Heat for my garage

B

bills

Junior Member
I live in NE Ohio, and I want to add heat to my 22x22 garage. I am considering one of those hanging units, but I don't know what size (BTU) would work best. I have a 50,000 BTU in another garage that works and heats fine (3 car), but it is a regular furnace with ductwork and the building is completely finished and insulated.
The 22x22 is only insulated on the roof line (R-19 open rafters), and I was hoping for something simple that wouldn't require all the messing around that installing another furnace would involve.
Anyone have experience on what works for them under similar circumstances?
Thanks!
 
I put in a hanging furnace run by electricity. It kept the garage around 50 degrees. it was simple in that it just required an electrician to hook it up in an hour or two, If I had to do it again I would put in one run on natural gas. In that instance you will need to have a propane tank installed out side the garage according to current code. Tom
 
I have a small unit that will bring the garage from 22% to 55% in about 15min.

It's about 22 x22 and insoulated, Runs on elec which is cheap hear.

This is good only when working in the building, as it has no thermostat.
 
No one has addressed sealing the crack around the garage door. I have a 6' baseboard which emits a lot of heat but I swear it all leaks out around the door.
 
Try a heat pump system....gives you heat in the winter and refrigerated air in the summer.I think they will work in ambients down to -5centigrade.

Another way to go, is what my mate has...he made a log burner for his garage...put a stove pipe up through the roof and burns scrap wood.The only problem is that it's so cosy we just stand around it drinking tea and yacking instead of working.
 
In case anyone is looking back at this old thread, a mini split heat pump will use only about 1/3 the amount of electricity that one of those hanging electric units uses, are pretty cheap to buy, and not difficult to install. As to size, that depends entirely on your sealing and insulation. If well insulated, a 9k btu unit would have no trouble keeping a 22' X 22' garage warm. Those go or about $600. If no insulation, and outside temps go to around 0 degrees, it could require several times that amount of btus. If interior walls and ceiling are finished with wall board, but very little insulation otherwise,. I'd probably use 12k btu unit. You can calculate you heat losses and find the correct size pretty easily, othwise you just need to oversized and hope for the best. I've installed lots of mini splits and love their efficiency, plus you get a/c for free.
 
If you go with the gas, buy a low BTU input unit. If the heater is to large it will cycle off frequently. It is better to leave them run when very cold.
 
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