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#1
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Ceiling-mounted natural gas garage heaters: What to look for?
I've finally gotten around to insulating my 2-year old attached garage and
I'm thinking about heating it so that I can work in my shop with a little more comfort. The only three criteria I think I need are side venting (deck is on top of the garage), low profile ceiling mount and the ability to work with a standard setback thermostat. Sealed combustion with it's own outside air supply would probably be a big bonus, although the seal around the insulated garage is probably poor enough that air supply wouldn't be a huge problem. There seem to be plenty of forced-air models that fit this criteria, but is there anything else to choose from or a place with any kind of ratings on reliability? CR doesn't seem to have anything and I'm not really getting a lot of success via Google (although Google groups does have some food for thought). It seems that the "small" models run about 45K BTUs, which seems more than adequate for a 30 degree temperature rise in 4300 cubic feet. I would probably set the thermostat at 45 degrees and only warm the interior to 60 for getting into a warm car at the start of the day and otherwise only warm it to 60 or so for shop work. |
#2
Posted to misc.consumers.house
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Ceiling-mounted natural gas garage heaters: What to look for?
"Howard Beale" wrote in message ... I've finally gotten around to insulating my 2-year old attached garage and I'm thinking about heating it so that I can work in my shop with a little more comfort. The only three criteria I think I need are side venting (deck is on top of the garage), low profile ceiling mount and the ability to work with a standard setback thermostat. Sealed combustion with it's own outside air supply would probably be a big bonus, although the seal around the insulated garage is probably poor enough that air supply wouldn't be a huge problem. There seem to be plenty of forced-air models that fit this criteria, but is there anything else to choose from or a place with any kind of ratings on reliability? CR doesn't seem to have anything and I'm not really getting a lot of success via Google (although Google groups does have some food for thought). It seems that the "small" models run about 45K BTUs, which seems more than adequate for a 30 degree temperature rise in 4300 cubic feet. I would probably set the thermostat at 45 degrees and only warm the interior to 60 for getting into a warm car at the start of the day and otherwise only warm it to 60 or so for shop work. Maybe there are economic reasons that your are thinking of gas heat; but with gas prices going up substantially, have you considered a electrical quartz infrared heating system? I've used one for years and just installed another in the garage of my new house. Three 1500 watt units easily handle my 2-car insulated garage. Advantages a - easy installation (run a 220V electrical line from your CB box, add a thermostat) - no vents, stacks, flames or fumes - instant heat - a lot or a little via switching - system doesn't need to operate if you're not in the area since infrared heats people and things, not air - light output from units is a bonus - also nicely drys paint - units are relatively inexpensive (like a good-quality lighting fixture) - very reliable, the "lamp" lasts many thousands of hours and is easy to replace TKM |
#3
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Ceiling-mounted natural gas garage heaters: What to look for?
"TKM" wrote in message ... Maybe there are economic reasons that your are thinking of gas heat; but with gas prices going up substantially, have you considered a electrical quartz infrared heating system? I've used one for years and just installed another in the garage of my new house. Three 1500 watt units easily handle my 2-car insulated garage. Advantages a Gas has gone up ($1.39 per therm for November), but the same amount of electrical energy (roughly 29kWh) is about $2. I'm not a huge fan of infrared heaters, either. I actually do want to warm the air and the stuff in it, and I think that gas forced air would produce more comfort. That being said, I did spend $150 on a 4000 watt forced-air electric heater to try to heat the smaller part of my workshop. I figure if it works, I might just bail on the gas heater altogether. |
#4
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Ceiling-mounted natural gas garage heaters: What to look for?
"Howard Beale" wrote in
: Why ceiling mounted and forced air? You can get wall mount or standing ventless propane heaters for $100-$500 (depending on size) that are very efficient, and use ceiling fans or box fans (that will also cool in the summer) for circulation. -- http://www.gopchoice.org/ |
#5
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Ceiling-mounted natural gas garage heaters: What to look for?
"Userb3" wrote in message ... "Howard Beale" wrote in : Why ceiling mounted and forced air? You can get wall mount or standing ventless propane heaters for $100-$500 (depending on size) that are very efficient, and use ceiling fans or box fans (that will also cool in the summer) for circulation. Ceiling mounted is pretty much a requirement for space reasons. Most all of the exterior wall space is devoted to storage and a wall-mount unit would be in the way. Ceiling fans won't work due to the fairly low ceiling clearance, and box fans would just add clutter. I looked into portable propane heaters and they just didn't add up; dealing with propane is a hassle, and at least at the 20lb tank size it's about 35% more expensive than electric heat which itself is 25% more expensive than even our outrageous $1.20/therm natural gas. The ceiling mount natural gas heaters appear to be made specifically for hanging in garages, and I like the idea of a permanent heat source that can be attached to a setback thermostat for constant "above freezing" temps and programmable and occasional "comfort warm" temps. At least one (the Reznor) seems to also have a single exhaust/fresh air vent, which solves the combustion gas/air problem as well, in addition to being horizontally ventable (roof is rubber flat membrane with a deck on top), another requirement. I have a 14K BTU electric heater coming tomorrow which should get me by for localized heating in the area I'm working this year, and may actually turn out to be just enough for working that I never bother with a permanent heater. Anyway, the natural gas ceiling mount option just seems to solve all the right problems, except of course the "purchase and install cost" problem. |
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