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Heated garages

shotgunred

shotgunred

TEAM LOGAN
Location
Magna
I am looking at different ways of heating my garage and I was wondering what methods you guys/gals use and what seems to be the most efficient and effective? I have been watching KSL and Craigslist for an old wood burning stove but I am not sure that’s the way I want to go due to not being able to burn most days.

Do you need a permit or inspection to put a wood burning stove in your home/shop or even running a new gas line to the garage for that matter? Thanks for the feed back.
 
BCGPER

BCGPER

Starting Another Thread
Location
Sunny Arizona
I'm out enjoying my toasty garage right now. :D

I use a hanging, natural gas, forced air heater. Instant heat, and you can use it even durring red burn days. I've used wood in the past. It's not bad if you're out there 8 hours a day, but it takes forever to heat up. Another drawback of the wood is using flamable chemicals in your garage. I can still heat mine up, then shut it down to paint or whatever.

Normally, I just simply turn on the thermostat, and go back in the house for a cup of coffee. By the time my cup is gone, the garage is ready. Also, I haven't noticed any real difference in my gas bill, maybe $10 a month. Probably the worst part is running the gas line. I had a brain fart, and forgot to run one in from my basement before I finished it. I had to run a new line from the meter, around the house, and into the garage and wrapped black iron pipe aint cheap! If you have easy access to gas, it'll save you a bundle.

And yes, legally, you need a permit to install any heating appliance. If you're into causing yourself a lot of hassles, I highly recomend you get one.... ;)
 
wally

wally

Registered User
Location
Watauga, Texas (wish I was back in Utah)
RockMonkey said:
My garage is currently 63 degrees. I can install a gas heater like BC's 14' directly above my water heater, so running the line won't be too tough. For now I'm using a 230 volt electric heater.

This one, in fact:
http://www2.northerntool.com/product/595.htm
Click to expand...

So what is the hottest you can get your garage during the winter? I would like a heater like you have. I was also thinking of the gas idea but I think it would be easier to have the elec since I have a box right on the side of the garage.
 
shotgunred

shotgunred

TEAM LOGAN
Location
Magna
RockMonkey said:
My garage is currently 63 degrees. I can install a gas heater like BC's 14' directly above my water heater, so running the line won't be too tough. For now I'm using a 230 volt electric heater.

This one, in fact:
http://www2.northerntool.com/product/595.htm
Click to expand...

What size is your garage? How is the durability of the heater, does it seem to be over worked (running non stop)? Do you have your over head door insulated and What do folks use to insulated over head doors?
 
shotgunred

shotgunred

TEAM LOGAN
Location
Magna
I did a search on heated garages before I started the thread and I didnt get any results. Sorry about that fella's. It must be time for bed :eek:
 
JeeperG

JeeperG

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverdale
Speaking of heated garages, my brother just built this one, comes with full heating/ac, two car lifts, studio apartment upstairs. :greg: This is the only pic I have of it though, it is close to finished now.

2997880398_ORIG.jpg
 
JeeperG

JeeperG

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverdale
shotgunred said:
What else does a man need? If that sits in the middle of 10 acres, he has it as good as it gets.
Click to expand...
It's still not big enough IMO, that is the biggest Layton City would let him build, he has the 72 duster and 40 ford in there and it's full. :-\ But one of the lifts has big casters on it so he can wheel it out if needed. :greg:
 
shotgunred

shotgunred

TEAM LOGAN
Location
Magna
I wish I had room on my lot to build something like that. I would go out of my way to piss off the wifey and get sent to the dog house.
 
RockMonkey

RockMonkey

Suddenly Enthusiastic
wally said:
So what is the hottest you can get your garage during the winter? I would like a heater like you have. I was also thinking of the gas idea but I think it would be easier to have the elec since I have a box right on the side of the garage.
Click to expand...

I don't really know. It's a new house and last winter I didn't have the shop really set up yet. I didn't do much in the garage. I turned the heater off today at 65 because I didn't want it any hotter.

shotgunred said:
What size is your garage? How is the durability of the heater, does it seem to be over worked (running non stop)? Do you have your over head door insulated and What do folks use to insulated over head doors?
Click to expand...

The garage is 1400 square feet. It's an L shape and we park three cars in the front, and then the back section is 25x25 feet and that's the "shop" section. The overhead doors are insulated, as are the walls and about 50% of the ceiling. As soon as I get all the lights up I will insulate the rest. It's fully sheetrocked so that helps too. The electric heater doesn't have a traditional thermostat (I might wire one up though). It has a dial that goes LOW 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HIGH. I've leave it on 1 during the winter and that turns the heater on only a couple minutes per hour, but it keeps the garage above 50 degrees. When I want to work I turn it to high and after an hour or two it's in the 60s. I've been very impressed that is can heat that garage up as well as it does. A gas heater would be more efficient though.
 
shotgunred

shotgunred

TEAM LOGAN
Location
Magna
1400 square feet:eek:, I think you have achieved pimp status. :greg:

I have one more question that concerns my lighting. A friend of mine installed some florescent lighting in my garage when I bought my home about 5 years ago. I inherited them from an elementary school after his electrical crew did an upgrade on the building. There is a total of four fixtures and each is a 4 bulbs setup (standard commercial interior fixtures). They worked great for a year or two but these days they seem to have their own agenda, especially in the winter cold. Today I had three lights working but yesterday I had one. When it’s 80 degrees out side I may be fortunate enough to have all four.

Does anybody else have this problem? Are these types of lights used in cold conditions? Do I need to insulate them or is something else going on like failing internal components due to their age.

Also, it’s not just a bulb not working, it’s the whole fixture.
 
BCGPER

BCGPER

Starting Another Thread
Location
Sunny Arizona
One thing to consider with electric heat is the cost of operation. For example. RM's electric heater will cost around $2.50/day to operate if he only runs it 8 hours a day. Doesn't sound like much, but it can add up in a hurry.

As far as your lighting goes, floresent lights hate the cold. A heater will help these start much easier.
 
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