Anyone using a space heater in their garage?

[GTCobraClone]

Now that we are in the winter months it gets a little harder to work in the garage with the cold temperatures. I rent my house so I cant install a permanent air heater like I would if it was my own but my GF was asking the other night if I wanted anything in particular for Christmas. She said she had been looking around at heaters so I could work in the garage which brings me to my question. Anyone use a space heater they can recommend?

Its a 2 1/2 car garage with cement floor and insulated walls but not the roof.

 

[TheVikingRL]

Electric is a waste of money unless you install a powerful unit, which would likely need to run off of a dedicated circuit. I use this one currently:
Fahrenheat FUH724 240-volt Garage Heater, 3750-7500-watt

Still, it's not cheap to run at full bore in a poorly insulated garage. Probably the easiest (and cheapest) option is to run a propane powered shop heater. The home improvement stores all sell them, usually for under $100. Downside is you can go through 20lb tanks pretty fast when it's really cold out so plan on a bigger tank. You should also have some ventilation when running it even though propane is supposed to burn clean. I used to run the tank outside with a hose under the door. Even then, I'm not sure insurance would cover a claim with this setup if a fire ever occurred.

Avoid kerosene heaters IMO as the fumes can make you really nauseous. Plus it can be difficult to find locally compared to propane.

Good luck!

 

[rotor_powerd]

Torpedo propane heaters work decently well, but they give me a headache without having all the windows open which kind of negates the heating. I have a woodstove in my garage which will run me out of there after running for 30-40 minutes, I cut a piece of drywall to fit an open window and ran the exhaust through the middle of it. Probably not the best option in the eyes of the insurance company but it keeps me warm until I get around to building a new shop that I'll put a mini split in.

 

[limitedex]

Mr buddy heater for me!

 

[ViperRed91GT]

Torpedo style kerosene/diesel heater for me. Usually only takes 5-10 mins of run time, and then I turn it off and work for hours in a garage with non-insulated doors. It does have a smell, though I've heard they make a fuel that doesn't have it.

 

[SweetSVT99]

In my previous house, I used one of these to heat up the garage quick: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Glo...Propane-Portable-Heater-RMC-FA60DGD/202922773

And then one of these to keep it warm (since the torpedo heaters are so loud): http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Glo-18K-BTU-Propane-Cabinet-Gas-Portable-Heater-RA18LPDG/204267430

 

[CobraBob]

Since you're renting the house, I recommend that you check with your landlord first and be sure that using a space heater in the garage is permitted. Or there might be certain types of space heaters not allowed. If you go with propane, you'll want to be sure the supply meets local code. Likely your landlord will want this as well.

 

[SID297]

I use a 1500W heater to take the chill out if I'm going to be working in there. Uses a lot of power but is better than nothing.

 

[HudsonFalcon]

I use the Faranheat unit previously mentioned and i can get my insulated garage over 100 degrees if i put it on its highest setting.

I think the propane units work well if you're just looking for something to take the chill out. I have the Mr. Buddy as well and it does an ok job of briefly warming the non insulated section of my garage.

 

[GTCobraClone]

Thanks for all the advice/opinions. As for the landlord, we recently talked about it when he came by to check on the gutters and he was the one that reccomended I get a space heater. The garage has two vents in the roof, a side door and a window a few feet next to the side door.

 

[SonicDTR]

Standard 110 plugin heater will barely do any good. They're all limited to 1500watts. I used a 80k btu propane heater until recently setting up a 220v electric. The propane worked great, and a 20lb tank lasted ok if I didnt try to keep it 80 degrees.

Latch onto as much cardboard as you can, laying on it on the concrete if you're working on the ground makes a world of difference.

 

[ford fanatic]

I just built a new 30'X40' garage, 12' ceiling and 2X6 construction with insulated bay doors.

I use a 150K BTU torpedo style kerosene heater and it will run you out after 15 minutes.

