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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Shop Heaters

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9NJoe

12-28-2004 10:45:44




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Hi All, I have been around and around on this subject and am looking for some opinions. I have a 20x30 machine shop in an out building. Over the years, I have tried numerous heat systems. First, I had a direct vent 30,000 BTU propane heater but that was inadequate due to the low BTU and the propane not vaporizing in the cold. So I tried a small boxwood heater type wood stove, supposedly rated at 90,000 BTU. That was not so good because it took forever to get up to temperature. So I bit the bullet and got a 150,000 BTU kerosene torpedo heater but that put out an enormous amount of moisture and started to rust everything in the shop. Last week, I had enough, so I ordered an indirect fired portable kerosene heater to the tune of $1800. This is the one with a heat exchanger so it is rated for habitable spaces. Basically this thing is like a home furnace system on wheels. I am hoping that this will solve my problems and allow me to use my shop in the cold cold winter.

My question is what are you guys using to heat your shops? Electric is out because my service is too small. Do you use propane, or kerosene? direct or indirect fired? catalytic or open flame? does anyone notice a lot of water from a kerosene heater? are there any additives I can put in the fuel that will get rid of the moisture?

Joe

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RickL

12-29-2004 06:30:42




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to 9NJoe, 12-28-2004 10:45:44  
I use radiant tube heaters. Love them no more blowing hot air or cool air. Just heat objects get warm also. Quiet.



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Butch(OH)

12-28-2004 21:34:49




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to 9NJoe, 12-28-2004 10:45:44  
My shop is 26x62 with little insulation, I dont heat it all the time, only when I am working and I heat three ways. I bought a huge hanging forced air furnce that runs on natural gas. Will warm the shop from bitter cold to decent in nothing flat. They are very cheap used around here as full time shops and factorys replace them with fuel efficient equipment. I hung the furnace but had the flue and gas lines professionaly installed and the unit inspected and repaired (gas line was already inside the shop) and I think I had $900 in the whole deal. If I am going to work for more than a couple hours I fire up the wood stove to save a few bucks, I also get get of my used oil in that stove with a crude drip system. I probably average 2-3 evenings a week in the shop and half the Saturdays all day. I also get lazy and dont fire up the wood when I should, average gas bill last winter was $75, I also burned a 1/2 a cord of wood and a drum of used oil. I am not sure how natural gas cost compares to propane which you would need. If you are in the shop more often than I am there comes a point where it is cheaper to keep it warm than to re heat it.

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oldart

12-29-2004 18:55:24




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to Butch(OH), 12-28-2004 21:34:49  
if yuo dont use a stack or a chimbney you will get condensate moisture pluse carbonmonxide to put up with if you live through it. insulate the walls put a ceiling up and insulate get rid of air leaks to save your heat it will pay off in the long run art.



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Mike M

12-28-2004 12:55:59




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to 9NJoe, 12-28-2004 10:45:44  
Water vapor is a byproduct of burning any type of fuel. So if you don't want stuff to rust you must use a vented heater. I have heated our shops with fuel oil mobile home furnaces,hang them on the wall and make a distribution box on the bottom for the air flow.I'm getting tired of the high maintenance required to keep them running. In my new pole building I insulated it pretty good R19 side R30 ceiling and used a steel liner panel it is 32X48 with 10 foot ceiling.I bought a 45,000 btu hanging power vented LP heater from Mr. Heater called Big Maxx everyone said I'd need more btu from 60,000 to 80,000 I'm glad I didn't listen to them as that 45,000 seems to do fine and was alot cheaper price.

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Jacob LeBaron

01-18-2005 19:12:35




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to Mike M, 12-28-2004 12:55:59  
Thanks for the input. I have a 30X45 building everyone is also telling me to use 80 to 90000 btu's. Your statements may have sold me the Big Maxx. You should ask them for commission..... ...thank you



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LUCASS

12-28-2004 11:50:28




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to 9NJoe, 12-28-2004 10:45:44  
HAVE 30X50X12BLOCK SHOP .HEAT IT WITH 85,000 BTU NAT GAS HOUSE TYPE FURNACE .IT WORKS GOOD ,RUNS ALOT.LUCASS



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VADAVE

12-28-2004 10:58:20




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to 9NJoe, 12-28-2004 10:45:44  
Sounds like you've spent a few bucks on heaters.
My shop is in Virginia and is 30 X 40 with 15 foot ceilings. I have a hanging 150,000 BTU propane heater, this has a fan in it and is controlled with a thermostat. To just take off the chill i use a 96,000 BTU kerosene room heater. I have not had any trouble with the furnace lighting but then we don't usually get below 0 degrees.



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dr.sportster

12-29-2004 09:32:48




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 Re: Shop Heaters in reply to VADAVE, 12-28-2004 10:58:20  
Carhart coveralls.



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