| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | If a gas heater is what you're after, you have a |
| Choosing the right permanent heater for your | | | | bunch of options. Forced air heaters, or "unit" |
| garage or small shop can be a daunting task, | | | | heaters, are very common. They heat up quickly |
| given the fact that there are so many options | | | | and are generally more energy efficient than |
| now available. So How do I choose just the right | | | | electric unit heaters (comparing BTU for BTU). |
| garage heater for my space? To help narrow | | | | Choose from brands such as Enerco, Modine and |
| down the choices, ask yourself the following | | | | Reznor. |
| questions. | | | | For gas radiant heat, Enerco and Superior Radiant |
| 1) Do I have a gas line available or easily | | | | are two excellent brands that offer residential |
| accessible? What about adequate gas pressure? | | | | approved gas infra-red radiant tube heaters. Unlike |
| 2) If there is no gas, do I have 240V electrical | | | | forced air heaters, radiant tube heaters offer the |
| power available or easily accessible? | | | | benefit of increased creature comfort, a lot less |
| 3) What are the energy costs of gas versus | | | | noise and higher energy efficiency. They are a bit |
| electric in my area? | | | | more expensive initially, but they can pay |
| 4) Do I want forced air or radiant? | | | | themselves back in a very short time. For the |
| 5) Is my garage insulated? | | | | budget minded, Enerco offers the HeatStar H25N |
| 6) What is the ceiling height? | | | | (Nat. Gas) or H22L (LP Gas) vent free high |
| 7) Is there adequate clearance at the ceiling or on | | | | intensity infra-red heater. This heater is designed |
| the wall to mount the heater? | | | | to heat 550 sq. feet or more, depending on |
| 8) What is my budget? | | | | insulation. It comes with wall mounting bracket, |
| 9) How big is my garage? | | | | thermostat and thermostat wire and operates on |
| 10) Will the heater I choose require installation by | | | | a millivolt control, so it requires no electricty. Just |
| a heating professional or can I do it myself? | | | | hang the heater, connect the thermostat, run the |
| 11) Will I set the thermostat to keep the garage | | | | gas line and you're done. Total installation cost can |
| comfortable 24/7 or will I use the heater for only | | | | be as little as $500.00. The H25N/H22L is one of |
| short periods? | | | | the most popular garage heaters in North |
| First, if no gas line available or there is no practical | | | | America. |
| way to get gas to the garage space, your | | | | Other options for heating the garage include wall |
| selection process just became a lot easier. That's | | | | mounted infra-red radiant and forced air heaters. |
| because your only choice is an electric heater and | | | | For options, consider Rinnai, a manufacturer of |
| there are only a few good options. There are | | | | residential vent free radiant heaters, forced air |
| several electric heater manufacturers to choose | | | | vent free heaters and vented wall heaters. While |
| from including Chromalox, Qmark and Fostoria | | | | designed primarily for the dwelling space of the |
| (TPI). These brands offer reliable forced air | | | | home, these heaters are excellent for garages, |
| models suitable for residential and commercial | | | | small shops, greenhouses, out butildings, cabins |
| heating. These eletcric space heaters are normally | | | | and more. When installed in garages, we |
| suspended from the ceiling or side wall with | | | | recommend mounting them at least 2 feet off |
| optional mounting brackets. | | | | the floor, which should meet or exceed local |
| Most two or three car garages require between | | | | codes in most areas of the U.S. |
| 25,000 and 35,000 BTU's. An electric heater with | | | | As for heater sizing, keep in mind that it can cost |
| a rating of 10.0 KW is about right (Note: to | | | | 80 to 90 percent more to heat an uninsulated |
| convert watts into BTU's, multiply the total watts | | | | garage compared to one that is well insulated. If |
| - in this case 10,000 watts, by 3.413). Remember, | | | | you intend on maintaing a comfortable |
| electric heaters draw a lot of amps and usally | | | | termperature inside the garage during the cold |
| require a dedicated circuit from the electrical panel. | | | | months, insulating is a must. Some homeowners |
| Older, smaller homes sometimes have panels that | | | | may simply want to take the chill off when tooling |
| are too small to expand and are unable to | | | | around for short periods of time near a |
| accomodate the power requirements of a high | | | | workbench or other spat within the garage. In |
| amp heater. Check with your electrician to help | | | | such cases, insulation is not as critical. If insulation |
| determine if your panel is adequate. A panel | | | | is poor, we recommend choosing a heater that is |
| upgrade may be necessary. | | | | not forced air. In other words, choose an infra-red |
| In most areas of the united states, the cost of | | | | radiant heater, which produces no drafts and |
| electricity is higher than the cost of gas. Even so, | | | | standing beneath it feels just like standing in the |
| electric heaters do offer advantages. First, Electric | | | | sun. |
| heaters require no flue. If you are concerned | | | | Whatever you do, DO NOT skiimp on safety. The |
| about running a new flue through your roof or | | | | above mentioned heaters are designed to mount |
| side wall, an electric heater suspended from the | | | | safely from the ceiling or high up on the wall. |
| wall or ceiling may be the answer. Second, electric | | | | Many homeowners choose to use portable |
| heaters are quieter than gas forced air heaters | | | | propane or kerosene heaters located at the floor |
| and produce little vibration. A common concern | | | | level to heat their garages. These heaters are |
| with forced air is that they are noisier and can | | | | unsafe around children and pets. In addition, |
| transfer vibration through the structure of the | | | | gasoline and other flammables stored at ground |
| house. | | | | level could be easily ignited in the presence of a |
| Gas forced air heaters do require 120V power, in | | | | spill. Spending a few dollars more for a permanent |
| addition to the gas line, yet the electrical draw is | | | | heater that is high and out of reach is worth that |
| much, much less than with an all electric heater. | | | | extra cost. Always use a residential garage |
| What about energy consumption? Costs of gas | | | | approved heating appliance, especially for attached |
| verus electric varies all across North America. | | | | garages. Check local codes and use a qualified |
| Your local utilities can help you figure out cost | | | | licensed heating professional for installation. Doing it |
| differences. That said, natural gas heaters have | | | | the right way will add value to your home and |
| always been much cheaper to operate. Propane | | | | give you peace of mind. |
| fired heaters can cost a bit more to run. | | | | |