"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