Heating a shed

[mbrule]

I don't know if this is the best place to post this (mods, feel free to move if not). I would like to call upon the collective wisdom of the group. I have a 12'x 24' shed on my property that I want to heat. I presently use an antique two burner kerosene stove when I am out there and will likely continue to do so. However, now I want to keep it heated all the time (at least above freezing).

I have installed a ceiling (loft) so the ceiling is about 6.5 feet except over the single garage door where it is slightly higher to clear the tracks. I am going to insulate the ceiling, the walls, and the garage door. Leaving the floor, which is plywood with air gap under, I think I am going to put a layer of 3/4 OSB over the entire floor to stiffen it, and provide some (albeit not much) additional insulation.

Now my questions:

Any suggestions on how to insulate the floor? I will be storing a car in the building.

What is a good source of heat? Below are my thoughts:

I am considering electric base board or an electric heater, cheap and easy to install, but might be pricey to run. How many watts would I need?

Natural gas heater. This would likely be the best but would be pricey to install as the gas line would need to be run (and permitted) from my house.

Propane heater. middle of the road between gas and electric as far as install and cost to use, would have to deal with a tank in the front yard of my house.

Oil fired heater, not really an option as I do not want to store any more oil outside. I already have a tank for my garage and it is an expensive double containment tank as I am on a pond. No, it is not close enough to use for the shed too.

Any and all advice appreciated, I will try to get some pictures, I know everybody like them!

 

[sweettractors]

Insulated good, 3000 watts should keep all above freezing. Ken Sweet

 

[dave1949]

For a propane heater, you could use a couple 100 gal. portable tanks that you refill as needed.

Electric I bet would be expensive to run. You have four outside walls and will probably end up with much less than the standard residential level of insulation for walls, ceiling and floor.

For any heater, you may have to search out a low-temp thermostat. 50* is a common lowest setting. You don't need to pay to have it that warm.

You could do your insulating then buy a couple of inexpensive electric 'milk house' style heaters, they cost about $30 for a 1300 watt unit with fan and thermostat that can set very low. See how that goes and make choices from there without having much invested.
Dave.

 

[crusty 1]

I agree with Dave1949.Consider a small wall hung propane heater.You can buy vented or unvented models.We use unvented heaters here in no.mn. to heat fish shanties with no problems.The heaters can be bought fairly cheap and don,t cost that much to run.I,d say a 15-20 th.btu unit on a thermistat would work out well.I,d mount it as low to the floor as you can:thumbsupave

 

[dave1949]

Should have mentioned TSC sells 100 gal. propane tanks. Also wondering if using propane is asking for excess condensation in a cool room without much ventilation? Burning propane produces lots of water vapor and at low heat, you will have surfaces cool enough for condensation to form I am guessing. Something to think about.
Dave.

 

[timswi]

Should have mentioned TSC sells 100 gal. propane tanks. Also wondering if using propane is asking for excess condensation in a cool room without much ventilation? Burning propane produces lots of water vapor and at low heat, you will have surfaces cool enough for condensation to form I am guessing. Something to think about.
Dave.

My thoughts as well..Unvented gas heaters generate a ton of humidity even in moderate temperatures.

 

[Kays Supply]

Another option is a used/takeout furnace. I am a plumbing contractor, I see the HVAC guys take out pretty good LP furnaces and install new ones when the AC goes out. They usually junk them, so if you let some HVAC guys know you are looking, one might come available. You can stop the humidity issue that way.

 

[kenmac]

Run the nat. gas line from your house yourself. It isn't that difficult. Don't know the cost of nat. gas in your area,but around here,it's usually cheaper than propane . check the adds for used furnaces..NOTE,,,, Make sure the combustion chamber is ok b-4 you purchase / install a used furnace

 

[crusty 1]

you guy,s are right about the cond.,fish shanty at -30 is a different situation than an insulated bldg.Dave

 

[Kubota-guy1911]

It it's insulated good electric baseboard won't be that costly. I chose electric so I could paint and use flammable solvents without worrying about an open flame. I got some used 6" thick batts to insulate the attic with, had enough for 2 layers. My side walls are R-13 fiberglass covered with 7/16" osb on the inside. I sheathed the outside with thermax which also helps. I heat a 12 X 16 shed to 50 degrees for less than $20 during the coldest months (below zero). I used (2) 2000 watt baseboards with a 2 stage thermostat and the only time I've seen the second stage come on is when I went in and turned it up to 70 to do some painting. Works good. Another advantage of the baseboards is no air blowing dirt around on my just painted project. Also no fan motors to fail later.

kj