Garage heaters are a great idea for almost any garage. Not only do they produce enough heat to leave your garage nice & toasty, it can actually be cost effective to do so. Before you buy just any heater, there are a few factors to consider. Read on to learn about what type of heater is the right choice for your garage.
3 MAIN TYPE OF GARAGE HEATERS...
In general, there are three main categories of heaters: forced air; radiant; and natural gas heaters. Pick the one that is best for your garage. Here's a little more info on each type of garage heater.
1) Forced Air Heaters - One of the easiest to install and also the most popular. This heater blows out warm air via a fan that draws in cold air from outside the garage. Typically it runs on electricity to convert the cold air into warm air quickly & evenly heats the space. (Some units will use natural gas or propane). These heaters are flexible to install and can be placed either on the garage wall or installed on the ceiling. Size, fuel & price will vary.
2) Radiant Garage Heaters - Radiant heaters work by heating the area near the heater, without forcing air. It's a gentler heating method but the heater will have to be nearby to work efficiently. These heaters are better for garage shops or people who suffer from allergens, as these heaters won't stir up dust or debris. These units can be mounted or purchased as a portable heater. Radient heaters can be fuled by electricity, natural gas or propane.
3) Natural Gas & Propane Heaters - The benefit of this heater type is they can quickly heat a garage and are typically a cheaper fuel source. Wall-mounted units can be tied into your home's current gas line (providing you have one), making them less expensive to run. Extra care should be taken with these heaters particularly when used in an enclosed space. Proper ventilation is necessary to avoid any carbon dioxide build-up risks. As with anything that involves gas-powered units, you may be required to hire a licensed professional to handle the installation.
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER...
In addition to fuel types, there are a few other factors to consider prior to purchasing a garage heater that is best for you such as:
1) Power - Garage heaters are generally rated in BTU's or watts. BTU is used for propane & natural gas heaters and calculates the thermal output of a heater. Watts are used for electrical heaters and calculates the amount of power needed to run. The higher the watts, the more power the heater provides and the more space it can heat. If you own a smaller garage than a more powerful heater isn't necessary. Size is imporatant here: the size of your garage should play a role in the type of fuel you choose. Smaller spaces may benefit from radiant hearers while larger spaces require more size & power, such as electric or gas.
2) Portable...Or Not? - Decide whether you want a fixed stationary unit or a portable garage heater. If you know you'll want to move the heater around, then a portable & natural gas fueled heater may be the one for you. Otherwise, a fixed heater with the right power & location will be the right choice. More powerful electric heaters will require 240-watts to run instead of the usual 110-watt power input. Hiring an electrician to do the wiring is important for safety & proper installation.
3) Safety Features - Saftey must always be considered. Most heaters come with a safety feature of some kind. Knowing what to look for specifically will help you make an informed decision. With natural gas or propane heaters a tip-over safety feature will turn off the unit if it gets knocked over. On any unit, an overheat protection will automatically shut off the power before the unit overheats. That is very important in an enclosed garage where hot surfaces may risk fires or can cause bodily harm if touched. For electric heaters, any auto-shutoff feature will protect the unit against any dangerous power surges.
7 TOP NOTCH HEATERS IN CANADA
$ = affordable; $$ = fairly affordable; $$$ = middle-ish of the row; $$$$ = getting pricy; $$$$$ = better get a 2nd job lol! high-end expensive
1) Fahrenheat FUH54 240-Volt Garage Heater
Cost: $$$
Fuel Type: electric / forced air
Portable: no - wall mounted only
Garage Size: upwards of 500 sq ft
Safety Features: Has an auto-shutoff in case of tripping or electrical power surges.
2) Mr. Heater F232000 Portable Radiant Garage Heater
Cost: $
Fuel Type: propane
Portable: yes
Garage Size: upwards of 225 sq ft
Safety Features: Low-oxygen feature will shut off the unit if the heater detects too little oxygen in the room to prevent carbon monoxide build-up. A second safety feature is the tip-over auto shut-off, that turns the unit off if the heater is knocked over.
3) Modine HD45AS0111 Natural Gas Hot Dawg Garage Heater
Cost: $$$$$
Fuel Type: natural gas or propane
Portable: no - wall or roof mounted
Garage Size: upwards of 1000 sq ft
Safety Features: Automatically shuts off if a set heat threshold is passed or if the unit produces a flame. It also turns off if any issues with the ventilation come up that may lead to carbon monoxide build-up.
4) King KB2406 Electric Garage Heater
Cost: $$$$
Fuel Type: electric
Portable: no - wall mounted or lower
Garage Size: upwards of 240 - 600 sq ft
Safety Features: Tip-over feature will turn off the unit in case its knocked over. It will automatically turn off in case of a power failure, system malfunction or over-heating.
5) Lasko 675919 Stanley Pro-Ceramic Utility Heater (h4)
Cost: $$
Fuel Type: electric
Portable: yes
Garage Size: upwards of 200 sq ft
Safety Features: The thermal cut off setting will turn the heater off before it overheats.
6) Newair G56 5600 Watt Garage Heater
Cost: $$
Fuel Type: electric
Portable: yes
Garage Size: upward of 560 sq ft
Safety Features: Overheat protection will shut off the heater before it overheats and becomes a fire risk. It also has tip-over protection for floor unit installation to automatically turn it off if the heater is knocked over.
7) Patton PUH680-N-U Milk-House Utility Heater
Cost: $
Fuel Type: electric / forced air
Portable: yes
Garage Size: upwards of 250 sq ft
Safety Features: Tip-over will turn the unit off if it is knocked over for any reason. At the same time, the overheat protection feature automatically shuts it off to prevent fire risks.
WHY INVEST IN A GARAGE HEATER?
Garage heaters are great to have for a whole list of reasons:
- keep warm in your workshop space
- protects your car or motorcycle battery in the winter
- protects your stored appliances or working appliances that you may have in your garage
- a heated garage can help keep your home warmer overall by preventing cold air from seeping into the main house
- heaters are compact, convenient and have safety features that make them a smart investment
When it comes to finding the best garage heater for you, don't think of it as an added cost to your home. Instead, recognize that it is added value with long-term benefits & returns.
I hope you found this information useful and perhaps even inspiring to help encourage you to make small improvemants to your home!
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