Grumble Grumble winter - shop heater question

[Keith_M]

I put a passive solar air heater (doesn't use any electric at all) on my workshop (south wall), and on my kitchen south wall. Heats the kitchen to 80F on a sunny winter day when the outdoor temp is around 20F. Heats workshop (not insulated) from 20F to around 65F. Almost exactly like this:

Edit: total cost for parts - $35. (plastic sheeting, 2x4s, air ducts)

Note to Keith M: I'm about to grill hamburgers.

The passive solar is a good idea, and I would love to be able to put something like this in my shop. The design you show in the picture might work, but I'll look at some other designs too.

And I'll be right over for burgers. I'll have a little cheese on mine if you have it.

 

[PAUL161]

I bought the wife a 10 X 20 garden shed, fully insulated and installed one of these. I think it was around 250 bucks. 13000 BTUs.

It'll run you out of the building if left on high with 20 degrees out side. Thermostatically controlled, 240 volts, it works super. PJ

 

[DNK]

Used what Paul showed to dry my mud in my garage when it was being built. One thing about electricity...it is dry

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Do you worry about CO poisoning with a ventless heater like a torpedo heater? If you have a fresh air source I think it would be fine, but in a tightly sealed space I would worry.

Carbon monoxide isn't the only hazard from using an unvented propane heater in an enclosed space, let alone a tightly sealed one. The burning of propane also produces

• carbon dioxide gas which, while generally not considered toxic, can cause drowsiness and loss of concentration at moderate concentrations. It is also heavier than air and settles to floor level where mechanics work under their cars
• nitrogen dioxide, which is a serious upper respiratory irritant even at low concentrations
• large quantities of water vapor which may not be a hazard in a cold dry climate but which can cause rust and mildew if excessive

 

[JPSmit]

JP - are you trying to warm up that whole garage space to "living room temp"? Or just warm you, in the area where you work at the bench?

no, mostly the area around the bench. and, I have a fleece that I wear out there most of the time anyways. That said, it would be nice to have the whole space a little warmer - particularly when crawling under the car (though I can and do aim my small heater) and especially for painting - not bodies, but, for instance will need to undercoat the Viva one of these days - having the room even at 60 would be nicer than 45 and would likely improve adhesion.

What precipitated the whole discussion was the notion that an infrared heater heated 1000 square - so I thought, if I park one in the corner of my 320 square foot garage, it might take the edge off, but, since the general consensus is that it won't do much more than my 1500 square foot ceramic heater, I don't see it being worth the cost.

 

[aeronca65t]

By the way, one of the things that helps me is an old rug on the floor. When we had our wall to wall rugs changed, I saved a few large pieces. Then throw them out when they get too ikky.
I also have a 220V wire element heater (left in this house by the former owner when he worked on his Volvo 1800ES). But I'm not crazy about all those red-hot glowing wires near any flammable fluids or gases so I have never used.

 

[JPSmit]

I do have (one one side) those interlocking rubber squares - they help a lot!

 

[CaptRandy]

Mr Heater Buddy uses a small propane bottle or you can hook it to a tank. Use it in boat cabin in winters.Place it near where you are working.
Also get cardboard boxes size of refrigs, stove etc and coat the floor so you are not directly on concrete.

 

[Gliderman8]

I use an infrared heater that is suspended directly over my workbench in the basement. It looks very much like a florescent fixture and has a thermostat built in. While I'm working at my bench it is nice and toasty; the option of heating the entire basement did not make sense to me. While working in my garage, I use a single head propane heater (like the one shown) which works quite well. The single head heater was $20 bucks at the discount store. I do crack the garage door to introduce fresh air.

 

[CaptRandy]

Also use heavy gauge plastic as a tent to make area smaller.

 

[NutmegCT]

I'm Mr. Cautious ... if you use an overhead electric infrared, be sure your wiring can carry all the current. Most draw much more than 1500 watts, and some use 480v or 220v not 110v.

The infrared on the propane tank works *great*; I've got one too. But you sure need to have fresh air coming in somewhere.

 

[mailbox]

Carbon monoxide isn't the only hazard from using an unvented propane heater in an enclosed space, let alone a tightly sealed one. The burning of propane also produces

• carbon dioxide gas which, while generally not considered toxic, can cause drowsiness and loss of concentration at moderate concentrations. It is also heavier than air and settles to floor level where mechanics work under their cars
• nitrogen dioxide, which is a serious upper respiratory irritant even at low concentrations
• large quantities of water vapor which may not be a hazard in a cold dry climate but which can cause rust and mildew if excessive

I agree with you on your statement, but we are working on vehicles that also emit carbon dioxides, nitrogen dioxides and lots of other little nasties. Heck, just draining the oil out of an engine is considered carcinogenic. Other than having a dedicated heater to warm a shop there's no real easy or good answer.

 

[Gliderman8]

I'm Mr. Cautious ... if you use an overhead electric infrared, be sure your wiring can carry all the current. Most draw much more than 1500 watts, and some use 480v or 220v not 110v.

The infrared on the propane tank works *great*; I've got one too. But you sure need to have fresh air coming in somewhere.

My infrared is definitely 110v Tom; I haven't looked at the wattage.

 

[NutmegCT]

My infrared is definitely 110v Tom; I haven't looked at the wattage.

Elliot - could you post a photo and/or more info on that infrared of yours? I'm getting interested ...

 

[Gliderman8]

Elliot - could you post a photo and/or more info on that infrared of yours? I'm getting interested ...

Here you go Tom.... The heater is no less than 25-30 years old. See the info label, it is 120v, 750 watt.
It's made by TPI Corporation. Once on their site, click on "Heating and Controls" catalog. They offer hundreds of heaters.
You can see from the pics below that I have mine hanging from a chain right next to my fluorescent light both of them being over my work bench.
Hope this helps.

 

[Guest]

Other than having a dedicated heater to warm a shop there's no real easy or good answer.

Move south.....:friendly_wink:

 

[NutmegCT]

Excellent! Catalogue seems to show the lowest wattage is 1800, for 120v. I think I'd need a 20amp dedicated circuit for it - but it might work.

Wish they still had the 750w!

Thanks.
Tom

 

[Gliderman8]

Excellent! Catalogue seems to show the lowest wattage is 1800, for 120v. I think I'd need a 20amp dedicated circuit for it - but it might work.

Wish they still had the 750w!

Thanks.
Tom

Before I posted the pics, I did a search on my model number and also found that they don't make that model any more. I did have two of them but I gave one away since I only needed the one.... wish I had it back!

 

[Gliderman8]

Excellent! Catalogue seems to show the lowest wattage is 1800, for 120v. I think I'd need a 20amp dedicated circuit for it - but it might work.

Wish they still had the 750w!

Thanks.
Tom

Have a look at this one.... it's 1,500 watts

 

[waltesefalcon]

This works well for me.