tracdoc
Platinum Member
Barry,
How much volume does your garage have? Reason I ask is the old "heat rises" issue which can render an otherwise good heat source pretty useless, because it's heating a huge loft. If the volume is reasonable (12-14' ceilings), I have beeen quite happy with the indoor-approved kerosene heaters. These are the kind you get from TSC, WalMart, etc. I have used them for years, starting when I was living in CT with pretty cold winters. A 23,000 BTU/hr Dyna Glo runs ~$120 at TSC, and it will burn its 1.9 Gal kero fill over a 12 hr period. A pair of them in a 2-car garage provides a very high level of comfort. Of course, you can get a single higher BTU model, too. I like the flexibility of 2 lower rated heaters, using one or both depending on ambient.
Just like when you use them inside the home, you need to be sure they are in an open area, away from flammables and combustibles, etc., etc. I start the heaters about 1-2 hr before I am going to work. That's about the only drawback--they don't make instant heat. They are however, very safe and efficient. I also have a Carbon Monoxide monitor plugged into a garage outlet and test it regularly. It has never alarmed with the kero heaters in operation. Nice thing about these heaters, is that when the weather warms up, you just put 'em away. No installation, no plumbing, low initial cost, and low (relatively!) ongoing energy costs.
I like the idea of the radiant floor heat. Maybe someday, when I build the dream garage for the 425, the 1430 and the 1850 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
How much volume does your garage have? Reason I ask is the old "heat rises" issue which can render an otherwise good heat source pretty useless, because it's heating a huge loft. If the volume is reasonable (12-14' ceilings), I have beeen quite happy with the indoor-approved kerosene heaters. These are the kind you get from TSC, WalMart, etc. I have used them for years, starting when I was living in CT with pretty cold winters. A 23,000 BTU/hr Dyna Glo runs ~$120 at TSC, and it will burn its 1.9 Gal kero fill over a 12 hr period. A pair of them in a 2-car garage provides a very high level of comfort. Of course, you can get a single higher BTU model, too. I like the flexibility of 2 lower rated heaters, using one or both depending on ambient.
Just like when you use them inside the home, you need to be sure they are in an open area, away from flammables and combustibles, etc., etc. I start the heaters about 1-2 hr before I am going to work. That's about the only drawback--they don't make instant heat. They are however, very safe and efficient. I also have a Carbon Monoxide monitor plugged into a garage outlet and test it regularly. It has never alarmed with the kero heaters in operation. Nice thing about these heaters, is that when the weather warms up, you just put 'em away. No installation, no plumbing, low initial cost, and low (relatively!) ongoing energy costs.
I like the idea of the radiant floor heat. Maybe someday, when I build the dream garage for the 425, the 1430 and the 1850 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
