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Propane heaters in a Garage

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vping

vping

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Are there any wories to using a Propane heater in a Garage? I've got a bunch to do Tomorrow and it's gonna be 35º. I don't want to die from fumes or anything. I got it from a friend and I do not have instructions. It's a small unit but should help out a little.
 
I'm no expert on this (my disclaimer); but I use an infra-red heater that attaches to the top of my 20lb propane bottle.
It really helps keep the chill off in my 22ftx24ft detached garage. I've never had any problems with it and I've checked it with a CO device to make sure its not putting out carbon monoxide.
I believe the main issue is providing a fresh air source since that is what the heater is burning. You should find a way of providing about 1ft2 opening, I just crack the man door slightly open.
 
There are some high tech electrics out there now and their a lot safer than non vented gas. Especially the ceramics. It seems like the operating cost gap between gas and electric is closing. Wire up a 240 volt unit with a blower, hang it from the rafters and it will keep a two car garage nice and toasty.
 
It depends on the size of the garage, and whether the heater is designed to be used vented or not.

If it is freestanding then venting probably isn't required.

If you have a decent sized (2 car+) garage, then you ought to be ok. If it's smaller than that I'd crack a door a little to let a small amount of fresh air in.

Remember this is mho only. The advice is worth what you paid for it...
 
Needless to say, NO FLAMMABLES should be used when heater is on.
 
TR6oldtimer said:
Needless to say, NO FLAMMABLES should be used when heater is on.
Click to expand...

The garage is 22x24 detached & there is plywood in the attic but no finished ceiling so I've got ventilation. I'll be laying on the floor and don't want anything collecting on the floor and knocking me out.

Ohh and I'm installing the gas tank hooking up the gas lines and finally firing her up. I guess I picked the coldest day coupled with the most flammable project.
 
Then I reckon you'll be ok. I used a kerosene heater in a garage that size with no problems for a couple of years.

As an example - I have a wall mounted non-vented LPG (external tank) heater in the garage now. It's 30k btu and according to the specs on it my 26x31x8 garage is big enough to handle 3 of them without additional ventilation.

<edit> I'd be more worried about fumes from the running car. When I fire mine up I have to open the doors, because it doen't half stink up the place if I don't...
 
Use both from time to time - kerosene & propane - as they're easyier than cranking up the heat pump....right now I have 80,000BTU propane Reddy Heater in the workshop...never any problems
 
vping - I have a propane "salamander style" heater for my garage. 80k BTUs It throws out plenty of heat for a 3-car garage but requires venting. I crack each door a couple of inches. Be careful and do NOT keep the door closed. I run it about 30 mins to take the edge off then shut it down for awhile. These things spew HUGE amounts of hyrdocarbs. I have a 40lb RV cyl firing mine; I can get the garage hot enought to work in a Tshirt, but it makes my eyes water from the fumes.
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I have a 40lb RV cyl firing mine[/QUOTE]
Good idea, Scott....off to my local RV dealership!
One of the reason I switched from my 'salamander'type heater was the venting....my new heater doesn't require any special venting requirements.
 
I use a natural gas infrared hanging above the bench. It's about 8 feet long and it keeps the garage toasty and the top of my head. have to wear a hat if I'm at the bench too long
 
I use one of these 105,000 BTU Kerosene Forced-Air Heater in my large shop up north 30x50 we use Diesel fuel just crack the door open. Takes the temp up really fast with no bad smells.
Mark
 

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DNK said:
I use a natural gas infrared hanging above the bench. It's about 8 feet long and it keeps the garage toasty and the top of my head. have to wear a hat if I'm at the bench too long
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Tell Me More :smile:

(that's the tagline/slogan of my employer ... https://www.airproducts.com )

Cost? Complexity of install? I have gas alreadly plumbed to garage /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
I used to use a kerosene heater, but besides the smell, it always seemed to get in the way. My garage is only 15x24, so floor space is at a premium. I finally got an electric heater from Grainger. It heats up as fast as the kero heater, and is less of a problem. I figured out that it costs about 80 cents an hour to run it here on Long Island (0.18KWH). When the garage gets to temp, it cycles on and off about half the time, so costs go down. This electric heater isn't costing much more to run then the kerosene heater. The only drawback is the fan is noisy. I've got it sitting on a wooden shelf right now that transmits the sound. I'll hang it somewhere to eliminate that problem.
 
That is *cool*. Need to engineer some venting; might be a challenge for me, as I have a room over the garage. Can you PM me an approximate cost for the unit you have?
 
I've been using an LP catalytic heater for several years. As with most combustion devices, always be sure you've got some source of fresh air coming in; I just crack the door an inch.

Never had a problems, altho' I don't work with gasoline vapor in the air.

Tom
 
A couple months ago a grandmother, grandfather, and two grandchildren were attending a horse show here in Madison. It was chilly and they had a propane heater in the trailer, had used it several times. In the morning they were all found dead.

A couple years ago a plumber was working on a new house not far from us and was using a propane heater. He used it often, he died.

Be careful.
 
Scott_Hower said:
That is *cool*. Need to engineer some venting; might be a challenge for me, as I have a room over the garage. Can you PM me an approximate cost for the unit you have?
Click to expand...

Who?
 
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