Looking at heaters for my garage

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White95Max

New member
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?acti...roducts&category=Electric Heaters&N=0+5000407



I found this one that I liked:



http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=154282-30353-200UH&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.
 
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
 
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.
 
LightngSVT said:
That looks like a nice heater.
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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?
 
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.
 
White95Max said:
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.
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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.
 
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).
 
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.
 
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. :(
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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
 
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.
 
White95Max said:
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.
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There are almost no fumes with propane heaters. The only concern is oxygen depletion (ventless type) if they are installed in a small room. Even that is not a concern with the new ones, as they have an oxygen depletion sensor.



My son had one installed in his garage. It works great, and is much, much, much cheaper than an electric heater. The "radiant" models throw heat almost immediately.



I liked it so much, that I had one installed in our house as a "backup" heater if the power goes out (no electricity needed), or it gets extremely cold.
 
White95Max said:
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.
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You're problem isn't going to be the 20min. wait, it'll be that it will never warm up. A small electric unit, like you posted links to, is not going to warm even a 1-car garage much at all. Sure, it might take 10 degrees off, but what's the point?



A torpedo heater will heat the hell out of a one car garage. Keep the garage door opened about 2" and you'll neve smell a thing. Or, if you have an access door, leave it open a few inches. I've done it for years before moving to our new home where I'll be having a forced air (vented) unit hung from the ceiling here shortly.



I just finished my wifes car (Zaino, Sonus, engine, snor tires, etc.) with a heater attachment on a propane grill tank. It took the chill off of a three car garage and didn't stink much at all. I had a carbon monxiode tester to be sure---never went off. Though, I can't wait for the forced air unit----it will easily warm the garage 50 degrees, if needed.



Good luck with whatever you get, but I think you'll be happier with something other than electric.



Shumax
 
:getdown Torpedo heaters rock! I've had one in the garage for several years now and I simply love it. Unfortunately I'm having trouble getting kerosene at a reasonable price. (the only stuff I could find this year was 8.77 a gallon - a far cry from the 3.00 a gallon I paid last year.) Now I'm stuck with a radiant electric heater in the garage and it simply isn't enough. I want my torpedo back! :bawling:
 
White95Max said:
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.
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I borught a 170,000 BTU 13 Gallon Kerosene heater w/thermostat from Lowes at the end of last winter for less than half off. They sell a additive that you can put in with the Kerosene that greatly minimizes the odors/fumes and keeps the fuel fresh.



You can also get one that uses propane and just use the tank from your BBQ Grill.



It's way overkill for a one car garage but the smaller ones which were on sale as well were all gone. But man that thing only needs to be on for about 15 mins and the whole garage goes from below freezing to about 60 degrees where I have it programmed to shut off.



I have a 15000W electric room heater and decided to try it out in the garage before buying something else and it did zip for a Western NY winter.



As far as my research went, forced air (gas/or fuel) heat spaces like sheds or garages better and cheaper than electric. I've seen my Electric bill from just using that electric heater in the house to supplement the home heating system



I couldn't imagine what the bill would be for running one in an unheated space for any number of hours to get it resonably warm.
 
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