So, as many of you know I am building a new shop/house for my last hoorah. This will be my retirement dream shop, so I am trying to build it with 365 days of usable time in mind. I have an area of approx. 50x70 with 18' sidewalls and open rafters, which give you about 23' in the center. I am at the point where my plumber is running my gas lines to the shop side and I am trying to figure out how to position everything. I was thinking of using the Omega II infrared heater like this one. It's 175K BTU's. I was gonna go with the 200K, but the sales guy says it would be overkill. https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...4x_ApaQWl0_-WO3cIhZs-aN1uvreLdEraWSa7S8vubalu It's 50' long. I was pondering running 2 of the 8' ceiling fans, one on each end of it. With 70' in length, that would leave 10' on either end, giving you a little space between the fan and the heater. I called their tech rep and he said drop it down about 2', so 15' off the ground. I've never owned one of these, so any input is appreciated.
I have the same type of heater in my shop for the last 20 years. They heat objects not air. So the air takes a long time to heat up. I also have a hot air furnace for when I need heat fast.
I know exactly how you feel, but I'm starting to realize that there's just gonna be some sacrifices for the way I would prefer to have things. IMO, make the shop the most comfortable for yourself. Even if you have to wait, just wait and do it right for you. Spend as much as you can, to keep it workable, so that you can use it when it's hot outside, or when it's freezing. I mostly need to worry about cooling, as we rarely get snow, but it does happen. It's more of an anomaly when it does happen. I have only seen snow at the property once. We were staying in a cabin with my MIL and it was snowing that evening. The next morning there was still some stuck, but it was melting pretty quick. I don't know if I'm going to luck out or not, but if I open both sides of the shop a breeze blows up from the lake. Keeps it pretty cool the couple dozen times I've been there. Don't the mini-splits provide heat also? When I lived in Japan they have an air conditioner in each room, they literally drill a 2" hole in the wall and that's the vent. I think there's one that goes in and another that goes out. They would do heat or ac however you wanted. I hear a lot of people praising the mini-splits for shop. My plan is not do anything and will attack it later if/when I have some cash for it. So far it's off the radar as it's not a huge issue. You have 3x the amount of space as I do. It adds up quick as it grows. The one thing I would do if I was you is to insulate as best you can. Try to isolate the climate in the shop as best you can so that whatever type of climate control you do use will be the most affective. It's kinda like having a generator if the power goes out. I would really only need to run mine enough to keep the refrigerator (that I don't have yet ) cold, which doesn't take much. Keep in mind that you have electrical, pneumatic (including a compressor) and cordless most likely in the even of an outage. IMO, if you insualte properly you could heat that space up minimally. That goes for the living areas also. What's your plan for the living space?
I can't speak on the infared heaters. I can tell you in our shop we used 2 mini splits we installed ourselves & spray foam insulation. It stays cool in the summer & warm in the winter & the electric bill isn't bad at all. I only have one roll up door & one man door, no windows. It's comfortable 24/7 365. It works well enough I plan to do the same when we move to the new spot in Okiehoma.
Those infrared heaters do a great job at maintaining a set temperature. I’m considering one when I build my new shop. I’m in Indiana though.
Referring to infrared heaters? I'm not too familiar with them, I have a small Mr. Heater with a portable propane tank that I exchange. In almost 20 years I have used about 4-5 tanks for my heat, in a 10x20 accessory building I had built in 2005. I insulated it with R-13, and it has been easy to heat, I would more like cooling. I was planning to take my Mr. Heater to my new shop. I will use wood to heat the home. To give me an idea, how much would an infrared heater cost to keep a 30x40 shop warm? You confirm that the mini-splits do in fact warm. How much do the mini-splits cost on average? I might be able to get away with one mini-split in the home, and one in the shop. Home is 2400 sq.ft., but 1000 sq.ft. would be more typical as I wouldn't use the basement too much, I'd like to put a sauna down there and be able to use that space as a room as well. My plan has been to use wood, but wood is pretty messy. Hadn't really thought about using a mini-split in the home, it's 28x32, 3 floors. Main and 2nd floor are probably similar to my shop, but stacked. Can the mini-splits handle more than 1 duct? My master bedroom is on the main floor, along with living room and kitchen, living room is open to 2nd floor loft. I don't want to derail Roothawg's thread.
As far as cost I can’t speak to that but pretty much every industrial building built around here is heated by them and it gets cold here. If there was a better, cheaper heat source they wouldn’t be.
I don't want to muddy up Roots thread to much here. Our mini splits are heat pump style, ductless & mount right to the wall. 2 indoor units connect to the single condenser outside. 2k square ft shop, 14 foot sidewalls. Open cell over a layer of closed cell spray foam insulation. Had a local friend/hot rodder in the AC business give us all the info & purchased them through his dealer at his cost. 2015 prices: 547.50$ X2 inside units 2,672.50 Condenser, Line sets 76.44 X2 Insulation wrap, PVC for drain, wiring, branch box, adapters ect... brought the total cash outlay of 4,500.12$ The insulation was the "ouch" price. Without looking back at the reciept it was between 12&13k. It works amazing but damn... Truth told we mainly worry about AC here in N.TX as we rarely get below freezing temps. So if I'm working in the shop 60° is plenty comfortable.
One thing about tube heaters, is that since they heat objects and not air, when you open a door to get a car in or out you don't loose all your heat. All the stuff in your shop is still warm.
I think therein lies the real issue, I don't have cold climate either. However, in Oklahoma it could be a lot different, that's why I was trying to understand. I need to research current prices on the mini-splits, but I know a few people that have installed them and VERY pleased. One is in Ohio.
I’ve worked in a shop with this type of heat and I agree that you need a hot air heater in addition. I don’t like this type of heat because the bottom and sides of the car are always cold. If I was starting out with a clean slate I would do in floor hot water heat. Not sure where you are located but if you drive in snow it’s great for removing any from under your driver, the heat even dries up the floor afterwards. As with radiant heat you should have a forced air heater as well to help with heat loss from doors opening etc.
I think I'll plumb for both. Thw winters here are short. Usually doesn't get cold until Late December/January. Usually lasts til about Feb. So maybe 35-60 days max. If it does get cold, it only lasts a few days and then it thaws out. The shop is roughly 4,000 sf and has 18' sidewalls. It is insulated with the rolled foil back, batt insulation. The house portion is 2000'. It will be spray foamed 10" thick. The shop office, mechanical room and the fabrication shop will be foamed. Here is a link to the shop build. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/dust-bowl-speed-shop-world-headquarters.1306720/
Oklahoma just has ice storms, tornados, extreme heat and drought, earthquakes and watermelon sized hail. Great reasons to stay.
Keep up the info, & you might just stay in a low-neighbor-density area. . Not many downsides to that... . Now, iffen you can add: low-govt-density/control; well you're *near* heaven. . Marcus...
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