Garage Heat

[TinyTucky]

I just started insulating my detached garage today, and would eventually like to keep it “heated” in the winter time since my wife’s car and more importantly my boat will be in there. It is approx. 20’x25’x8’. I’ve looked at a few options, and still not sure what I should go with. I have a baseboard heater that will be getting ripped out of my upstairs bathroom in the near future and I considered using that, but not sure of its effectiveness given the size of heater and garage. I also don’t care to run my electric bill super high. I really only need the temp to be around 40°. I’ve looked at smaller wall mounted propane units, portable electric heaters, etc and don’t know which option is most effective at maintaining the temp, safe and not gonna be ridiculously expensive . I’m hoping someone has some input on this. Thanks fellas.

 

["J"]

Insulated well enough to use a candle too heat it.
Make it tight and won’t drop below freezing very often.

 

[Bankfish]

Mini split ductless unit.

 

[giles]

Mini split ductless unit.

This

 

[jagermeister]

I don’t know anything about the mini split units, but I don’t see how you could beat the low cost and efficiency of a ventless wall-mount heater for a space that size. To me that’s a no brainer.

 

[bowhunter1023]

I don’t know anything about the mini split units, but I don’t see how you could beat the low cost and efficiency of a ventless wall-mount heater for a space that size. To me that’s a no brainer.

This. It's a fraction of the cost of a mini split (the quote we got on a mini for ours with heat and AC was over $8K) and it will do the jobs. I have one in my shop and it'll run you out in short order. It may not keep it 72 degrees like a mini split, but it'll cut the chill and make it warm enough to be comfortable for a fraction of the upfront and long term cost.

 

[giles]

We put 2 in my folks house for around $1,500 each. I would put one in my garage if I spent any time in it. Mostly for the AC aspect. But if the price is now $8,000?! Nope

 

[bowhunter1023]

And that's from a friend. I was in at $3-4K, but not double that. Bought an electric heater and a big ass fan for $500 total. We can live with the results.

 

[Bankfish]

Someone's wanting to make a shitpile of money off of you for $8,000. Look online at the prices of them. I put em in for around $3,000, and make good money. I'd have a hard time sleeping charging people $8,000.

 

[giles]

Yeah, we installed them ourselves.

 

[jagermeister]

Even so… A ventless heater is less than $300 and it barely even sips the propane, even when running at peak capacity. If you don’t need AC in the garage, I don’t see the justification behind a mini split unit.

 

[5Cent]

Holy hell, just insulate it and put in a space heater lol. You're only talking 500 sq ft/4000 cubic ft.

(Desired temperature change) x (cubic feet of space) x .133 = BTUs needed per hour.

That's 16,000 btu......Granted, if door will be going up and down you'll want more. The ventless wall heater (I'd recommend vented tho) is spot on. I have used my big buddy to heat our 23×23x13' insulated attached garage a few times. Obviously not meant to run 24/7 but for the day jobs I was doing, it was perfect. Just crack the walk door to help control humidity and cycle some fresh air every now and again.

I'd do a wall mounted heater or if a one and done type person, then throw a Hot Dawg and a 100lb'r and enjoy the winter.

 

["J"]

Add some ceiling fans as well. Especially over where the boat will be parked. Will help dry it out. Open the hatches and the live wells.

 

[Isaacorps]

Like others have suggested, wall mounted propane heater. Ventless will work but I’d go vented for a few bucks more due to condensation. Get a cheap wall stat and you’re in business. That’s the setup we have in our cabin and it’s MORE than sufficient. You’d only have to keep the stat set at slightly above pilot and it would keep it at 40 no problem and use hardly any propane at all. I ran mine for 3 days during gun season set on 70 with nighttime temps in the teens and daytime in the 30s and it didn’t even use a full 20 lb bottle.

 

[Smawgunner2]

I put one of these in because I didn’t want to mess with propane or natural gas. I really didn’t even notice a bump in my electric bill but I did insulate the shit out of my garage. I keep it at 50 degrees.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HS8FZAC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1