Portable Shop Heaters.....

[hammersley]

A friend of mine wants to get a portable heater that can keep the area warm, here in Portland,,so not really ccold... . but also wants to not be just a small 1500 watt space heater... . he wants it to be able to heat a 400 sq ft garage - and even with the door open... . obviously not as warm,,,,but still some fair amount of heat, Now don't ask me why..... but this was his question. Now he'll probably have to compromise... . but what is out there - propane---oil etc???

 

[Wiredawg]

Kerosene heaters are good and put out good heat.

 

[Hoefler]

A infra-red propane heater will work very well in the situation you have described above. I have used one outside shielded from the wind with very good success. Infra-red heats objects not the air. Wear dark clothing to enhance heat absorption.

 

[CDonaldson]

I have one of those bullet-type kerosene heaters that uses 110v for the blower, I run ULSD fuel in mine, burns cleaner than kerosene. I forget the btu's of mine, but I have heated a good-sized garage with one of the doors open and it's plenty warm.





CD

 

[georgej]

I have a ceiling mounted electric radiant heater and similar to the propane radiant heater it heats the objects it is directed at. You won't be heating the great outdoors.

 

[ScottLewis]

I searched the net and bought a 220 volt portable heater that does a good job of heating my 660 sq ft shop but I don't know if it would keep up with the door open.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

In the place I'm living at for the next few years my border collies aren't allowed inside. So I set up a place in the corner of the shop with several infra-red heaters that I put on automatic timers. It is a tall metal shop that is uninsulated so heating with conventional heating would have been expensive and unfeasible. As noted before the infrared radiant heater heat the objects and not the air. All the timers and heaters were ebay purchases.



I picked up a HotZone 220v 3000 unit off ebay for $40. I have this on a twenty foot 10/3 cord so I can move it around and use it as a heat source for when I'm working in the shop during the winter. This is the big gun for the cold nights. I have it timed to come on at 2200 and turn off at 0800.



Then I have a fostoria 750 quartz heater mounted over the dog beds that is timed for 1700 to 2200 and from 0800 to 1200. This is dusk and until the sun gets some legs.



I also have a couple of ceramic infrared emitters that are reptile heaters or brooder lamps mounted near the beds that run from 0800 until 2000 to give that personal touch. Usually they are outside during the day time anyway. They have several beds to choose from depending on how BTUs they want to experience.



As the weather heads toward spring I will adjust the timers accordingly. After all the solstice has ARRIVED Oo.



I know, too much information, and probably not applicable. Main point is infrared radiant heat and timers can be a good option if you have no desire to heat the great outdoors via your shop or garage.

 

[Skydiver]

The cheapest way I know of to heat a shop, besides cutting your on wood is Propane.

Guys, do not use any 5 gallon propane tank inside a building. As a Volunteer firefighter we just had a fire at a automotive business that had 2, 5 gallon propane tanks inside. Luckly the pressure blow off valve kept them from exploding. If you do use propane, remember that gasoline is not flammable, but the vapors will explode.

I would recommend a 100-250 gallon propane tank. That way you can buy the propane in the summer when rates are much lower. I have a 500 gallon tank and a prepay agreement.

If you run a 1500 watt 110 volt heater keep check on the plugs for heat build up. I have seen these electric heaters damage breakers as well. Same goes for electric dryer plugs. A bad dryer receptacle, lint and a pair of socks is a prime target for a fire. Been there and put out those fires as well.