garage furnance reviews - Mr Heater

lhfarm · Oct 5, 2009

I just had a NG line run to my detached garage. It is 20x40 unfinished - no wall board, enclosed ceiling or insulation. I do plan on finishing it this winter, so thought I'd go ahead and install the furnance now and not freeze while I'm working out there. I've searched and read a number of threads here. I'm leaning toward the Mr Heater unit from Northen Tool - Mr. Heater Natural Gas Garage Heater 75,000 BTU, Model# MHU75NG | Heaters | Northern Tool + Equipment

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone using the this heater or another brand of the same design. Is noise a big issue? Installation issues?

Any comments appreicated.
Thanks,

dave1949 · Oct 6, 2009

Don't know about the heater, sounds like a good project you have going.

I wanted to mention it will be very hard to get much warmth in your building, until you at least have the ceiling closed in, without using a high btu construction site heater. Insulating the ceiling will make a huge difference too. If you hate to work in the cold ,like me

, start with the ceiling.

Dave.

lhfarm · Oct 6, 2009

dave1949 said:
Don't know about the heater, sounds like a good project you have going.

I wanted to mention it will be very hard to get much warmth in your building, until you at least have the ceiling closed in, without using a high btu construction site heater. Insulating the ceiling will make a huge difference too. If you hate to work in the cold ,like me , start with the ceiling.

Dave.

There is another thread out there were I started this project a year ago. You are correct. I need to work on the ceiling first.

I seem to have a number of unfinished projects at the moment.

Thanks,

kennyd · Oct 6, 2009

Not sure about the "MR Heater" brand...But I know Modine has the "Hot Dawg" models that are very popular.

dave1949 · Oct 7, 2009

lhfarm said:
There is another thread out there were I started this project a year ago. I seem to have a number of unfinished projects at the moment.

Thanks,

I don't think a year sounds so bad for an outbuilding. For me, the only way to not have unfinished projects is to not start projects

but who can resist?

Dave.

impdaddy · Oct 7, 2009

Good point Dave. Does your head still hurt?

dave1949 · Oct 7, 2009

impdaddy said:
Good point Dave. Does your head still hurt?

No, but those voices are getting louder

HeavyHitch · Oct 7, 2009

I have a 34 X 36 garage and have two Mr. Heaters which was way overkill. I have a partion wall dividing 14 X 36 on one side for a shop and the other side is where I park the tractor and vehicles. The one on the shop side is 45K BTU and the main side is 75K BTU...the 45K BTU heated the entire area just fine before the wall was up. I actually used the 75K BTU heater as temp heat while I was building my home in the middle of January. We hooked it to a thermostat and it did surprisingly well heating a 2500 sq ft house. All in all, I think it's a good unit at a great price in comparison to other models. Remember also, it is an electronic ignition and direct vent which makes it much easier running the flue pipe!

kidr · Oct 7, 2009

Make sure any open flame is at least 18" above the floor to prevent explosions.Gasoline fumes are heavy and will accumulate at floor level.Keep the heater high.

RonMar · Oct 9, 2009

I just finished insulating my 24X24 grage early this last spring. It is a whole different space now, and requires very little heat compared to what it used to.

Your heat demand is going to be a LOT less after you insulate, so something properly sized for that will surely be inadequate without the insulation, and something sized for no insulation will be way to large once the insulation is up. I am not sure what your coldest temps are and how much wind you have, or your insulation plans, but 75,000 BTU/HR sounds like a LOT of heat for a well insulated space... I heat my home thru the winter in the PNW primarilly with a pellet stove kicking out 12,000 BTU/HR... As mentioned, best to start with the ceiling, but untill you get to it, a visqueen vapor barrier stapled across the bottom of the rafters will make a Huge difference in room comfort by just stopping warm air from rising above the rafters.

Those heaters look like they are designed to mount up near the ceiling, but personally, I don't like the idea of any open flame heater in a space where I work on fueled vehicles.