shop heat

[buck12]

I'm looking for suggestions/input as to heat for a workshop. The shop is 24' x 28' and well insulated including an insulated garage door. I use the shop a couple hours a night a couple of times a week and usually a few hours on the weekend. I'm in North MS so temps in the 20's - 30's are our normal lows with occasional teens and seldom single digits. I was considering one of the electric edenpure heaters (about $400), a cheap walmart electric heater ($70), or maybe a propane heater ($?) using a small tank. Any input would be appreciated. By the way this a tractor related project because the tractor is kept and serviced in the shop.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would go with a unit heater on propane, about 35,000 to 50,000 btu size. These are fan forced air heaters that are hung from the ceiling. I am assuming your tractor is diesel though. You need to be very careful how you heat a garage because of the potential for vapor combustion.

 

[AHNC]

Rinnai ES38. Direct Vent, sealed combustion, modulating gas valve (10,500-38,000 btu@ 81% eff)and blower. Simple install with only a 3" hole thru the wall for the vent. I have one in my two car under garage with uninsulated block walls. At 0 deg F outside I can go down and turn it on, go have breakfast and be working in my shirtsleeves all day. Quiet too, which a unit heater is not. I have mine so it blows across the garage doors. I can tell you that a couple winters ago I restored an old BMW and with the car up on jack stands, it was nice having that heat coming across the floor while I was on the creeper putting in new floor pans.

Now...a proper disclaimer. I have to acknowledge my bias. I have represented Rinnai in New England for 20 years. I've been in the heating business for 45 years. I heat both my homes with these units and have sold 135,000 of them. My central boiler is now my back-up and my Energysaver has become my primary heat. They are the best heating appliance I've used and recommend them to everyone...even my sister, and if you knew, well...anyway. They are not inexpensive, but those that I sold in the early 90's are still going strong, so you get what you pay for.

Check them out at Tankless Water Heater, Tankless Water Heaters, Energy Star Water Heater - Rinnai

 

[MikeD74T]

Forced hot air furnaces from mobile homes make great garage heaters because they blow air down & out the bottom. Set it on a couple of cement blocks - no ductwork needed. Available in oil or gas fired. MikeD74T

 

[Mark_in_NH]

AHNC,
Approximatly, how much does an ES38 cost ? I understand there are alot of variables to the answer. Assuming the house already has a source of propane.
Just a ballpark / average / in the general vicinity kind of $$ figure

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Forced hot air furnaces from mobile homes make great garage heaters because they blow air down & out the bottom. Set it on a couple of cement blocks - no ductwork needed. Available in oil or gas fired. MikeD74T

Yup ! I can sure agree with that. Those Miller mobile home furnaces are the greatest and can usually be picked up used, quite reasonably.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Modine Hot Dawg heater... 60K btu. Install a propane tank and you're good to go.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

The Mr. Heater models that mount directly to the top of a 20 lb cylinder are a good choice for portable directable radiant heat. Run times are good, 30 - 50 hours on the single head model.

If you need additional light, a $26 1000 watt halogen work light is a good supplement.

 

[Zick]

AHNC,
Approximatly, how much does an ES38 cost ? I understand there are alot of variables to the answer. Assuming the house already has a source of propane.
Just a ballpark / average / in the general vicinity kind of $$ figure

Just a quick google of those shows them in the $1500-$1800 range. Kind of pricey IMO.

The Hog Dawg heaters are pretty nice and priced reasonably.
Mr. Heater Propane Garage Heater — 45,000 BTU, Model# MHU45LP | Heaters | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Just a quick google of those shows them in the $1500-$1800 range. Kind of pricey IMO.

The Hog Dawg heaters are pretty nice and priced reasonably.
Mr. Heater Propane Garage Heater 45,000 BTU, Model# MHU45LP | Heaters | Northern Tool + Equipment

Yes, that is indeed alot of money to invest in a garage heater, especially when it would only be needed occasionally. I think I would prefer to find one of the used mobile home furnaces for a few hundred bucks.