Garage Heat: Electric vs Mini Split

Sooo what’s the go to propane heater for a two car garage?
I’m jam packed in my space, although I’ll probably keep one car outside while I’m working
 
orange150 said:
Sooo what’s the go to propane heater for a two car garage?
I’m jam packed in my space, although I’ll probably keep one car outside while I’m working
Click to expand...

My little Home Depot one like this works supernatural.

IMG_1844.png
 
Joe_U4 said:
I have the 125k version and it works like a champ, good product. I only run for a few minutes to bring the garage up to temp and then let the MS maintain the temp.
Click to expand...
Do these canon style heaters need a big open space in front of them?

I think about my 2 car garage that gas a vehicle in the middle, a workbench and tools on one side and random stuff on the other... there';s not a lot of space that I wouldn't be worried about all those BTUs melting something
 
Joe_U4 said:
I wouldn't put anything within a few feet of it, I believe they recommend 6' clearance. You could always elevate it on something to blow above everyting.
Click to expand...
This is what bothers me. I have about one AMC360s width between both cars and between the cars and the bench.
I’ll probably have one car outside while I’m doing major projects… but I’d still like to close the garage to retain some heat.

IMG_2830.jpeg
 
orange150 said:
This is what bothers me. I have about one AMC360s width between both cars and between the cars and the bench.
I’ll probably have one car outside while I’m doing major projects… but I’d still like to close the garage to retain some heat.

View attachment 431708
Click to expand...

Just shoot it down in between
Or put on top of something and shoot it across the vehicles?
I frequently sit within 3ft of mine to warm up - no I dont catch on fire
I make some common sense decisions for about a 6ft clearance approx - yesterday mine was pointed directly at my workout bench about 5ft away for about an hour before I noticed
Also if you are really tight on space and worried, take a piece of diamond plate aluminum and put it directly in front of it as a deflector and let it absorb/disipate the direct heat
 
Get 2-3 radiant heaters, they run pretty lean on power and will heat that small of a space for a hundo or two

To recoup cost in energy savings of $100 a month 4 months a year by spending $5k+ on a mini split or tons of time and money trying to insulate seems to me a long return on investment

1.5 kw/ hr at .20cents a kw hr only when you need it, maybe leave them on for days at a time if you’re in there a lot

 
Last edited:
Shreddinlettuce said:
Get 2-3 radiant heaters, they run pretty lean on power and will heat that small of a space for a hundo or two

To recoup cost in energy savings of $100 a month 4 months a year by spending $5k+ on a mini split or tons of time and money trying to insulate seems to me a long return on investment

1.5 kw/ hr at .20cents a kw hr only when you need it, maybe leave them on for days at a time if you’re in there a lot

Click to expand...
$5k for a mini split???

For that garage you can use this
and install it in a weekend. $750 is you step up to 18k BTU.
 
Noel said:
This thing friggin rocks. I’m going tomorrow to get one for my shop. Alot of heat and zero noise
Click to expand...
That’s what I went with for the Wife’s greenhouse. I got mine on Amazon and got the fan kit for it also. Little bastard puts out the heat! Pretty reasonable gas consumption too.
 
Scott86MJ said:
View attachment 431435
I have this 7500 watt from Northern tools. It is definitely enough heat for your space, but my power bill goes up by a hundred or more doll hairs when I use. I have a propane gas pack now and a wood stove that I use mostly.
Click to expand...
I also have a PROFusion in my attached 3 car garage with 15’ ceilings. All 3 walls are insulated and my garage doors are insulated. Warms it up quickly and keeps it there.
 
ckruzer said:
any concerns with using a 80lb tank or less right next to the unit, so it all stays inside (no plumbing to outside)?
Click to expand...
That’s how have mine. Going today to buy another unit for my shop. The tractor supply’s seem to have them in stock. More heat and quiet is a win win for me for the shop.
 
Noel said:
That’s how have mine. Going today to buy another unit for my shop. The tractor supply’s seem to have them in stock. More heat and quiet is a win win for me for the shop.
Click to expand...

All the tractor supply ones near me are only showing 20k btu, fyi. Just in case thats true for you.
My torpedo heater is 60k, and it takes max effort to get the chill out of the air in about 30min of use. From then on, 1 hr on low is enough to get a comfortable heat sink going.
Id be nervous over 20k only?

Do you leave yours running in garage when not at home?
 
Mr. Heater MHVFBF20LPT 20,000 BTU... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DPZ5B3M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is the heater in the greenhouse

Mr. Heater F299201 Vent-Free... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DGWAUA8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the little fan add-on I got. It has a thermal couple to turn the fan on and off when it’s burning

I got my hose kit from Lowe’s and was a Mr. Heater brand kit that hooked right up and does a great job. Has like. 8’ hose too which is nice.

Edit/ I do run a real small fan at the corner of the greenhouse running along the ground to circulate fresh air back to the heater cause the first night it choked itself out. Ever since the little fan it has been doing a great job. We also keep one of the GH windows slightly cracked for fresh air.
 
skyhighZJ said:
Edit/ I do run a real small fan at the corner of the greenhouse running along the ground to circulate fresh air back to the heater cause the first night it choked itself out. Ever since the little fan it has been doing a great job. We also keep one of the GH windows slightly cracked for fresh air.
Click to expand...
Run a dehumidifier, then you get rid of the moisture and you get free heat as a biproduct! :laughing:
 
Back
Top