stallion · 02-06-04, 12:28

Roughly how much am I looking at to setup what you have done Brad?

Young_Stallion · 02-06-04, 12:40

Also..my garage is attached to my house. How can I just connect my heating/ac systems from my house to the garage...but on a seperate system so they dont have to be the same Temp.

The cheaper way would obviouslly be nice.

DIMA · 02-06-04, 08:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Brad B.
My garage is detached so it gets quite cold. (or hot) I installed a full fledged, residential gas furnace-a/c in the attic of the garage. It was a lot cheaper than you would imagine and is extremely efficient to run.

Nice work, Brad! Really well done!

Brad B. · 02-06-04, 08:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Young_Stallion
Roughly how much am I looking at to setup what you have done Brad?

I have about a grand wrapped up in the furnace, a/c, ducts, cold air return, and wall insulation, thermostst, etc. You can do it for much less depending on the btu's required for the square footage of the space.

thinksnow · 02-06-04, 08:53

Quote:

Originally posted by Young_Stallion
Roughly how much am I looking at to setup what you have done Brad?

Roughly how much am I looking at to live in your garage, per month? 48 is fine with me, I have tons of fleece.

Terry · 02-06-04, 08:54

I use a propane ...blower type heater & crack my windows about six inches while I'm detailing. My garage is a two car and it heats up quickly....when it reaches 60 degrees ( about an hour) I turn off the propane & shut the windows....If and when it gets below 40.....about 3 hrs later I repeat the process. Thank God I live in North Carolina. I lived in North Ohio my whole life & know what you Northerners endure.....

Young_Stallion · 02-06-04, 10:58

My garage is very old with no insulation...the whole garage would need to be insulated before i set it up

Brad B. · 02-07-04, 12:39

Part of my garage was built in 1917. (It was a carriage house) I added the new part a few years ago. I put in glass block windows for security and insulation properties. They work well. As you mention, insulation is a must. I did the entire attic and the walls of the new side. The old side has brick on both sides of a concrete block center and is over 14" thick. It insulates well. Insulate your garage door, too. I was amazed at what a difference that made!