Work shop heater question.

navalseabee wrote:

So it’s starting to get too cold to work in my shop without a heat. I’m concerned however that if I warm it up in there...

So it’s starting to get too cold to work in my shop without a heat. I’m concerned however that if I warm it up in there and then let it get cold again or take a bike outside that everything will sweat and get water in places it shouldn’t be I.e. cylinders,suspension, steel fuel pales etc. Am I worried for nothing?

MX915 wrote:

Heating doesn't change the dewpoint of the room (unless its direct fired gas where you’re adding products of combustion to the airstream). If there is condensation...

Heating doesn't change the dewpoint of the room (unless its direct fired gas where you’re adding products of combustion to the airstream). If there is condensation on surfaces after the temp comes back down, there would’ve been without heating too. Unless you added humidity to the space in some manner.

plowboy wrote:

I am super lucky to have natural gas plumbed into my garage. I installed a 30k BTU ventless gas heater. It is usually set on 2...

I am super lucky to have natural gas plumbed into my garage. I installed a 30k BTU ventless gas heater. It is usually set on 2 (goes to 5). I admit my garage is heavily insulated but it stays about 60 degrees even when it's zero outside. I've never noticed any dampness but I do have a box fan in the window that runs constantly. I changed the alternator in the wife's car this morning...and I'm sweating in here.

My garage is 24 x 30 (720 square ft). I reckon this heater could keep 1000 sq ft comfortable and still be economical.

If your shop is big and uninsulated...I'd recommend a pellet stove. I'd also suggest spending the extra for one that will burn wheat/corn/rice. Wood pellets are getting pricey. A wood burning stove is cheaper up front but honestly...unless you have time to cut, split, stoke, and constantly clean out the ash...a wood stove is a pita. I ran a pellet stove on wheat in my old 60x40 uninsulated shop and it had no trouble holding 60 degrees all winter. And it was cheap as hell to run.

plowboy wrote:

I am super lucky to have natural gas plumbed into my garage. I installed a 30k BTU ventless gas heater. It is usually set on 2...

I am super lucky to have natural gas plumbed into my garage. I installed a 30k BTU ventless gas heater. It is usually set on 2 (goes to 5). I admit my garage is heavily insulated but it stays about 60 degrees even when it's zero outside. I've never noticed any dampness but I do have a box fan in the window that runs constantly. I changed the alternator in the wife's car this morning...and I'm sweating in here.

My garage is 24 x 30 (720 square ft). I reckon this heater could keep 1000 sq ft comfortable and still be economical.

If your shop is big and uninsulated...I'd recommend a pellet stove. I'd also suggest spending the extra for one that will burn wheat/corn/rice. Wood pellets are getting pricey. A wood burning stove is cheaper up front but honestly...unless you have time to cut, split, stoke, and constantly clean out the ash...a wood stove is a pita. I ran a pellet stove on wheat in my old 60x40 uninsulated shop and it had no trouble holding 60 degrees all winter. And it was cheap as hell to run.

Alex.434 wrote:

Well that's interesting. I have a 60x40 uninsulated shop.... We do have a pellet stove for the main house... so familiar with them... and would be...

Well that's interesting. I have a 60x40 uninsulated shop....

We do have a pellet stove for the main house... so familiar with them... and would be interested to investigate putting one into the shop for those colder months (gets into the 20s in the mountains of San Diego)

You happen to have a picture of your old setup?

UpTiTe wrote:

Get a pellet heater, dry, radiant heat and cost about 20-30 a month to continuously heat it. Throw a bag of pellets in there every few...

Get a pellet heater, dry, radiant heat and cost about 20-30 a month to continuously heat it. Throw a bag of pellets in there every few days, no big propane tanks to deal with.

My experience with propane is that it adds humidity, not enough to bother you, but it does, and it’s pricey.

ama530 wrote:

HVAC engineer here. If you have natural gas or propane access, go with a Reznor or Modine hanging space heater. Super efficient and work fantastic. If...

HVAC engineer here. If you have natural gas or propane access, go with a Reznor or Modine hanging space heater. Super efficient and work fantastic. If you have oil or waste oil, check those heaters out. Electric heaters from Qmark are cheap and work great but make the meter spin. Wood or pellet stoves are fine but they can be a mess and need attention all the time. They also cost a bundle to install because of the triple-wall stove pipe you will need to run the exhaust outside. Size your unit per the following. 400 sq. ft. per 12,000btus.

numbers wrote:

Find a cheap used wood stove. Run it when you work in your shop. Youl be happy.

ama530 wrote:

HVAC engineer here. If you have natural gas or propane access, go with a Reznor or Modine hanging space heater. Super efficient and work fantastic. If...

HVAC engineer here. If you have natural gas or propane access, go with a Reznor or Modine hanging space heater. Super efficient and work fantastic. If you have oil or waste oil, check those heaters out. Electric heaters from Qmark are cheap and work great but make the meter spin. Wood or pellet stoves are fine but they can be a mess and need attention all the time. They also cost a bundle to install because of the triple-wall stove pipe you will need to run the exhaust outside. Size your unit per the following. 400 sq. ft. per 12,000btus.

cwel11 wrote:

X2. This is what I have. Hot dawg propane. Hangs from ceiling so it takes up no floor space. Vents outside. Very low humidity in my...

X2. This is what I have. Hot dawg propane. Hangs from ceiling so it takes up no floor space. Vents outside. Very low humidity in my shop. I keep it at 50. Working in there on weekends I’ll bump it to 60. Best way to heat a shop in my opinion

ama530 wrote:

HVAC engineer here. If you have natural gas or propane access, go with a Reznor or Modine hanging space heater. Super efficient and work fantastic. If...

