Garage Heater

[PA hayseed]

FWIW

I use a multi fuel forced air portable unit. Heats my pole building up quick, but it is noisy. It has a thermostat on it, so I load it with kero (burns pretty clean) and leave it sit in there all the time. My pole building is insulated. I have not noticed much of a moisture issue, but if I ran the heater on high for a prolonged period of time I am sure I would. I like the ease of use, low maintenance, and no running of pipes or lines. Just plug it in and let it sit. I did put it on a movable dolly, so my lazy butt doesn't have to pick it up and move it. I have it partially aimed toward my FEL on my tractor, so when it shuts off the FEL still gives some radiant heat. That is also where my floor drain is, and helps melt the snow and ice off the tractor.

 

[kenmac]

I never thought of the moisture never crossed my mind. I have to find out how much moisture is in natural gas.....don't need a bunch of rusty tools nd machines...glad you brought that up!

There should be no moisture in the N.G. gas itself. I have a 30x40 garage with only insulated walls ( ceiling not insulated) I installed a 100,000 btu forced air furnace (nat.gas) in the rafters & ran 20" round pipe for the duct. I also added an A/C unit to the system. Keeps me warm in the winter & cool in the summer when working on a project in the garage

 

[keeney]

There should be no moisture in the N.G. gas itself. ...

Although perfectly dry before its burned, there is a significant amount of water vapor as a combustion product produced in the exhaust. If not vented to the exterior, it is going to condense somewhere inside the building.

- Rick

 

[kenmac]

Although perfectly dry before its burned, there is a significant amount of water vapor as a combustion product produced in the exhaust. If not vented to the exterior, it is going to condense somewhere inside the building.

- Rick

Water vapor vapor is a by product . ever use an unvented radiant heater ? The by product is condensation. but ,the gas itself isn't liquid as like in propane (L.P.)

 

[keeney]

It doesn't matter the form of the fuel to start with; gas or liquid. Burn any hydrocarbon fuel (Methane / Natural Gas, Propane, Octane, etc) and a lot of the hydrogen atoms get oxidized to make H2O.

- Rick

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

53,

I have the same type of NG heater you posted in my 2.5 car garage and it works fine for the number of hours it is used. I got it at Home Depot @ 50% off in February a few years ago. If you can wait the box stores will give substantial savings on seasonal stuff like this, u could pay the same $ and get the NG model for home and the kerosene model for VT and not have to worry about transporting it each time for the same $$ as one unit u will pay for it now. Just visit your local store and ask them when they will be discounted. You could even go on E-Bay and get a 10% off coupon and save even more $.
Just remember to keep a door or window cracked to let fresh air in when working int he garage with the heater on.

 

[LBrown59]

Just remember to keep a door or window cracked to let fresh air in when working int he garage with the heater on.

How much?

 

[LBrown59]

In a message dated 12/25/07 7:45:13 AM Pacific Standard Time, LBrown59 writes:
<< Another safety hazard of many of the portable heaters being discussed here is there is no shut off value between the tank and the heater.
I discovered this hazard when I tried to shut off the fuel supply to the Mr Heater Big Buddy when it blew up in the storage building.
Such a helpless feeling when you have a flash fire going and no way to turn off the fuel supply! >>

 

[jimmer2880]

I don't see the problem. My hose is only, at most, 4' long. The tank has a shut-off.

 

[LBrown59]

I don't see the problem. My hose is only, at most, 4' long. The tank has a shut-off.

This valve failed
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Iv'e seen them Malfunction 2 ways.
1=Let the gas escape the tank even when turned completely off.
2-Fail to release the gas from the tank with the valve turned fully on.
== L B ==
Now that I have the Natural Gas heater in the building I feel much safer with having 5 shut off valves between the heater thermostat and the gas company main line.

 

[kenmac]

How much?

Depends on how big the heater is . If you go by gas code ( here anyway ) I guess it could be different where you are. Examples are >>>> 1sq.in per 1000 btu , 1 sq in per 3000 btu or 2 sq in per 1000 btu. These some of the confined space #'s

 

[kenmac]

It doesn't matter the form of the fuel to start with; gas or liquid. Burn any hydrocarbon fuel (Methane / Natural Gas, Propane, Octane, etc) and a lot of the hydrogen atoms get oxidized to make H2O.

- Rick

This is true. the amount of moisture produced (as a by product) depends on the btu content of the appliance being burned.

 

[LBrown59]

I don't see the problem. My hose is only, at most, 4' long. The tank has a shut-off.

Here is what happened to me:
``` I had the 12 foot hose connected between the Mr Heater Big Buddy and a 20 lb LP tank outside the building.
When the heater exploded into a ball of fire the heater was completely engulfed in the fire so there was no way to reach into the flames and shut the gas off with the heater thermostat control knob.
I rushed out side and cranked the LP gas valve clear down to the completely off position but it did not stop the gas from coming out of the LP tank.
Never even slowed it down.
The shut off valve failed.
Inside I had a shut off valve I couldn't get to because of the flames.
Outside I had a shut off valve on the tank that didn't work.
Now do you see the problem?
Can you see why I feel safer with the glow warm heater with 5 shut off valves on the line between the stove and the gas supply??
I'd say the chances of 5 shut off valves being inoperable at the same time is far less likely than 2 shut off valves being out of order at the same time; wouldn't you?

 

[MrJimi]

Sounds like operator error to me.
Did you turn on gas then get a match to lite it?
Could have turned the shut-off the wrong direction in your moment of fire
12 foot hose? thats long
The valve on your tank outside failed also. Hmm
I have your answer

operator error
and if you reply to me here, you are guilty of operator error

 

[MikeyB]

I have been looking at one of these burning propane:

Reflect-O-Ray® EDS3.5 Radiant Infrared Heating Systems

Just haven't taken the plunge. On some of their models the ceiling must be high enough so as not to blister the paint on your vehicle.

Mike

 

[LBrown59]

Depends on how big the heater is . If you go by gas code ( here anyway ) I guess it could be different where you are. Examples are >>>> 1sq.in per 1000 btu , 1 sq in per 3000 btu or 2 sq in per 1000 btu. These are some of the confined space #'s

Thanks for the info.
I have a 10000 btu ventless glow warm heater .
I have a vent 20.5 long by 1.5 wide.
This works out to 3.075 square inches per 1000 BTUs.
Looks like it's well over any minuimn requirement .

 

[LBrown59]

Sounds like operator error to me.

Could have turned the shut-off the wrong direction in your moment of fire

If the gas was already off then why was the heater on and operaring just fine ; and how could there have been a flash fire or explosion with no gas in the line or stove?????????????????????? ?

 

[rvaitor]

I have been looking at one of these burning propane:

Reflect-O-Rayｮ EDS3.5 Radiant Infrared Heating Systems

Just haven't taken the plunge. On some of their models the ceiling must be high enough so as not to blister the paint on your vehicle.

Mike

Those work very well. I've got a couple of friends that love them.

 

[philbuilt]

This is what I have been using for 2 years now.
Mr. Heater Natural Gas Garage Heater 45,000 BTU, Model# MHU45NG
It is LP or NG and vented with a thermostat. My shop is 32' x40' insulated. This unit takes about 1/2 hr to bring the shop to a decent temp.I also use a shop ceiling fan to help keep the heat down.
Phil