Electric garage heater

[pisces]

My wife got me an electric heater for the garage, 5000W, uses 240V electric, which I have access to in the garage. I like the ease of installation and not having to mess with propane or gas etc., but I would like to hear your experiences to answer this question: "will it be sufficient, or do I need to return it and add more $ to get a "Hot Dawg" type gas unit?"

Garage is 22x22 attached, concrete slab, door is insulated and pretty airtight, walls are insulated, ceiling is sheetrocked but not insulated (9 feet). I do not intend to keep it heated all times, just want something that will make it reasonably warm enough to work without gloves on the occasional weekend when I need to work on the machines or something.

So, before I take it out of the box and render it unreturnable ???? Any input will be valued. Thanks

[Sylvan75]

You should not have a problem with said heater. I use a similar heater in my garage for occasional weekend projects. You may want to turn it on the night before you plan to work out there, since it usually takes mine a half day to get up to a comfortable temperature. (I also use a ceiling fan to keep the heat circulating). I have not noticed a huge jump in my elec bill either. Good luck.

[cliffy]

I think it would work just fine for what you want. I have a oversized three stall garage and the same sort of heating set up. However, the ceiling is insulated. I like to keep it around 40 degrees to melt the snow of the vehicles..etc. I would probably gone with floor heat or a bigger heater if I was the type of guy that was going to be working on my car, spending time on the floor under the truck..etc.

Good luck.

[walleyeseeker]

Without insualtion in the ceiling, your heater will struggle to keep up. When we build houses and garages, a minimum of R19 in the ceiling(2X6) makes a world of difference. With a little insulation, this heater is more than adequate.

[pisces]

Thanks everyone, good feedback. I think I'll go with this unit and add insulating the ceiling to my project list for next summer.

[MNice]

FYI, doing a quick google, I found 5000 watts = 17060 BTU. Maybe a little small, but shold do what you want.

[Roofer]

Get a buddy and buy the insulation from a lumberyard and rent the blower. It is normally free if you buy enough insulation. Easy job for two people and well worth it. Th garage will feel alot warmer and alot cooler in the summer. being it is already sheetrocked, the hard part is done.

[pisces]

You're suggesting blowing insulation on top of the sheetrock(from above/attic)?.Why would this be preferred over rolling out fiberglass rolls?

[sparcebag]

Ya can go either way.I thing they were suggesting the cheapest route.

[Roofer]

Blown-in insulation is cheaper and it's better.

[Pooh]

blown my be a little be messier but it will be much better insulation that rolled oiut fiberglass inn the attic space. i think you would probly need about 8-10 inches. 14 inches is about a R50