Heating garage shop

[Guest]

Hello Everyone!! I am new to this group and just had a question on this early October morning. I recently set up shop in my 2 car garage. I am looking for the best and safest way to heat it. I live in Minnesota and my garage has block walls and I just recently insulated the cieling. Not air tight but close and better than it has ever been. I was gonna get a wood stove to use up all the scrap I have but was told its not safe and the insurance company wont like it. I was gonna use the new corn furance which I've heard alot of good things about and is very efficient but decided against it because I want heat in there all the time and dont want to always feed corn in. Propane, kerosene, elecric, radiant and any open flame are pretty much out of the question. Not realy able to put in heated floor at this point. I'm probaly gonna go with gas furnace. Just wanted to get some input. I've been scrollsawing for about 5 years in the corner of my garage and just recently converted the whole garage into a shop and want to heat it and spend more time out there. I stain now and then and keep most of the dust down to a minimum. I've been told I should have it vented out as not to circulate the shop air through the flame inside furnace. I would appreciate any advice on all options. Also I love to e-mail and talk shop. I recently lost my sweet precious wife to cancer. Its devastating and I still cant believe shes gone.I cry every day but we were very blessed with the most wonderful marriage and I know I will reunite with her in heaven. God is blessing our 3 precious kids and I and I'm very thankful. I am preserving Yvonnes memory in huge ways until I see her agian. I will be home with my kids now full-time until they are out of school. Hope to be able to make money in my shop by then otherwise I'll be going back out on the road trucking. Thats years off though and so for now I will be getting into my woodworking as a hobby alot while my kids are in school. I hope to teach the kids to scrollsaw also. Thats why I am diving into setting up a shop: need to keep busy. and sorry for getting off the subject; just needed to share that. Have a great night!! Marty from Licthfield,MN.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: Heating garage shop

I would suggest one of the ceiling mounted gas fired shop heaters...they put out a lot of heat, the heat is directed down towards the floor (depending on the angle you place it) and I understand they are efficient in both heating and cost to operate..imho (sorry to hear of your loss, but consider the reunion when this life is over! )

[BobD (Archive)]

Re: Heating garage shop

Welcome Marty,

I've heard of all kinds of ways to heat a shop. Some people use wood stoves that they feed scrap wood, but sometime the wood produces toxic fumes if their burned. A gas heater is nice if you already have gas plumbed to the garage, otherwise, you have to hire a plumber to at least check your work if you do it yourself. I've also seen little electric heaters that you place around the shop, and turn them on when you're working on a specific machine. My dad has one and it puts out a lot of heat, but the heat doesn't travel far...I guess the sky's the limit...

I was sorry to hear about your wife. When my son dies three years ago, someone told me that you have to have faith that there's a purpose. I'm not the most religious guy around, but that really helped me.

If there is ever anything I can do, let me know

Bob Duncan
Fox Chapel Publishing.

[randy48]

Re: Heating garage shop

Hi Marty, I'm truely sorry for your loss.

I'm not sure of fuel costs up north, here in Missouri propane is the cheapest for heating. Judging by your comments price may be a considering factor.

Being 2 car garage I'm guessing it's roughly 24x24 and if you're wanting to heat the whole thing full time, I would first talk to one of the local propane companies and ask what their recommendations are for BTU's to heat the garage. Then look around for a used propane furnace less then 10 years old, they will more efficient then anything older then that. You could check with installers in the area, they could probably give you a few leads. Once you get one, have a heating guy install and test it, don't want to take a chance on blowing up your shop! Most propane companies provide a free tank as long as you buy your fuel from them. Also they offer a 'Pre-buy' usually around April, where you buy a certain amount of fuel at a greatly reduced price. This helps them determine how much they need to buy for the following year, saving both you and them money.

Hope this helps. Like I said propane is the cheapest fuel in Missouri, maybe natural gas is up there. Check around for prices. Also check on the cost of electricity for heating, that's even cheaper then natural gas down here!

One more thought, a down draft furnance would be better then an updraft. It blows the heated air out the bottom front instead of out the top (like a furnace insteaded in a basement). You would want this as heat rises and blowing out the top wouldn't do much good but waste alot of heat!

[Sparkplug]

Re: Heating garage shop

Dont know how electricity rates are where you live but I find this 4800 watt construction heater very ecconomical to operate. It is suspended on a couple chains up near the ceiling and is facing on an angle downward. It is thermostatically controlled and fan forced.They usually go on sale for about $50.00 to $60.00 at hardware stores.
Sparky

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Re: Heating garage shop

jsparkplug..that is exactly what I had in mind only I was suggesting gas...because gas is usually cheaper...but for a shop..that style whether gas or elect. I think is best...doesn't waste precious floor and/or wall space!