 

[helldiver14]

In Midwest Ohio currently using the old kerosene reddy heater in the two car garage while rebuilding my buddys Mini. Works like a charm, if I leave it plugged in for longer than 30 minutes, you start sweating bullets.

 

[madscotsman]

I bought 2 (Double Door) insulation kits for my garage door from Lowes (Tax Deduction and $$$ saving), and also got one of those small 1500 watt Infrared, wooden box looking heaters on the floor. It stays well above 70 in my garage when the door stays shut.

 

[SonicDTR]

I bought 2 (Double Door) insulation kits for my garage door from Lowes (Tax Deduction and $$$ saving), and also got one of those small 1500 watt Infrared, wooden box looking heaters on the floor. It stays well above 70 in my garage when the door stays shut.

Where are you? Central Florida? haha, those 1500w heaters barely heat up a room in my house when its 65 inside....

 

[zak88lx]

OP - How cool does your garage get?

Our 20x20 attached garage is insulated and it holds an inside temperature of +4 Celsius (+39F) when it's -25 Celsius (-13F) outside.
Not freezing, but definitely on the cooler side.

I was looking at the electric 1500w oil-filled heaters, but don't know if they would make a noticeable difference in a garage this size, and also concerned about running costs and potential fire hazard.

 

[smitty2919]

I have 2 Car attached garage with drywall walls and ceiling that I assume are insulated. 8ft ceilings and non insulated garage door.

Friend of mine let me borrow a Mr. Heater Big Buddy hooked up to a 20lb tank
I was able to raise the temp 20* (to 68*F) in 1 hour. At which point I figured anything over 60* I'm OK with. It only goes to 18,000 BTU on High. It is decent, quiet, simple and compact. It's nice to be able to bring it with you and run of batteries and 1lb propane tanks if needed. I'm not much of a outdoor guy so I don't see me needing a compact portable unit.

I'm looking into (and most likely will buy) a Home Depot Dyna Glo Delux 30,000 - 60,000 BTU torpedo propane unit. Allows you to direct some heat where you need it. Just keep in mind these style heaters throw out heat so you can't really put anything within 4 ft from the front of it.

My plan is to let it heat for 30min before I go out to do any work and hopefully ride out the heat for couple hours. If I need it again, I will turn it on for 15min or so. It is small/compact and can be put in the basement. 90% of the time I back my wife's car out of the garage and work on mine. Gives me room for the heater and a work space for cutting/welding etc.

I like propane since I already have a 20lb tank for the grill. I have never had good luck with electric space heaters.

 

[ford fanatic]

OP - How cool does your garage get?

Our 20x20 attached garage is insulated and it holds an inside temperature of +4 Celsius (+39F) when it's -25 Celsius (-13F) outside.
Not freezing, but definitely on the cooler side.

I was looking at the electric 1500w oil-filled heaters, but don't know if they would make a noticeable difference in a garage this size, and also concerned about running costs and potential fire hazard.

Don't bother with that oil filled heater, it's way too small for what you need. We just returned one for my mother who was trying to take the chill off her living room during times that the wood stove was not hot. They are good for a small bedroom and that's about it.

 

[GTCobraClone]

Ill try and get some pictures of the garage today, not sure how cold exactly it gets in the garage but enough to start numbing my hands after a while if I'm not wearing gloves.

I was actually talking about this with a coworker last night and he mentioned a ProTemp/Master Kerosene/Diesel heater that he uses and says that it works like a charm. I did some searching last night and looked up some video reviews on YouTube and everybody has been pretty impressed with it. Has anyone tried this one? They also mention that you don't get the strong smell as with other kerosene heaters which would be a plus.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...WBCxQrGKW0zxiJLF7Nu2XFpdQq5JPhKU4gaArNQ8P8HAQ

 

[zak88lx]

Don't bother with that oil filled heater, it's way too small for what you need. We just returned one for my mother who was trying to take the chill off her living room during times that the wood stove was not hot. They are good for a small bedroom and that's about it.

That's what I figured.
Thanks for the heads up.