How to heat garage safely this winter?

[MrClancy]

Thought I'd ask the group the best way to temporarily heat my garage during the winter, and ask what others have done successfully? I have my project on one side of a two car garage and want to work on it for a couple hours each evening. I thought that perhaps one of those heaters that attach to the top of a propane tank might work, but hear different things about the carbon monoxide that those may or may not generate. Does anyone have any successes or warnings about what might be a good solution? I don't want to install an expensive Modine or other heater, so am looking for an economical temporary solution. Thanks!

[kilrwail]

A standalone kerosene heater - about 24"L x 10"W x 15"H - can work very well for a small area. You can move it around to cover different areas where you might be standing. I used to have one in my previous house which had an unheated but insulated garage - no ill effects on my health. I now have a permanent propane heater in one upper corner which heats the whole 2 bay insulated garage nicely, but only when needed.

[RRoller123]

I found that if I go out an hour or so early, and put a small electric space heater on the floor, in front of the car and blowing towards the motor, hood down or slightly open (unlatched), the block mass picks up and holds a lot of heat and it is very comfortable working anywhere in the engine bay even when the rest of the garage is pretty cold. My space heater is really small too.

[courtenay]

Is your garage insulated? If not, you're going to want something that will direct heat towards you and your car. You can get an infrared heater that should work well doing that. I'm always reluctant to use heaters with an open flame when working on cars. I have an insulated garage and a 220V shop heater that does a pretty good job of heating the garage up to a reasonable temperature - as long as I'm wearing my fleece vest as well. Pete's (roller) idea is a smaller version of what I have, but in an uninsulated garage wouldn't be much use IMHO.

[riverdadd]

I find that my shop work lights generate a surprising amount of heat. 2 -500 watt halogen lamps on a tripod..... you need light anyways!!

i'm not saying it will warm a whole shop, but they get toasty

[Justice777]

Thought I'd ask the group the best way to temporarily heat my garage during the winter, and ask what others have done successfully? I have my project on one side of a two car garage and want to work on it for a couple hours each evening. I thought that perhaps one of those heaters that attach to the top of a propane tank might work, but hear different things about the carbon monoxide that those may or may not generate. Does anyone have any successes or warnings about what might be a good solution? I don't want to install an expensive Modine or other heater, so am looking for an economical temporary solution. Thanks!

I'm looking in to heating options as well. A friend has a propane fired I.R. wall mounted heater in his finished basement where they play pool. Been using it for a few years. One of these:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... _200664873
I am also concerned about CO. He has a CO detector in same room that has never warned about excess CO, and did mention that he notices a bit more moisture condensate on inside of windows. I suppose the water vapor is a by-product of the combustion?
If considering one of these you'll need the regulator, bottle, and line. Price is definitely right though.

[PhillySpider]

I have an electric space heater, nothing special, that makes my 2 car garage toasty here in NE PA. Turned it on before dinner the other night and the display said 32 degrees...Went out a couple hours later and it was 53. Left it on overnight a couple times in the cold to get smacked with 73 degree heat in the face...

[spidernut]

I bought a free standing, portable air conditioner/heater. I got it in the scratch and dent section at a furniture store for $75 which was a smoking hot deal since they retail for over $500. I can stay comfortable winter or summer!

https://www.rcwilley.com/Appliances/Hea ... gIMB_D_BwE

[JohnMc]

I purchased an IR heater from Harbor Freight https://www.harborfreight.com/400900-wa ... 62313.html Cheap and works ok. Of course have to have it near you as IR heats objects not air.
Beware of propane or kerosene heaters used in garages. If you must use them put a carbon monoxide (CO) detector inside the garage.
I am retiring next week after 42 of industrial safety and have investigated 2 major CO incidents in 500,000 sq ft warehouses where all employees had to be evacuated and 9 taken to hospitals. Culprit in both was 1 propane forklift that was tuned badly. Levels of the 36 foot high warehouse was over 300 parts per million.
Also, if you must use propane or kerosene heaters bring a friend or wife that smokes. They will be hit first and will probably pass out before you even feel anything. Their blood is already saturated.
CO is colorless, tasteless and odorless.
Hate to lose any Fiat 124 people for this in the holidays!!!

[Frog2Spider]

I installed a duckless heat/air pump system a couple of years ago. Perfect 70 degrees, winter and summer. The 220v electrical was already available, so the total cost was under $1,000. Beautiful!
Dave.

[Billholtzman]

My two car garage is not insulated and I use a, "tank top" propane heater. It works great but, every four hours or so you need to open the door to let new air recirulate.
Good Luck,
Bill in MD

[MrClancy]

Thanks everybody for your great replies. My garage is a detached, 2 car that measures 20 x 20 feet with an 8 foot ceiling and loft space above. I just insulated the ceiling with R-30 (about 300 linear feet) which cost about $375 for materials. The walls were already insulated. I decided on an electric ceiling mount unit, about 17,000 BTU's, 20 Amps, 240 volts. I looked at the Modine units, which are top quality, but also cost quite a bit. The one I was looking at was close to $700 plus installation. I found a unit at Northern Tool however, which matched the specs but cost only $79.00, on sale from $149. They're still on sale if anyone is interested. Seemingly crazy cheap, but it seems solid and well made, and includes a thermostat that's built in. An electrician friend of mine is going to wire it in for me this week. I'll let everyone know how it works out!! It's been cold as hell here in the Northeast this month.. looking forward to warming up that garage.

[scrapironchef]

One thing to consider adding to any of these heating solutions is a ceiling fan, Heat rises, a fan pushing it back down can make all the difference.

[Justice777]

One thing to consider adding to any of these heating solutions is a ceiling fan, Heat rises, a fan pushing it back down can make all the difference.

Great advise. I put a box fan facing up / down on a pair of saw horses. Seems the trick is to get my concrete floor warm, and also objects in the garage. Since I'm usually in there all day Sat. and Sun. Sat. morning takes an hour or so to warm things up but after that it doesn't take much to heat.

[RRoller123]

Just a cautionary note: All Building Codes that I have encountered are skeptical of ceiling mounted heating systems in Garages, as they could be hit by an incoming vehicle. I was able to convince the Building Inspector that because my propane heating system and all of its supply piping and venting was entirely contained above the height of the garage door opening, and was installed in a corner, it was OK. Just something to keep in mind. Had I not designed in a 10 foot ceiling height versus 9, it would have been a real issue and I likely would have been forced into some other sort of system.