Need propane heater ideas for insulated 42x60 Morton bldg

[sixdogs]

I'm about to have my 42x60 Morton pole barn insulated and need ideas what to get for a propane heater or furnace. I don't want to heat it to 80 degrees but do want to heat it so I have place to work over the winter. I know nothing about these because I have heated with wood or a furnace in a house. 50 degrees or a little more is a comfortable number.

The barn/shop has a concrete floor and I have a VAL6 diesel heater I use in the fall or spring to take the edge off. Still, all my tools are cold and it's not really that comfortable. I searched for those suspended propane heaters, which I know nothing about. Propane comes to mind because I have two 500 gallon tanks ten ft from the barn.

Does anyone have a larger propane heater in their shop or know anything about them? Any comments or experience welcome.

 

[grsthegreat]

You need to have a heating contractor do a site evaluation after its insulated. Get an idea of btu needed. My shop is uninsulated so i went with a suspended 125,000 btu propane unit to tale the edge off. I only need to turn it on 20 min before i intend to use it, than i can almost shut it off while working, as it stays pretty comfortable. I can remove jacket and work ok. I can cycle it on and off as necessary. My shop is only 30x40. About half was insulated, the rest still not done. I also have metal ceiling fan to cycle hot air down.

 

[groundcover]

These are slick , they heat you and objects, not the air.

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These are the old standard, nothing wrong with them. A little noisy, trouble free, maybe not as efficient , but will keep you warm.

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Put all the insulation to it that you can , you only buy it once, not every month !

 

[bigtiller]

I'm watching cuss I would like to do the same someday. The radiant tube heaters interest me because I have 14' tall walls.

sixdogs, how high is your ceiling?

 

[grsthegreat]

not too sure about those tube heaters. I have had to rip quite a few of them out of state buildings here in idaho over the years. They replaced them with hanging furnaces. Was told that they saved energy doing so.

 

[Sigarms]

not too sure about those tube heaters. I have had to rip quite a few of them out of state buildings here in idaho over the years. They replaced them with hanging furnaces. Was told that they saved energy doing so.

I'm curious as to why you had to rip the radiant tube heaters out. Generally never a problem with them.

Generally, particularly if you're on LP, a tube heater will save you more money than a 80% hanging unit heater.

I've laid out more than a couple of jobs for firehouses and warehouses with tube heaters here in NC over the last 20 years, as far as I know, none have ever been taken out (first, do a proper load, and depending on exactly what tube heater your using, that will determine layout for what you want to achieve for the space wanted heating).

Depending on the size of garage doors and the amount of time opened, it can get a little tricky, but if laid out properly, once that overhead door closes, boom, instant warm heat on you if laid out right.

 

[ponytug]

I'm about to have my 42x60 Morton pole barn insulated and need ideas what to get for a propane heater or furnace. I don't want to heat it to 80 degrees but do want to heat it so I have place to work over the winter. I know nothing about these because I have heated with wood or a furnace in a house. 50 degrees or a little more is a comfortable number.

The barn/shop has a concrete floor and I have a VAL6 diesel heater I use in the fall or spring to take the edge off. Still, all my tools are cold and it's not really that comfortable. I searched for those suspended propane heaters, which I know nothing about. Propane comes to mind because I have two 500 gallon tanks ten ft from the barn.

Does anyone have a larger propane heater in their shop or know anything about them? Any comments or experience welcome.

What's the relative cost of propane and electricity for you? Your pole barn might benefit from a heat pump if you are out there frequently, or could use the cooling in the summertime.

+1 on @groundcover's comments on insulation. Get more insulation than you think you want. It is the gift that keeps on giving.

All the best,

Peter

 

[sixdogs]

I'm watching cuss I would like to do the same someday. The radiant tube heaters interest me because I have 14' tall walls.

sixdogs, how high is your ceiling?

14 ft. I'm having an Amish crew do the insulation and they do excellent work. I'll get in all the insulation I can.

 

[sixdogs]

How much do the propane heaters cost? Again, I only want to knock the cold back a little and maybe maintain 50 degrees. Sometimes more.

 

[grsthegreat]

I'm curious as to why you had to rip the radiant tube heaters out. Generally never a problem with them.

Generally, particularly if you're on LP, a tube heater will save you more money than a 80% hanging unit heater.

I've laid out more than a couple of jobs for firehouses and warehouses with tube heaters here in NC over the last 20 years, as far as I know, none have ever been taken out (first, do a proper load, and depending on exactly what tube heater your using, that will determine layout for what you want to achieve for the space wanted heating).

Depending on the size of garage doors and the amount of time opened, it can get a little tricky, but if laid out properly, once that overhead door closes, boom, instant warm heat on you if laid out right.

these were all torn out of Idaho state maintenance buildings with multiple 16' tall roll up doors. they had too many complaints of not maintaining heat during winters. they ripped them out years ago, and installed the separate hanging units. i kinda wish i kept a section of one of them for my own shop though.