Garage heater

[atgcpaul]

I use an oil filled electric space heater in the shop but it can still leave a chill. Looks like I need approx 5000W heater for my ~460sf shop with 10' ceilings. My heater is only 1500W.

A large 5000W heater is $250.

https://m.northerntool.com/northernt...?itemId=173004

These smaller 1500W ones are $34.

https://m.northerntool.com/northernt...ductName=false

Could I get 3 and expect to receive similar results? I can do the wiring no prob.

Paul

[LCHIEN]

probably three will work better because you can distribute them and the heating will be much more even without having to resort to fans which will make it feel colder due to the draft.

Running those things at 5KW will cost you 60 cents per hour at 12 cents per KW-hour. Reasonable.

The links don't show any useful info for me.
You will also need three pretty much dedicated 120V circuits to run them if they are three, 120V 1500W units.
the 5000W unit would need 220V 30A service to be practical.

[geeoh]

+1


Is this for your painting task

[atgcpaul]

+1


Is this for your painting task

It will definitely make it more bearable. I actually need to finish my daughter's dresser first but it's too cold to do any finishing. Too stinky and dusty to do it in the house.

[greenacres2]

It will definitely make it more bearable. I actually need to finish my daughter's dresser first but it's too cold to do any finishing. Too stinky and dusty to do it in the house.

Well goodness...have her clean it!!

Oh, you mean the finishing would be stinky and smelly? Never mind...

earl

[atgcpaul]

Well goodness...have her clean it!!

Oh, you mean the finishing would be stinky and smelly? Never mind...

earl

No, you had it right the first time. Little kids will do that to a house.

[Rslaugh]

You'll be much happier with multiple 1500 wt units especially because the 1500's are radiant heaters vs forced hot air for the larger one. Radiant heaters are similar to the sun in that they heat surfaces not the air. Having these distributed around your shop will be much more comfortable.

[dbhost]

Obviously up north where you are is distinctly different than here in Texas, but we have been hovering in the low to upper 30s here on and off for a couple of weeks mixed with plenty of rain. Kind of miserable actually, but I digress... I haven't had an opportunity to go into the shop for very long, but when I have, I haven't felt the need to have more than a long sleeve shirt on. No heater, nothing like that. The big difference? Insulation and door seals...

Now mind you, I am sure if I was working for extended periods, I would want a radiant heater out there, but that's it, just one.

In your case, I believe you shop is bigger than mine, and you are in a MUCH colder climate, I would think that with sufficient insulation, and proper door seals, you could probably be pretty toasty with a pair of oil filled radiators...

[atgcpaul]

The shop walls and ceilings are insulated and covered in OSB and drywall respectively. The garage doors are wood and are not insulated. It's going down to the 20s tonight. I'd have to wear my winter coat in there with no heat to feel slightly comfortable. I couldn't work without gloves. It's also free standing so don't have the benefit of a warm house or extra wind break.

I ordered two heaters. The problem with the oil heater is that the heat shoots straight up to the ceiling--10' up. If I wasn't standing right over it, I'd feel no heat.

[dbhost]

The shop walls and ceilings are insulated and covered in OSB and drywall respectively. The garage doors are wood and are not insulated. It's going down to the 20s tonight. I'd have to wear my winter coat in there with no heat to feel slightly comfortable. I couldn't work without gloves. It's also free standing so don't have the benefit of a warm house or extra wind break.

I ordered two heaters. The problem with the oil heater is that the heat shoots straight up to the ceiling--10' up. If I wasn't standing right over it, I'd feel no heat.

If you can, insulate the doors. Garage doors like to act like giant heat sinks.

With my one heater, I generally can put the ambient air filter on the low setting, and move enough air to keep it cozy into the 30s. It hasn't gone much below that since I added the insulation though... I still don't even have sheet rock installed.