elec or gas

[picksbigwagon]

Okay, gotta get the garage heater going in the garage. I just looked int he basement and Natural gas line into the garage is an option, or 220v since the breaker box is in the garage. obnly negative for the gas would be placement, right next to where my wife parks her vehicle. We do have 10' ceilings in the garage so it could be mounted higher up but not sure is that is the best thing either....what do you all recommend. Also, can you give me ballpark estimates as to installation costs?

Also, anyone running elecctric (220v) in their garage? what does it do to your monthly bill?

I am not wanting a sweatlodge in the garage, but a nice 50 or 55 all winter long would be super

[Eric Wettschreck]

Gas is cheaper than current flow, big time.

Install costs are what they are. If you're doing everthing yourself you're not paying labor. If you're paying to have it done.................You're going to hire a plumber and electrician if it's gas. If going electric you'll prolly just hire a sparky.

If it were me it would be a no brainer and I wouldn't even think aboot it. Iffin you have a gas line handy I'd be going gas all the way. Placement really isn't that big a problem. Get a hanging unit and life is good.

[delcecchi]

And even gas can get spendy, depending on how often you go in and out, if we have another winter like last.

[Powerstroke]

Gas can get spendy too, but it won't get more expensive than electric. The cost of heat is what it is and if you want to heat the garage, then its the cost of doing business.

I have a gas furnace in my garage and love it. Its on a thermostat and I keep it at 50-52 all the time and ramp it up for work out there.

[Archerysniper]

Go with the gas and a low temp thermostat it will help save some $$$ if you dont need it 50 all the time.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Last week I installed a couple Hot Dawg heaters in one of our warehouses. It's amazing how much heat they crank out for their BTU rating. Also, their actual size is pretty small compared to other units with the same BTU rating. If it were my garage that's the route I'd be taking right now.

[Tom7227]

A bit of a change if folks don't mind. Where would you put the heater if all options were equal? I'm thinking a diagonal blow on a ceiling unit makes the most sense if you go for a corner and then maybe you'd want it by the door blowing towards the front - assuming that's where your workbench is.

Sorry if changing the topic screws it up for Picks.

I vote for gas as well. With your 10 foot ceilings you'll need some sort of fan(s) if you go with electric.

[Surface Tension]

Natural gas for sure.

The Hot Dog is probably the easiest install.

[Smoker]

We all ways install them in a corner and at an angle blowing at the over head doors

[Macgyver55]

We all ways install them in a corner and at an angle blowing at the over head doors

Thats how I installed mine!

I heat my garage full time, but turn it down to 45 at night. Its a little under 1100 sq.ft (attached) with 2 inch insulated doors. I have a Reznor (gas) 60,000 BTU output. It handles it no problem, recovers easily if the doors are opened to go in and out and I estimate my heating cost at approximately 40 to 50 a month. I can only guess because it is part of my gas bill and I have heated the garage since it was new.

We dont want to talk about what it cost to cool it this summer....

[BoxMN]

FWIW - I have gas furnace (my old home furnace from when I replaced to high effic.) and just an old mercury thermostat. I "slant" the thermostat so that when I have it turned all the way down (about 50 on the gauge) it will keep it at about 36-38 in the garage. Perfect. Some day I will get a better t-stat but for nowit works fine 38ish is perfect to keep heating costs down but also keep everything from freezing, snow melting, and the beer fridge and freezer operating normally. Hitting the t-stat can get the 1000' detatched garage (2" doors and R13 insulation) to 70 in no time.

Good luck, you will love the heated garage!

Also, regarding electric, make sure whatever you use (gas or elect.) it is vented, or you could get moisture problems. I have hanging 220v electric in a "shed" at the cabin, and with no vent it used to condensate (??) pretty quick, and it also is EXPENSIVE if not on off-peak.