VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Shop Question

Hey Guys!

I need some help, as many of you now I built a shop a couple of years ago and need to now get some type of heat in it. Can anyone give some advice on how you heat your shops? I've looked at Gas Furnaces, Heat pumps and hanging gas heaters.

Thanks,
Bruce

Without knowing the details such as your climate, insulation in the building or size, I can only guess, but i would not want something that takes up valuable floor space. Ceiling mounted heaters are probably the best. I suspect natural gas is the cheapest. It is here. A few friends of mine have installed ceiling mounted units and love them. Other things to consider is whether or not open flames are an issue due to solvents being used or if you plan on doing some painting, etc.

In my 40x40 shop I use a forced air propane heater it use outside air for combustion and exhaust both are PVC pipes and it can be converted to use natural gas if it is available.

some cheap ideas would be build a waste oil heater or go to a old chicken farm and they normally have piles of old hanging brooder heaters they will give away if you ask you mite have to use parts form to to make one good heater but two to four of them would heat even a cold climate shop up quick

I heat my 24x22 foot double garage with an overhead gas heater using a low temp thermostat set at 40 degrees. Cost for heat for the house and garage is nearly the same as my neighbor who has a larger home but of the same footage as I have with house and garage combined. If I have a project I turn the hear up to about 60 and leave it there until done. Weather can be in the -20 degrees F.

I installed this Dayton electric heater in my garage 2 years ago, and have been very satisfied.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/Electric-Utility-Heater/productinfo/HT-UTIL/

It is inexpensive, but does a great job for me without sending my utility bill into orbit.

Wally

I am adding on to my shop and redoing the heat and air system. I presently have a wall mounted heat pump system that is ok for a 24x32 insulated space. The operating cost during the winter adds about $15 per month, using it about 12 days per month. I've been generally pleased with that system, except when temperatues drop below 20 degrees and we have ice or snow cover.
Now because of the doubled spaced I am considering changing to a lightly used gas HVAC system. A car buddy and HVAC contractor has installed these used systems in several shops, including his own, with good results. The thinking has been that the used systems can be "recycled" for lighter use than a residence would demand without incurring the expense of a new system. I've seen used systems selling for about half or less than new. Any thoughts?
Thanks, 37Blue

If you are mostly concerned about heat I think that gas is the way to go. Heat pumps seem to not do very well below 25 degrees F, and most of the all electric models have to rely on expensive resistor heat in really cold weather. I would consider using the window heat pump in the summer for cooling and turn on the gas heat for the cold weather, you already have the heat pump, unless you trade it in. $15 a month for a heat pump in OK seems about right to me, do you already have gas in your house? I don't have natural gas in my place and we use a propane gas log in the bedroom fireplace for really cold days and night supplemental heat, and it is less expensive than a $300 winter electric bill. useing the propane for night time heat reduced the electric bill about $90 per month, when the hot summer months electricity runs less than $200. I use about $150 worth of propane in a whole year.

I use an overhead natural gas forced air heater in my 40x40 garage in Ontario Canada where believe me it gets COLD.When it comes on it raises the temp very quickly and doesn't waste much fuel and doesn't leave cold areas like convectional heaters do.There are many reasonably priced gas heaters available but my insurance regulations demand a SEALED COMBUSTION CHAMBER or my insurance is void so be careful.The stack is double walled,drawing outside air for combustion,and exhausting the fumes.You also don't worry if a fuel supply truck can get through a snowbank to resupply you.Hope this helps.

I have a 100 lb propane bottle with a double head heater. I move it to where I'm working and don't have to heat the whole garage.

Actually, heat pumps start to lose their efficiency below 40 degrees.

I have a 40'x60' garage with two heat pumps. Both do an extremely nice job in heating the garage, but in this area it is costly.

Will you be keeping the heat on the entire season or only when working on your vehicles? I have a Monitor kerosene heater that is older but still works well. Its programable so I can adjust the time of operation or leave it at a low of 40 deg. or crank it up when needed.I think if I had to replace it I would do as many have suggested, go with a gas fired unit.It cost me about $150.00 to heat my 24x28 garage this past winter in N.H., but it was a mild winter.

Yeah I knew that......I just wanted to cut them heat pump freaks and tree huggers some slack , just to please Albert Gore, You never know when he may want to hang out here and make an example out of us ,old gas guzzler old timey car, folks!

Thanks for the thoughts and info.

The heat pump was turned on during the day. It typically took about 30 minutes to bring the shop temperature up to a comfortable level for me anyway; the low 50's. It was less than adequate with outdoor temperatures less than about 25 degrees. I initally went with a heat pump/AC combination unit because at the time it fit my needs. It worked for the old shop size (24x32). Electricity (220v) was available and I could avoid running a gas line some 360 feet from the meter and road. The unit cost was less than an HVAC unit and installation. At the time I was unaware of the "used HVAC unit" option. Propane is/was an option, but getting a refueling tanker in and out without making more work with landscaping and the related maintenance is (was) something I prefer to avoid.
I have not decided if I'll keep the heat pump combo unit yet. By itself I am certain it will not provide adequate heating and/or cooling for a doubling in space size.
37Blue

For my 34'X36' shop I have a small wood stove and a knipco heater. About an hour before I use the shop I start a fire and then when I start I turn the knipco on to raise the temp to around 70 degrees and leave the thermostat at about 68. Unless it's really cold and windy, the knipco doesn't kick in very often after that. The only thing bad about not keeping it heated at all times is that it does feel damp in there at some times. Also a nice place for the grandkids to go into to warm up if they are snowmobiling or playing out side or playing the piano in the shop. I do have plenty of wood and the insurance isn't any higher because I use wood for the house. I do have a chance to get a real heavy duty wood stove from a house we bought where I work and are tearing down. Cast iron and brick so it weights a lot.
This is the wood pile the kids and grandkids put up for me one Saturday last fall. I had the logs in a pile and they cut, split, hauled home and filled the basement plus this pile.

Ok Jerry...what is a Knipco heater

Actually, mine is a Lawn Boy heater but Knipco made the heater years ago so I still call them all that.

My heater & Golf Cart my kids got me.