Looking at heaters for my garage

[White95Max]

I`ve come to the decision that I need an electric garage heater. I was searching http://www.Lowes.com and I found a bunch of them. Most of them are pretty inexpensive too.

Here are the search results:



http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...rs&N=0+5000407



I found this one that I liked:



http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...0UH&lpage=none



Any advice on electric heaters? I`m looking to heat a 1-car garage with it. I plan to block off any gaps in the wall today and tomorrow with some thick cardboard and duct tape. I know it`s not the greatest insulation, but I mainly just want to get rid of the drafts. If I could heat the garage to 45*F, I`ll be very happy.

[holland_patrick]

DeLonghi

Oil-Fill Radiator Heater with Timer



that is the one i would get. no fan and it will keep heating even after you turn it off so you have a more even heat

[LightngSVT]

That looks like a nice heater. This is going to sound wierd but when it comes to heaters you guys with normal sized garages, Im having a very hard time finding a heater for my new garage that doesnt cost a fortune and require venting. I can heat my current 2.5 car garage with 2 electric heaters from Sears.

[White95Max]

That looks like a nice heater.

Which one? The oil-filled one that Patrick mentioned, or the B&D one?



And Patrick - why would you prefer one without a fan? Wouldn`t it take forever to feel the heat away from the heater if there`s no fan to move the heat around?

[White95Max]

Do I need to worry about plugging the PC or my lights into the same circuit as the heater? Let`s say it`s a 1500W heater.

[imported_Reflections]

Do I need to worry about plugging the PC or my lights into the same circuit as the heater? Let`s say it`s a 1500W heater.

It`s likely. I used an extractor with a 1600W heater with a 500W halogen last night and it tripped the breaker while the unit was preheating. So I ran a cable inside the house for the extractor--I have an outlet right by the door to the garage. I had no problems afterwards.



Although, I can run 4x500W halogens and a PC on the same circuit and have no problems. I really don`t understand electricity.

[White95Max]

Well running an extension cord into my apt isn`t an option. I`d need a lot of extension cords! If need be, I will only run the heater when I`m washing, and then I`ll just unplug the heater while I use the PC. Chances are, I won`t be using the PC much at all anyway during the winter. But I`d like to have my 26W bulb and 2 36" flourescents on while I`m working (with the heater on).

[imported_Aurora40]

I also like the oil-filled heaters. They don`t get that hot, so they won`t accidentally burn the place down. They do take a little while to get cranking, though, so advanced planning is necessary. This is probably true of forced air heaters too, though.

[White95Max]

Another question:



Do I need to bring my heater inside anytime I`m not using it? Or will it be OK to sit outside if it gets to -20*F? Unfortunately, that`s a realistic temperature around here in the winter.

[shumax]

I don`t think you will be that happy with an electric heater. Then again, you`re the guy washing at 24 degrees :grinno:



I would suggest a very small torpedo heater that runs on propane, or kero. For $100, your garage will be easily warmed and you won`t have to worry about waiting. Depending on your ceilings, I bet it give you 40 degrees. I.E., if it`s 10 outside, the heater will raise it to 50.



Shumax

[White95Max]

I don`t like the idea of fumes from combusting propane or kerosene. That`s my reasoning for looking at electric heaters. If I have to turn the heater on for 20 minutes before I go out to the garage that`s not a problem.

[theeloved1]

I would also recommend getting a torpedo heater. I have a relatively small one...30,000btu I believe...and I can easily heat my 20`x20` 2 car garage to the point where I shut it off and work comfortably in a long sleeve tshirt. I would suggest propane because the kero ones smell funny. I think I paid like $70 for mine.

[LightngSVT]

I agree with you, Im also paranoid about fumes in a closed space. I have used a couple small electric heater in my current 19.5 x 26 garage and they can raise the temp 20* + if left to run for 30 min. I think that oil filled heater looks nice actually. I dont think you get the same fumes with oil as kero or propane?

[holland_patrick]

the thing is once you get the oil filed one up to temp it wil still release heat even if you unplug it.. that `s a plus. Also convection wil work more for you the colder it is so this will be nicer then the fan one

[White95Max]

SVT - you won`t get any fumes from an electric oil radiator because nothing is combusting inside. The oil is simply the media which delivers the heat throughout the radiator, just like the coolant releases heat from an automotive radiator.