What heater for an attached garage.

I just installed a ventless gas heater in my two car attached garage. I like it okay...it was free (came with the house...I relocated it from the basement to the garage). Like someone else mentioned, it has an open flame so you would have to watch painting/flammables. I don't paint, so its not a problem.

At my old house, I had a 32x48 detached shop with an Enerco Radiant Tube heat setup. That was the best! The cool part about the radiant setup is all of your tools, cars, etc. stay warm because it heats objects, not the air. If you have to open the door, it recovers really quick because everything in the shop is warm.

 

Sprout, you should be so busy bending brake lines you wouldn't have time to get cold!!!!......give me a shout, things are slowing down a little....

 

Putting in a Munchkin boiler next year, sealed burners,95%+ eff.,modulating, and small (hangs on the wall).

 

I just use an electric fan heater, I insulated the shed when I built it and that really helps, I would like a gas heater but I am sure I would have a fire in no time as I spill lots of flamable stuff.
Regards
Brendan

 

I use a 220 volt construction heater. Although my garage is well insulated. It is safe and will keep it at 70 if I like. And it can get pretty cold in Winterpeg

 

similar question here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312937
I have a 35-80000BTU propane heater for my garage, its 20x24 and I can heat it up enough to work in the garage even in -20(c) weather. A 20lb tank will last most of the weekend if you do not keep it cranked full blast.
I notice the fumes depend on two things: where you get the tank filled(some stations seem to use bad or smelly propane), and what you are spraying in the garage. If you use wd40 or brake cleaner the fumes tend to mix and can give you a rather good migraine the next day.
I end up cracking the garage door about once an hour to get some fresh air in. Seems to help.

 

I've tried several methods. 1) Hanging forced air natural gas and propane. Floor was always cold, but great heat from about 2'up and fairly economical. 2) Picked up a used forced air unit from a guy that was putting in a new AC and decided to go with new furnace as well. Paid $80 plus cost at a sheet metal shop to make a 90 degree duct to sit on top, about $20, to send heat out at about 48" off the ground. Wired it and ran gas lines myself---another $20. Lowest investment of all systems and not bad heat, but again, floor is cool. I see used units in the classifieds where I live all the time or as rodinron #13 says contact a local Heating business and see if they can fix you up. 3) In my current house, the geothermal system is located in the garage. There were already ducts in the garage when I bought the house and the garage stays warm in winter and ACed in summer. But as pointed out in another response, you will likely get fumes*****ed back into your living areas. 4) In a separate shop building, I use tube heat and the floor is always warm. 5) worst system is a kerosene salamander. Uses up oxygen in closed up areas, dangerous and leaves a flim on projects

 

I forgot to mention, as others pointed out, the key is good insulation, particularly the garage door. Without it it won't make much difference what you use for heat.