Garage Heat

[Jimustanguitar]

Is your garage heated? Mine isn't, and I can't help but wonder if there's a better way to go about this than a propane torpedo heater... I'm tempted to buy a few oil heaters (the electric radiator kind, not a an oil burner) so that there's no open flame. What do you do for those cold winter months?

I could install a gas heater, but I think we're moving in a year or two, so I'd hate to go through the hassle and expense for something that I'll just leave behind. Plus, I hear that the radiant heaters only heat what's in line of sight, which means that the toolbox is warm, but the tools are cold still :)

[Rikugun]

I wish there were a simple solution to this one too. Anything that exhausts in the work space is gonna be a problem. I've tried the torpedo heaters in propane and kerosene and both stink. A quality convection style kerosene heater burns the cleanest although start up and shutdown produce significant lingering stink. Flammable liquid spills where the vapors travel along the floor can cause explosions as well so there's that. Kero prices used to make these heaters a viable option but I think those days are long gone.

I gave my brother a small wood stove that produces a nice even heating. But then there is the creosote, proximity to combustibles, and the hassle of sourcing or paying for and storing seasoned split wood. A possible alternative might be pellet stoves - less messy but still take up valuable real estate. Unless you buy a ton or more the pellet prices can get steep and storage ideally requires indoor space. Some run with a thermostat but you still have to feed the hopper and empty ash.

Forced hot air gas/oil fired would be nice but as you mentioned they're generally considered part of the structure if you move. This option will probably heat up a cold space faster than some of the other options. They can be problematic if the space doubles as a refinishing area due to dust kicked up whenever it's running. These can run on a thermostat 24/7 with no attention required so once the space and tools heat up they stay that way. Of course there is a fuel cost for that luxury too.  :D Speaking of luxury and permanency, radiant floor heat would be awesome!  ;D

[Jimustanguitar]

Speaking of luxury and permanency, radiant floor heat would be awesome!  ;D

They do make an electric heating mat that you can tile over. In the next garage, I may just do radiant floors. All of the options are a tough retrofit with existing buildings though :(

[Fuzzlewump]

 I'm kind of lucky in this department...I don't currently have a garage to work in, but it's made up for by the fact that I live in the hottest region in the United States. While everyone else is locked up inside by the cold weather, we're in the 60's and 70's right now (17-25 Celsius). It has its drawbacks when you consider the heat in the summer, but if this bike were running right now the weather is perfect for riding.

I've seen guys use a small electric space heater on cold nights, like a radiator type. They take forever to really heat the room up, but once you've reached comfy temps they keep the warmth flowing so long as the garage is well-insulated.

[Rick G]

I installed an electric house furnace in my 10 x 16  work room in my garage in MPLS.  It was quick to heat it up , but too expensive to leave on 24/7.
It would warm it up to 70  in about an hour   the room was well insulated.
My shop here is even smaller , at 10 x 10 . I had a propane jet heater , which worked well  ,( I find no stink , like the kerosene ones)  but it was too big for the shed . I bought a radiant propane heater  and it works well ,  just don't back into it. I roll my VX out side , to generate some room, and let it run for an hour, before I start. It works well enough .

[Lucky]

I have a carport that is now enclosed (rolling trolly barn doors) I have both a torpedo heater and a kerosene radiant heater.

The torpedo heater will heat it up quickly but is expensive to run for long. I set its thermostat for 50ish then kick the kerosene heater on after that. Low will maintain 55 or so medium will keep it at a comfortable 65-70 degrees

Both are no more than 3 years old and the only time I get that kerosene smell is if the torpedo  runs out of fuel. Modern heaters shouldn't stink. Use good quality kerosene and do the annual maintenance on the heaters & a modern heater shouldnt smell.

I have a small bottle of pine scent additive I use when I think of it, kind of nice....


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[Drikk14]

My Stepfather has radiant in his garage floor but he uses it for his business. It is actually hooked up to an outside wood boiler so he fills it up in the morning and at night and it keeps the garage heated very well. They have another for the house. The outdoor wood boilers can burn any wood but again you have to get said wood and store it.

[motoracer8]

 Fortunatly I have a heated shop, it's 20X30 and well insulated. I installed a GE Zoneline AC unit like the ones used in motels. I keep it about 60 to 65 in the winter.

