Most families rarely use their garage space just for storage
or for parking their vehicles. These days, garage double as laundry rooms,
workshops, play areas and even as niches for pets. The garage has
become an extension of the family's living space, but in the winter it becomes
almost unbearable to be in for more than a few seconds. The cold chill and
drafty structure make it less than habitable, causing us to lose our square
footing during the winter season. However, we can easily fix this
problem with a simple garage heater.
But what type of
garage heater you get depends on what you
use your garage for.
Forced-Air Heaters
Traditional forced air heaters deliver instant heat like
a conventional furnace and are designed to solve any outdoor heating needs.
A convection garage heater moves air past a heating element warming the
air; then the hot air rises away from the heater. These garage heaters are
best for enclosed spaces and are similar to a forced air heating system
in a home. They are easy to use and install and are a great way to warm
an entire garage. Some of the most common and widely used forced-air heaters
include the Dayton series, a range of portable gas-fired forced air heaters.
Many models in the Dayton line all include easy electronic ignition, a fuel
shutoff device, and automatic overheat shutoff.
Forced-air heaters can be placed in a corner, near a gas
line and an electrical outlet. How many BTUs (units of energy) you'd need
depends on variables such as your garage size, climate zone and preferred
temperature settings. However, a basic rule of thumb for forced-air
heaters is 45,000 BTU to heat a two to two and a half car garage, and 60,000
BTUs for a three-car garage.
The required minimum BTUs for
infrared heaters is marginally
lower - 30,000 BTUs can heat a two car garage, with a suggested 50,000 for
a three-car garage. Infrared heater, also often used to heat garages, radiate
heat rather than using a conventional blower fan. Available in many different
styles from infrared to tube heaters, it's likely that you've seen these
types of heaters at city bus stops or large warehouses. As opposed to convection
heaters, radiant heaters work well when you're only looking to heat a specific
area as opposed to an enclosed space.
If you plan on working on a project in your garage, particularly with
wood or paints, an infrared heater may work better because it doesn't raise
dust or keep dust airborne. A forced-air heater will stir up sawdust, which
is certainly a problem with many DIY projects usually carried out in the
garage, such as painting, re-upholstery, staining, sawing, etc.
However, you won't feel warm as quickly with an infrared heater because
it heats objects first, rather than the air. Yet once your concrete floor
warms, you'll feel more comfortable because infrared heat provides uniformity
and consistent heat rather than dissipating heat associated with blower
fan heaters. With forced-air heat, the air is warmer at the ceiling
and cooler at your feet. And a forced-air heater will take longer to reheat
the space after the garage door has been opened and shut.
Installation is markedly different too. For safety reasons, it's advisable
that all nearby objects be kept at distance of three to four feet. Infrared
heaters must be installed a minimum of 7 ft. above the floor, and must hang
down a minimum of 4 in. from the ceiling. It's critical that you make sure
objects below are not too close. Most infrared heaters are installed at
the back of a garage pointed toward the garage door, then aimed downward
at a 45-degree angle. They can also be installed between car bays if the
garage door opener rail allows and you don't have tall vehicle such as a
truck or an SUV.
If you plan on doing any type of body work on cars where bare metal will
be exposed, you may want to go with an electric heater as opposed to a heater
that burns propane or natural gas. Burning any type of fuel can create moisture
in the air which may cause problems when doing body work on cars. With electric
heaters, you don't have to worry about producing moisture since these types
of heaters use an electric coil as opposed to a burner.
Portable electric heaters also require very little maintenance.
And while electric heaters used to be expensive, newer models on the market
are competitively priced. A higher efficiency rating, contrasted against
the extreme cost of natural gas, has made electric heating far more popular
than the alternative.
Electric heaters have a number of benefits, such as automatic shut off.
Most electrical heater units will also automatically turn off if the unit
has tilted off its base and/or fallen over. This safety measure prevents
hazards and fires - which is critical feature if you're using flammables
or have pets or children nearby.
An additional safety benefit includes protection against carbon dioxide
poisoning. Unlike natural gas furnaces, with electric heaters you
don't have to worry about lethal gas leaks (which are often undetectable
to humans). And since electric heaters don't produce emissions, they're
definitely the green choice for any eco-minded home.
A cost benefit in by electric heaters is that many cities and states
offer incentive programs to home owners who switched out traditional heating
for electric furnaces. Additionally, many utility companies offer
similar perks to those who heat their space with electricity rather than
natural gases.
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