My shop is a single car garage in Ontario Canada with no heat. In the winter I typically preheat the garage with a propane heater (cracking the overhead door for ventilation) before I start working. I know this creates moisture as a bi-product but fortunately I haven't had any rust issues yet. I always spray my machines down with WD40 and/or way oil when I'm done with them.
I recently purchased a 1500w infrared heater with the idea of keeping it on low (500w) all the time in order to keep the garage slightly above the outside temperature, and turn it up when I'm actually going to work. It's been relatively mild since I bought it so a bit hard to really test it yet, but it doesn't seem to be helping much if at all. I understand that infrared heaters don't heat the air but rather the objects, but was given the impression it would heat the floor and equipment which would then slightly warm the surrounding air. Even set on high though it seems as though it's not really keeping the garage any warmer - I have to literally stand within a few feet directly in front to feel any warmth and am wondering if it's actually making any difference at all by leaving it on.
Anyone else heating their shops with electric heat, even just to raise the temperature a few degrees? Any thoughts on infrared vs other methods? I've met one guy who leaves a couple of spot lights on during the winter, though it seemed unnecessarily inefficient. I know electric is probably the most expensive but it's my only option right now. I was lead to believe that infrared was the most "efficient" way to produce heat electrically, but at $400 for the unit I'm not so sure I made the right decision.
Hello , while it is a bit warmer here- 200 miles from Mexico I heat my shop with a electric heater hung from ceiling, while I don't bring the temp up to 70 I've found found that 45-50 is arm enough with a light jacket on. My shop is 30x40 with 8'6" height with R-19 in walls and R-32 in ceiling. The biggest problem is leaving the heater on when I leave the shop (it is resistance heating with a forced air fan,that turns off when up to temp) My wife is not very kind when the electric bill comes in..My shop is a single car garage in Ontario Canada with no heat. In the winter I typically preheat the garage with a propane heater (cracking the overhead door for ventilation) before I start working. I know this creates moisture as a bi-product but fortunately I haven't had any rust issues yet. I always spray my machines down with WD40 and/or way oil when I'm done with them.
I recently purchased a 1500w infrared heater with the idea of keeping it on low (500w) all the time in order to keep the garage slightly above the outside temperature, and turn it up when I'm actually going to work. It's been relatively mild since I bought it so a bit hard to really test it yet, but it doesn't seem to be helping much if at all. I understand that infrared heaters don't heat the air but rather the objects, but was given the impression it would heat the floor and equipment which would then slightly warm the surrounding air. Even set on high though it seems as though it's not really keeping the garage any warmer - I have to literally stand within a few feet directly in front to feel any warmth and am wondering if it's actually making any difference at all by leaving it on.
Anyone else heating their shops with electric heat, even just to raise the temperature a few degrees? Any thoughts on infrared vs other methods? I've met one guy who leaves a couple of spot lights on during the winter, though it seemed unnecessarily inefficient. I know electric is probably the most expensive but it's my only option right now. I was lead to believe that infrared was the most "efficient" way to produce heat electrically, but at $400 for the unit I'm not so sure I made the right decision.