When work in the shop, garage or shed beckons in winter, do
you just suffer with the chill? Or do you make do with a
tiny, inadequate space heater?
If you're considering something more powerful-and more
permanent-you can choose from many types of shop heaters
fueled by propane, natural gas, kerosene, fuel oil and
electricity. We thought we'd narrow the field a bit by
taking a look at installed heaters that run on propane or
natural gas.
"My garage is my woodworking and small-tractor repair shop,"
says Chris Lusardi, who lives on Long Island, N.Y. The
heating solution for him involved installing an Empire
Direct Vent Heater.
Because of wood dust, spray paint and degreaser solvents,
Lusardi didn't want anything that involved an open flame,
which requires ventilation. Leaving the door to the garage
cracked open in winter defeated the purpose of the
heater.
Lusardi also checked out numerous radiant heaters on the
market, which heat objects in the space but not the air in
the space itself. But they required a ceiling height higher
than his 8-foot ceilings.
The Empire heater mounts on the wall and vents to the
outside. The burner and pilot light are sealed off from
inside dust and fumes. And the Empire "has a nice
appearance," points out Lusardi. His heater works off
natural gas, but these heaters also operate off propane.
Another propane proponent is Brian Granger, the manager of
B&T Grower Supply in Forest Hill, La. His company
supplies heaters to numerous greenhouse growers in the area
as well as to those who work in their garages.
"We sell tons of Hot Dawgs, mostly for garages," says
Granger. He's referring to the Modine Hot Dawg line of
heaters that hang from the ceiling and vent outside. The Hot
Dawgs are the only shop heaters the company sells.
"We've had two people out of maybe 700 heaters sold ever
call about a part going out," Granger says.
The output of the Hot Dawg models ranges from 30,000 to
70,000 BTU. The smaller unit can adequately heat up to 300
square feet; the upper-end unit can handle up to 950 square
feet. Those numbers assume an uninsulated building in
Minnesota with 8-foot ceilings.
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Empire Direct Vent
Models: Five ranging from 10,000 to 55,000 BTU.
Price Range: $624 to $1,981.
Pros: Quiet, attractive wall unit.
Cons: Cost. Blower to circulate air is extra.
Info: 1-800-851-3153;
www.empirecomfort.com.
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Modine Hot Dawg
Models: Four ranging from 30,000 to 75,000 BTU.
Price Range: $580 to $670.
Coverage Area: 300 to 950 square feet.
Pros: Power vented to the outside. Fan heats the space faster.
Cons: Options extra. Fan noise.
Info: 1-800-700-7324;
www.modine.com.
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Reznor UDAP
Models: Seven from 30,000 to 125,000 BTU per hour.
Offer 82 to 83% thermal efficiency.
Price range: $700 to $1,000.
Pros: Industry leader. Can hang within an inch of
the ceiling.
Cons: Options such as a hanging kit or a
stainless-steel heat exchanger for humid climates are extra.
Info: 1-800-695-1901;
www.rezspec.com.