Garage Furnace

[Chaddjurg]

I am in the market for a garage furnace and am curious what others have experienced with them. I am looking at either a Modine Hotdawg or a Lennox. I have a 3 stall garage and know that a 45K btu unit would be sufficient, but think that the price difference to the 60K btu unit isn't much more.

I am curious what others might have experienced with these heaters and if they are tough to install. I feel that the hardest part will be exhausting it through the roof (my only option). What is the maintenance on these types of units? Is one better than the other?

[Tom7227]

This is an often discussed subject and you could learn a lot by doing a search and going over old entries. The answers aren't going to change.

[Hoey]

Be especially careful with unvented units as they typically do not meet building codes, but are legal to be sold by home improvement centers. Running the gas line is usually the toughest task if the main is a ways from the garage location. It would be good to get input from an experienced HVAC contractor.

[dustin85]

I have a modine Hot Dawg 45,000Btu. I only heat 2 stalls with it. Rather easy to install/vent. I hired an HVAC guy to run my gas line because I didn't feel comfortable doing that myself. I have had this for a few years with no issues yet. A friend of mine has the same unit-he has had his for several years. He has also not had any problems with his. If you have any questions about installation/maintenance you should be able to do a quick search online and find the manual for the unit you are looking for. They will show you the distance it can be mounted from the ceiling and walls (which I think is about 1 inch or more, if you want)If I remember right, it shows you a couple options for venting. I'm not sure about codes or anything, but you might want to consider talking to an HVAC person about venting if you are not familiar with how far you can run pipe, or how many bends it can have, etc. Shoot me a msg if you happen to be in the Mankato area. You are welcome to stop by and look at how mine is set up, etc. -Later!

Dustin

[titelines]

I've got a 26' x 27' garage and have the Hot Dawg 45,000 btu. Works great! It was installed when we built, and the HVAC guy offered to do it almost for free (since he was there doing everything else) so I didn't do any of it myself.

[Back2Dakota]

This is an often discussed subject and you could learn a lot by doing a search and going over old entries. The answers aren't going to change.

Could have worded this a little different-the last part you should have just stuck your typing finger in your ear instead of typing. 3 stall go with 60+. You will make up the $ difference when using less fuel. If the 45 fires twice in the hour and the 60+ once there ya go. Reznor are a little more but are suprisingly quiet compared to Modine. But if that is of no concern save the money.

[MuleShack]

Hot Dawg here too for 6 years with no issues.

[Down Deep]

I have a free standing 30 X 36 with a Hot Dawg 75,000 and this unit provides more than enough heat. The garage is insulated and rocked. I don't leave it on all the time and the unit will have the garage warm enough to work in a sweatshirt in 15 to 20 minutes in the dead of winter. Not sorry at all that I have this unit.

[nonteepical]

i've got a resnor 75,000 btu in a 26x26 detached. start the heat in november/december set it at 55 and it runs till march on 220 gallons of propane.

[LundExplorer]

I have a Hotdawg in my 3 stall attached garage and it will absolutely roast you out of there if you wanted it to. I don't keep it running all of the time, its on only when its really cold and I need to work in the garage. I'd think that the only difference is how fast you want it to warm up, with my garage it is not an issue, 10 minutes and it is warm enough to work.