The garage occupies almost a fifth of the home’s total floor area yet it is one of the most underutilized spaces. Because of the lack of proper insulation inside the space, garages are rarely used other than housing vehicles and hardware tools. This is especially true during the winter season as the cold temperatures can make the space uninhabitable. With the advent of garage heaters, the space is given new meaning and purpose. Through the use of heaters, homeowners can utilize the space regardless of the existing temperatures outside the home. Homeowners can convert the extra space into a workshop and create projects, fix the vehicle or create additional storage space. There are many types of heaters to suit the needs and preferences of homeowners and residents. Read on to find out more about your garage heater options.
Types of Garage Heaters
There are four main types of heaters, depending on the type of fuel used to run the device. These include the electric, gas and propane-fuelled garage heaters. In some regions, you may also find wood-burning and oil-fuelled heaters. However, such heaters are not considered suitable because the fuel does not burn cleanly. As such, additional effort is required to run and maintain the system.
Electric Garage Heaters
Out of the three main categories, it is the electric garage heater which is considered the most efficient as all of the electrical energy is converted into heat. Heaters that run on electricity are cheaper than other types. They are also cleaner as the heater does not expel any type of gas waste. With minimal maintenance required, electric garage heaters last longer than other types of heaters. One major downside is the cost of running electric heaters. Electricity is expensive. If you intend to use the device for longer periods of time, you may want to consider other types to save on resources.
Electric Garage Heaters
Natural Gas Garage Heaters
Natural gas garage heaters are some of the most popular on the market. Natural gas is cheap and readily available in many areas. Garage heaters that use natural gas produce negligent amounts of waste gas. The gas burns clean and requires little maintenance. Heat is also generated quickly. If your house is plumbed for gas and you know a shop that can hook it up to your garage, this type of heater is worth considering.
Propane Garage Heaters
Propane garage heaters are available in a wide range of prices, depending on the features you are looking for. If you do not have access to a natural gas line then a propane-fuelled heater is an alternative. You can buy portable propane tanks and have them filled in stations that sell this type of fuel. However, heaters that run on propane gas do not burn as clean as natural gas. The space needs to be well-ventilated to remove some of the noxious fumes out of the garage.
Choosing Garage Heaters for the Home
With all the different types, brands and models of garage heaters available on the market, selecting the most suitable type can be a real challenge. There are a few major factors to consider that can make the selection easier. First is the type of fuel available in your area. If you do not have access to a natural gas line or a station that sells propane, then your only choice is an electric heater.
For homes that have access to all types of fuel, you will need to compare the cost of running and maintaining the different types of garage heaters. You will need to think about the size of the room, the distance between the walls and the ceiling height. As a general guide, a two to three car garage will need a British Thermal Unit or BTU rated between 25,000 and 35,000.
Another consideration is safety. There are many portable types of heaters that can be placed on the floor. However, if you have kids and pets, it is better to get a heater that can be hung from the ceiling or higher up the wall.
Popular Models of Garage Heaters
NewAir G73 Electric Garage Heater
NewAir’s garage heaters can produce 5,000 watts worth of heating power. These can warm up spaces of up to 500 square feet. Use of the built-in thermostat allows users to accurately control and maintain room temperature within the space. Its louvers are adjustable, allowing you to direct the warm air towards a particular area. Best of all is its safety feature that automatically turns off the device once it begins to overheat.
Kozy World KWN321 30,000-BTU Natural-Gas Heater
Kozy’s model heats up spaces as large as 1,000 square feet. This device utilizes an electric ignition system that allows for quick start-ups. The product can be mounted on the wall using brackets. Its safety feature includes an internal mechanism that monitors oxygen levels inside the space.
Mr Heater MH18B Propane Portable Heater
Also referred to as the “Big Buddy,” these garage heaters can heat up spaces of up to 400 square feet in size. Unlike other types of portable heaters, this model from Mr. Heater can also be mounted on the wall. Its safety feature includes an automatic shutoff system once the device is tipped over or if low oxygen levels are detected.
Mr. Heater 35,000 BTU Propane Forced-Air Heater
This particular model from the same brand is made to warm up larger garages. With a BTU rating of 35,000, this heater can warm up workshops with areas of up to 800 square feet. The propane-fuelled heater automatically shuts off once the power or flame is extinguished. Proper ventilation must be provided to run propane-fuelled garage heaters.