Garage heater advice

I use one of these to heat my shop/shed/storage area and have used it to heat a 20x20 uninsulated cement block structure . works nicely I purchased mine at lowes tho
http://www.tractorsupply.com/kerose...ltra-portable-radiant-kerosene-heater-3202994

infrared quartz heater shines heat on the object its pointed at, no fan

I have used a quartz also, it is just like a nice sun beam, and when you walk out from in front of it you know it. Halogen work lights will do a good job of throwing heat as well as light, I have used them to keep warm under a car during the cold months more than once.

Heating a garage with a temporary heat source is never easy. I tried:

Kerosene heater - fumes bothered me.

forced air propane heater - byproduct of combustion is water vapor that condensed onto all my tools and metal surfaces. that sucked.

quartz - if you get the distance correct (not too close, not too far) and if you will stay in the same immediate area then it can work. Would be good for doing something like sitting at a workbench and tying fishing flies or something.

110v electric heater - don't put out enough heat in my opinion.

220v electric heater <-- this was my solution. The electricity doesn't cost that much and not having to fool with fuel added a convenience factor. I found it best to start my heater up an hour or so before I planned to go in there and that was enough to take the edge off the cold. That way I could work in a sweatshirt with a long sleeve t-shirt or longjohns under it and I was fine. This requires 220v which I fortunately had for my welder.

this would heat a one car garage. it can be used on a 30 amp 240 volt circuit. (electric dryer circuit)
and for the money it's more bang for your buck.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395481_200395481

The kerosene/diesel "Salmander" works great but the fumes and noise aren't fun to deal with. It's fine in a semi open area, but I wouldn't run it in a small garage without having a window open.

I had an Empire vent free wall heater (propane -- 30,000 btu) that heated my basement well (had I kept it, i would have gotten the blower attachment for it). My basement, at that time, was 800 sq ft and uninsulated.

I since switched to a wood stove for the basement, (as I changed my home heating system from oil to natural gas -- and I couldn't have two sources of gas coming into the house, by code), and since gave the Empire to my neighbor for his garage. He's having it installed for this winter.

Fod01 said:

Hey Frank - was looking at just that unit......just dont have 240 in the garage (yet)

Gabe

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easy. run a 10/2 romex or 10/3 and a 2 pole 30 amp breaker. and the nema 6-30 outlet and your done.
run a 8/3 out there a 40 amp 2 pole breaker and install a small panel. incase you get a small welder.
that heater is like running 4.5 small 120 volt heaters, so it should do fine.