How Do I Choose The Perfect Electric Garage Heater?

Warming your garage or workshop can be1) Suspend the space heater using the mounting
conveniently accomplished using an electric garagebracket or place on a hard surface. Maintain
heater. A fan forced electric space heater issuggested clearances from walls, ceilings, and
inexpensive to buy, easy to operate, maintenancecombustible materials.
free, and able to heat areas where other heating2) Wire power to the heater or plug it in (special
solutions might be difficult to install, expensive, orpower receptacle is usually required).
impractical.Commonly Asked Questions:
Operating Principle1) How efficient is an electric garage heater?
An electric heater converts electrical energy intoANSWER: Electric heat is 100% efficient because
heat. The heating element inside every electricall the electricity used is converted to heat.
heater is an electrical resistor which works on theHowever, the fossil fuel power plants that
principle of Joule heating: electric current flowinggenerate most electricity are typically only 30 to
through a resistor converts electrical energy into40 percent efficient. Thus even with a 100%
heat energy.efficient electric heater, the amount of fuel
Air is moved past the heating element by anneeded for a given amount of heat is much more
electric fan. This reduces the thermal resistancethan if the fuel was burned in a furnace or boiler
between the heating element and the air, allowingat the building being heated instead of being
heat to be transferred more quickly. The hot airturned into electricity and then turned into heat.
leaves the heater and warms the surrounding2) How do I calculate the heating load for my
area. Heating of a room occurs rapidly, howevergarage or workshop?
operation may be noisy.ANSWER: Call us or use our simple heat load
Benefits of a fan forced electric heater in garagescalculator. Do NOT fall for equipment that is
or workshops:o Simple thermostat control.o Cleanadvertised as will heat up to 400 square feet.
heat, no odor, no by-products of combustion.oHeating a 400 square foot insulated garage in
Quick heating of enclosed spaces.o No open flameFlorida is a lot different then heating a 400 square
to worry about.o High temperature cut-out turnsfoot uninsulated metal garage in Maine. We are
the heater off if it gets too hot.o No messy fuelhappy to run a detailed engineering calculation that
oil or dangerous natural gas to contend with.owill help you pick the perfect heater for your
100% Efficient.o No maintenance.o Very reliable.space.
The only moving part is the easily replaceable3) How do I control an electric space heater?
motor and fan assembly.o Louvers direct warmANSWER: A thermostat cycles the heater to
air where you need it most (available on selectmaintain the desired temperature. Most electric
models).o Durable. Casing is treated for corrosionspace heaters have built-in thermostats. If not,
resistance.o Compact and lightweighto Fast, easyyou will need to install a wall or unit mounted
installation.o Versatile mounting bracket allowsthermostat to tell the heater when to run.
attachment to wall and/or ceiling (available on4) What is the best location in my garage or
select models).o Wide range of sizes available toworkshop to install my electric unit heater?
match your heating load.o Fan only can run in theANSWER: The electric heater in your garage or
Summer to help circulate air (available on selectworkshop should be located in the coldest area,
models).and it should be angled slightly so it blankets warm
Things to consider with a fan forced electricair across the coldest wall.
heater in garages or workshops:o Manufacturers5) What clearances must be maintained?
recommended clearances from walls, ceilings, andANSWER: Requirements vary depending on the
combustible materials must be maintained.o Mustheater, call us or check your heater installation
never be used when flammable gases or particlesinstructions.
are present in the air.o Will not operate during a6) What is the best location to install a thermostat
power failure.o Sound created by fan.o The circuitin my garage or workshop?
feeding the heater must be sufficient to carry theANSWER: A well insulated interior wall is the best
amperage (electricity flow) the heater requires.oplace for the thermostat.
Heater moves air which can kick up dust in yourIf it is located in a cold spot, it will run the heater
garage or workshop.o Fan speed can not bemore then it should. If it is located in an area that
adjusted.receives warm direct sunlight, it will run the heater
Unit Configurations:less then it should.
Electric space heaters are available in hard wired7) What kind of sound can I expect from an
permanently installed or plug-in portableelectric heater?
configurations. A permanently installed heaterANSWER: While sound is created anytime fans
mounts out of the way on a wall or ceiling, while aand motors are used to move air, unit heaters
portable heater is plugged in (special receptacle isare designed to minimize their sound level through
usually required) where heat is needed and placedthe careful selection of motors, fan blades and
on a hard, level surface.the design of the air intake opening. Sound is
Installation Overview:comparable to a box window fan.