Game Changer Heat & A/C In the Shop

[JCM 10,583]

Back in 2009 I installed a Modine 45,000 BTU Hot Dawg LP heater in the garage. Only time it got used was in the  Fall / Winter when a tractor needed to come in for whatever to be out of the elements. In 2024 I bought another one for the shop, a 30,000 sealed combustion type , same brand with a Summer switch as well. Finally this past fall I installed it. When I was working full time I just didn't have the time to do it but always wanted a heated shop like I had at my last residence. I have been out there for the past month sorting, rearranging and throwing things out, etc,etc. I also added another workbench, just need to paint it in the Spring. I built the bench so I could get a WH under it on one end and made a brace back to the 6x6 PT post. Really enjoying my time spent out there and finding parts everywhere. Trying to label everything and find a home for it. Been on average 20 degrees out there upon entrance and climbing to 60 degrees within 35 minutes. Shop is 12' x 22. Searching on McMaster Carr for rubber mat for the floor. That opened up a can of worms, a LOT to choose from. Probably do that in the Fall. Also, on the back wall I framed an opening and installed a Friedrich 8000 BTU A/C unit.Still a bit to go but nice to get organized again.

[Sparky-(Admin) 24,507]

Yep! 
  I’m jealous!
  I need to get serious and finish insulating my garage and then put in a better heating unit.

[squonk 45,310]

My garage is 12' X 24' and I heat it with a 24,000 BTU Empire Direct Vent Propane wall heater. R11 insulation in the ceiling and walls. It's 3° with the chill at -15°. I put the t stat on the lowest setting last night and it was 40° in there this afternoon when I needed to go out and get something. I only run the heat when I'm out there or like now when they predicted 6" of snow or more and I wanted the loader oil warmed up just in case.

 

There was a window in the back wall to a smaller uninsulated shop but I took that out years ago and installed an 18,000 BTU Carrier window shaker running R22 that I got from my brother's printing shop. I only run that if it's a zillion ° outside.

[Achto 30,723]

Walked in the ole corn crib this morning and it was 7f. Wood stove & the kerosene torpedo heater got er up to 70f in about 3hrs. All this so I can get some painting done.

[JoeM 9,533]

I heat mine to 50 and keep it there, I so no difference in the electric bill vs going cold to warm. 

Do a couple weld jobs in a month and the cost of heating the shop is insignificant. 

It is nice to walk in and everything is not cold as ice and I can jump right in. 

[Beap52 1,950]

I keep my shop about 50 degrees.  I've got paint, flowers that we are keeping alive and I'm out there pretty much every day and other stuff I don't want to freeze.  I have a propane wall hung ventless heater with a fan above to circulate the air.  It works great until a board is sawn or a spray from aerosol  can in which case the door are opened for fresh air.  Not only does it stink, I  can bring tear to a fellow's  eyes.  I try to do all spraying outside.  Then a couple years ago I installed a ceiling hung electric heater.  I made a holder so I could install  furnace filter behind and therefore capture sawdust before it goes through the heater.  This works very well.  

 

I keep the propane heater at about 50 and kick on the electric when I want additional heat. 

[ebinmaine 77,008]

3 hours ago, JCM said:

rubber mat for the floor

 

 

Workshop space is looking great Jim! 

 

For those floor mats we went to TSC and got horse stall mats. 

Very reasonable prices but they're not as soft and fluffy as a standard expensive people floor mat.  

 

Horse mats will likely outlive the building though...

 

[JCM 10,583]

Those ventless heaters are dangerous. Not recommended. Hopefully you have a carbon monoxide detector as I do in the shop. BE SAFE PLEASE .   @Beap52 That second piece of vent pipe brings in fresh air from outdoors on the shop heater.