I worked in a unheated shop for years, I can't do it any more my joints rebel.

[YellowJacket!]

If you are going to work in any enclosed environment with a combustion type heater, please invest in a good carbon monoxide detector.   ....not a couple caged birds.   :police:

David

[Rikugun]

No worries David - safety is built in. When the CO's build up the O2 will also have been depleted by combustion so the flame will die.  This is your sign to open a window assuming you're still conscious...  :P

[dcsob]

Minneapolis /saint paul area.
I put a used lp house furnace in the garage/shop (12x24). The furnace has enough btu output  to heat the whole garage(36x24) once insulated. Brings the heat in the shop up to 60+ within 30  minutes even on the coldest days. If I know I want to spend the day blissed out I run out in the morning before coffee, turn it on to 50 degrees, go eat breakfast return to a comfortable shop, work in a light shirt and shorts if I want to. A 100 lb cylinder/approximately $93.00 lasts me from onset of cold weather until roughly mid march, and thats when I'm busy on bikes. otherwise it lasts well into the next season. Nothing quite like it. Ive done the torpedo heater gig and couldn't stand the stink or the noise. Plus I don't have to worry about killing myself with CO. as furnace sits in ventilated area, and ducts supply blessed warmth.

[RedBaron]

I think the simplest cost effective solution is to go to lowes and pick up two oil filled radiant heaters for about 35 bucks each and turn them on early in the morning you work in there. Very safe, the only method of portable heating safe for the garage or childrens rooms for that matter. You could also get a two work light stand and have light to work and they can knock the chill off after running an hour.

[Fuzzlewump]

If you are going to work in any enclosed environment with a combustion type heater, please invest in a good carbon monoxide detector.   ....not a couple caged birds.   :police:

Lmao!! I keep a couple of birds in the bathroom so I know if it's safe to go in after my roommate leaves. They work like a charm, but after replacing so many it's a little on the expensive side.

[Jimustanguitar]

I think step 1 for me is to make my garage more air-tight. The PO put masonite on the walls and ceiling (poorly), and this weekend I found a whole wall that wasn't insulated behind the hardboard.... Sounds like it's time to buy some batting and drywall, borrow dad's drywall lift, and lure some friends over with beer. The garage will keep it cold :)

I hate to go through the work, but for a few hundred bucks I think it would help sell the house (and make it more comfortable and easier to heat in the meantime).

[Rikugun]

That's probably not a bad investment. Depending on how much insulation is in the ceiling, you may get more bang for the buck by adding some up there if possible.

[RedBaron]

I think step 1 for me is to make my garage more air-tight. The PO put masonite on the walls and ceiling (poorly), and this weekend I found a whole wall that wasn't insulated behind the hardboard.... Sounds like it's time to buy some batting and drywall, borrow dad's drywall lift, and lure some friends over with beer. The garage will keep it cold :)

I hate to go through the work, but for a few hundred bucks I think it would help sell the house (and make it more comfortable and easier to heat in the meantime).

An insulated garage door is a great investment. It makes a huge difference.

[artbone]

Is your garage heated? Mine isn't, and I can't help but wonder if there's a better way to go about this than a propane torpedo heater... I'm tempted to buy a few oil heaters (the electric radiator kind, not a an oil burner) so that there's no open flame. What do you do for those cold winter months?

I could install a gas heater, but I think we're moving in a year or two, so I'd hate to go through the hassle and expense for something that I'll just leave behind. Plus, I hear that the radiant heaters only heat what's in line of sight, which means that the toolbox is warm, but the tools are cold still :)

Just move 200 miles south of the Tropic of Cancer where I live and no problems. My 25 X 55 shop is neither heated or cooled and I never need either.

[YellowJacket!]

I think step 1 for me is to make my garage more air-tight. The PO put masonite on the walls and ceiling (poorly), and this weekend I found a whole wall that wasn't insulated behind the hardboard.... Sounds like it's time to buy some batting and drywall, borrow dad's drywall lift, and lure some friends over with beer. The garage will keep it cold :)

I hate to go through the work, but for a few hundred bucks I think it would help sell the house (and make it more comfortable and easier to heat in the meantime).

An insulated garage door is a great investment. It makes a huge difference.

Made a huge difference in my garage.

David