HVAC engineer here. If you have natural gas or propane access, go with a Reznor or Modine hanging space heater. Super efficient and work fantastic. If you have oil or waste oil, check those heaters out. Electric heaters from Qmark are cheap and work great but make the meter spin. Wood or pellet stoves are fine but they can be a mess and need attention all the time. They also cost a bundle to install because of the triple-wall stove pipe you will need to run the exhaust outside. Size your unit per the following. 400 sq. ft. per 12,000btus.

cwel11 wrote:

X2. This is what I have. Hot dawg propane. Hangs from ceiling so it takes up no floor space. Vents outside. Very low humidity in my...

X2. This is what I have. Hot dawg propane. Hangs from ceiling so it takes up no floor space. Vents outside. Very low humidity in my shop. I keep it at 50. Working in there on weekends I’ll bump it to 60. Best way to heat a shop in my opinion

abomination wrote:

Mind sharing what you paid? I want to do this for my parents and just got a quote of $4k installed for a 1120 sq. ft...

Mind sharing what you paid? I want to do this for my parents and just got a quote of $4k installed for a 1120 sq. ft. garage—upstate NY. Propane tanks are just on the other side of the wall where the unit would be. Waiting on second quote but not great communication with that company.

numbers wrote:

Find a cheap used wood stove. Run it when you work in your shop. Youl be happy.

DKmxFAN wrote:

This is a horrible idea

numbers wrote:

Find a cheap used wood stove. Run it when you work in your shop. Youl be happy.

DKmxFAN wrote:

This is a horrible idea

cwel11 wrote:

X2. This is what I have. Hot dawg propane. Hangs from ceiling so it takes up no floor space. Vents outside. Very low humidity in my...

X2. This is what I have. Hot dawg propane. Hangs from ceiling so it takes up no floor space. Vents outside. Very low humidity in my shop. I keep it at 50. Working in there on weekends I’ll bump it to 60. Best way to heat a shop in my opinion

abomination wrote:

Mind sharing what you paid? I want to do this for my parents and just got a quote of $4k installed for a 1120 sq. ft...

Mind sharing what you paid? I want to do this for my parents and just got a quote of $4k installed for a 1120 sq. ft. garage—upstate NY. Propane tanks are just on the other side of the wall where the unit would be. Waiting on second quote but not great communication with that company.

cwel11 wrote:

Whoa, that seems really high. I did everything myself with a buddy with HVAC experience but it’s been a while now. I bought the unit used...

Whoa, that seems really high. I did everything myself with a buddy with HVAC experience but it’s been a while now. I bought the unit used and to be honest I don’t remember what I paid. You’ll also need the vent pipe to go through the wall, a thermostat, all thread, propane line and power to the unit. Hopefully someone with more HVAC experience can chime in and help you out more. I do construction for a living but sub out my HVAC stuff. 4K seems really excessive though.

kb228 wrote:

I use a small torpedo heater and diesel. Things do sweat. I wouldnt worry about inside the bike. Literally everything has oil or grease on it...

I use a small torpedo heater and diesel. Things do sweat. I wouldnt worry about inside the bike. Literally everything has oil or grease on it. You should worry more about your tools and tool box.

If your shop has power you can set up a mini split. Theyre not that expensive and will heat/cool the shop all year long.

abomination wrote:

Mind sharing what you paid? I want to do this for my parents and just got a quote of $4k installed for a 1120 sq. ft...

Mind sharing what you paid? I want to do this for my parents and just got a quote of $4k installed for a 1120 sq. ft. garage—upstate NY. Propane tanks are just on the other side of the wall where the unit would be. Waiting on second quote but not great communication with that company.

cwel11 wrote:

Whoa, that seems really high. I did everything myself with a buddy with HVAC experience but it’s been a while now. I bought the unit used...

Whoa, that seems really high. I did everything myself with a buddy with HVAC experience but it’s been a while now. I bought the unit used and to be honest I don’t remember what I paid. You’ll also need the vent pipe to go through the wall, a thermostat, all thread, propane line and power to the unit. Hopefully someone with more HVAC experience can chime in and help you out more. I do construction for a living but sub out my HVAC stuff. 4K seems really excessive though.

ama530 wrote:

That might be a little high but not out of the ballpark. A unit for 1120 sq.ft. will run the contractor about $1K. Then you have...

That might be a little high but not out of the ballpark. A unit for 1120 sq.ft. will run the contractor about $1K. Then you have to account for the propane line. Gastite isn't cheap. And the exhaust pipe may run you $$$ depending on how far you need to get outside and up. Shop around to a few different contractors to try to get a feel. Unfortunately, now is not a good time to get a bargain on a heater. Contractors are swamped and units have long lead times for delivery if not in stock. Just like everything else.

cwel11 wrote:

https://www.lowesforpros.com/pd/Mr-Heater-80000-BTU-Liquid-Propane-Radiant-Heater/1001412200 Heater $660. Gas pipe, thermostat, vent pipe probably had for another $400. Yes, depending on the tank location and ventilation difficulties it may be more...

https://www.lowesforpros.com/pd/Mr-Heater-80000-BTU-Liquid-Propane-Radi…

Heater $660. Gas pipe, thermostat, vent pipe probably had for another $400. Yes, depending on the tank location and ventilation difficulties it may be more, but 4K or really even 3K is high.