Garage heat options

[HaywardBound]

Anyone know where I can get a LP heater for my 25 X 25 garage? I'd like to get something as inexpensive as possible.

I have a detatched garage so I'm thinking LP would be easier than having someone run a natural gas line from my house to the garage$$...about 50 feet.

If I could find an old house furnace, can you convert it to LP?

I do have a wood burning barrel now, but I want something easier and cleaner.

Thanks.

[krats]

HaywardBound,

I have a heater for sale, go to the "used gear for sale" forum. I can send you pics if you are interested.

[HaywardBound]

Thanks, I responded in the other forum.

That brings up the other question of how much it would cost to convert NG to propane?

[looking 4 a 30]

all you have to do is buy the conversion kit, and change the orifaces from natural to LP. fairley inexpensive under $40. If you need help hooking up gas or venting e-mail me.

[backlash 1]

Hayward,

If you have the tech to convert a nat to LP furnace and run gas lines and hook ups, you will have no problem tapping off your nat gas line to your house, burying a soft copper line down to your garage and running a heater off of nat gas.

Take it from a plumber, nat gas will be a piece of cake to run down there, cheaper to operate, no LP tanks to keep full, and no insurance claim from trying to convert over!

[HaywardBound]

Thanks so far for the info.

backlash 1...are you a plummer? What do you think it would cost to have someone bury a gas line about 50 feet, hook it up, and all that?

krats, thanks for the picts...I'm thinking about it.

I have a buddy that has an old house furnace that he will sell for $30. Not as much BTU's as krats, but the price is right.

So...what do you think:

$30....Furnace

$75....Propane tank

$60....Propane (I think)

$40....Conversion

$40....Other stuff I may need

----------------

$245 initial cost

???

[MSRiverdog]

Start watching the Craiglist you might find a free or cheap one you don't have to mess with if you're not in a big hurry.

[looking 4 a 30]

50' 1/2 copper-$50

istalled ??? i would bid you around $150 IF YOU TRENCH, hook up probally around $50. another thing you should consider is if you are low pressure ( 1/2# ) or high pressure ( 2#) that will determine the size and regulation of said gas line. I do this for a living (HVAC) and these $'s are pretty close. Also consider venting probally around $200.

[backlash 1]

Hayward

Looking 4 a 30 is calling it pretty close for you. Not knowing your mechanical ability, really, you could have a lot of the work done ahead of time, such as trenching, set and vent furnace, etc.

Anything you can do ahead of time to save the plumber or HVAC man time will help.

I'm guessing plumber rates down there are pushing $100-$125 pr hr, and I would say at least 2 hrs if you can get all the prep work done.

Sure is nice to have a heated garage though. Good luck.

[JohnMickish]

Not to throw a wrench in your thoughts but have you considered electric? No gas lines or tanks, and this year it will probably be cheaper to heat with electric than gas. Traditionally gas has been the way to go but I don't know anymore.

[Animal]

I had a new Modine 75K BTU Hotdog Celing Heater installed this year for $750.00. The gas line was already in place. This unit was discounted about $200. Not bargain basement, but new equipment and vented. Northern Supply has some similar units for about $450 to $500. Check out the new stuff as it always seems to to be a better deal and less headaches in the long run.

I'd also check with your local gas company and your city to see what their connection rules are. Some communities require a licensed plummer. In addition, you should check with your insurance company as they may wish to take a look at your installation. Should you have a fire or worse you could find yourself with coverage problems. Better safe than sorry.