I run a propane heater that utilizes a fan to distribute the heat. I run it for 1/2 hour before I start working and then shut it off. My garage stays warm for an hour or two. I can always turn the heater back on if needed. I will open the garage door a bit to vent the room.

Al

 

Hot Dawg has been installed since 2007. Been a great heater for the 3 car garage. Bought it from qcsupply.com for cheap.

 

The problem with unvented propane heaters is that the combustion process produces a lot of moisture.

A heater such as the Modine Hot Dawg will vent the combustion gases to the outside.

If you only work in the garage once in a while, a portable ventless system is probably ok, but if you spend a lot of time in the garage, you really need to insulate it and install a proper heater that is vented to the outside. You won`t regret it.

 

I've got a single car detached garage. When I want to use it during the winter months, I just pull the truck out and use torpedo kerosene heater.
Place the heater outside and pull the door own to about 2 ft
Noise and fumes outside
Heat inside

YMMV

 

www.northerntool.com - vent-less gas wall heaters

 

LP gas in a 24X28 insulated shop. Keep it about 52* but just takes minutes to heat up. About $400/yr.

 

I have a one of these 20,000 BTU ventless gas heaters in 650 sqft garage.


3 of the 4 sides are underground but not inuslated. I turn it on about a half an hour before I work in there and its warm enough to work in a t-shirt. It doesn't have a fan so no need for electricity.

It cycles on and off on a thermostat. I have $75 in gas pipe that I installed myself, and bought the heater on craigslist for $60, and for peace of mind I put a $30 CO monitor with digital ppm reading in the garage.

 

I have 2 17000 BTU electric heaters in my garage. One the front half much like the Fahrenheat Electric Utility Heater and the other one on the back half so I can tailor where the heat is concentrated. I have a bit of an issue with an open flame left alone with my 60 Vette, 87 Grand National and my Harley. A small gasoline leak could be bad.

 

I bought a used woodstove a few years back that heats both by radiance and by heating hot water or antifreeze. It is big enough to heat a 3000 sq ft. house. I have it in the workshop and it will roast me out of there if I put too much wood in it. I don't have the water part hooked up cause I don't need it. I plan on tearing the shop down in a couple years (or sooner). When I do that I will build a garage with second floor and put radiant heat in the floor and baseboard hot water upstairs. I will also hook it into my hot water heat in the house so I can use less gas.

 

Pack up & move to Florida.

We don't need heat in out garages here.

But A/C sure is nice in the summer.