Natural Gas Shop Heater Reccomendations

[Highpsi]

So the wife and I recently moved into a new home with a garage about twice the size of the one I had before. (Translate = WINNING!)

Its a 3 car garage, so I will need some pretty decent heat for those cold central Wisconsin winters. I'd like to go with a natural gas unit as these are the best from what I've heard. (The garage is insulated and drywalled too).

I'll be standing by for some good recommendations from the brotherhood!

I'll try to get up some pics soon...

 

[ashman]

here is mine:

I can get you more specific info on it if you want, but I just grabbed it used off of a local classifieds website. It came out of a shop that was being torn down and I picked it up for $50. Works fantastic and is way quieter than I expected. With it being externally vented it doesn't fill the garage with fumes like a propane heater would either.

The install was pretty simple as well. The only problem I had was a plugged up pilot tube but that was an easy fix once I realized the problem.

 

[sweetk30]

last fall we got a modine hot dawg unit @ 75k btu and it keeps the shop more than warm at 68-72 and its close to a 100 year old building of brick and stone with single pane windows sealed with foam board and goo layer of insulation on the false roof before the tin roof.

its about 2ftwide and 16-18" tall and about the same deep . its small and heat's real good.

 

[Highpsi]

here is mine:

I can get you more specific info on it if you want, but I just grabbed it used off of a local classifieds website. It came out of a shop that was being torn down and I picked it up for $50. Works fantastic and is way quieter than I expected. With it being externally vented it doesn't fill the garage with fumes like a propane heater would either.

The install was pretty simple as well. The only problem I had was a plugged up pilot tube but that was an easy fix once I realized the problem.

That's a lot like some of the ones I've seen and am interested in but I have a few questions. I definitely want to go with external venting too - those new style heaters with no exhaust vent require you to provide venting (open a window!) so what's the point!?

- Do the open flames worry you in a shop environment with an area that will constantly be exposed to flammable gasses / solvents etc.?

- You say the install was easy. Aside from piping the gas in and mounting it, did you do a horizontal vent or vertical? I would dread doing a vertical vent up through the garage attic and then punch through the roof. My roof has a hell of a pitch and I don't much feel like running around up there and monkeying with a DIY install of the vent piping!



SK30 -- I was looking at units in the range of 75k BTU's for sure. I think this is right about the best fit for what my heating needs will be.

 

[ashman]

- Do the open flames worry you in a shop environment with an area that will constantly be exposed to flammable gasses / solvents etc.?

Not at all. I'm sure someone that is more of a HVAC expert could chime in here but this heater came out of a regular shop and they are pretty common. Plus, I'd think that before any gas got to a high enough concentration to be a problem you'd know it and/or it would be just as likely to be ignited by your power tools or starting your vehicle.
There is also a cover that goes on the bottom to keep misc. stuff from getting up there. I just have the cover off in the pic to show that it was working.

- You say the install was easy. Aside from piping the gas in and mounting it, did you do a horizontal vent or vertical? I would dread doing a vertical vent up through the garage attic and then punch through the roof. My roof has a hell of a pitch and I don't much feel like running around up there and monkeying with a DIY install of the vent piping!

Mine is a vertical vent, but I've seen plenty of horizontal vents so I know that's doable as well. I have to admit I was intimidated about cutting a hole in my roof as well but once I dove into it it wasn't hard at all. with the flashings that go around the vent pipe itself you have several inches of leeway so everything doesn't have to be perfect.

 

[Deuling]

My favorite part of the job is cutting big holes in people's expensive houses

 

[sweetk30]

that heater i posted about is in the paint shop section with lot's of good fumes and no boom yet

 

[K588]

Whatever you get make sure its vented. Either horizontal or vertical, stay away from vent free crap.just my .02.

 

[Highpsi]

Thanks all! I will go with a vertical vented option I think.

Amazing how CK5 is the "one place stop" for all your DIY needs..

 

[sweetk30]

oh ya and the one I posted is QUIET when running . you can hear your self talking over it .

 

[ashman]

oh ya and the one I posted is QUIET when running . you can hear your self talking over it .

yeah, that's a good point too. I was surprised at how quiet mine was once I got it installed. Most of the time you barely even notice it.