Are There Benefits to Working in a Heated Garage?

Hey, guys, we all love our garages, don’t we? They’re where we keep our workbenches, and where we escape to fix things. We store a lot of our stuff out there. For most of us, our garages are so much more than just a place to park our cars. We may use our garages for different reasons, but the point is we use them. And when it’s too cold to spend time in our garages, winters become long, and we become stir crazy! It’s time to install a garage heating system. Put an end to long winters and stir-craziness. Begin working in a heated garage!

Most garages whether attached or detached are anything but insulated. There are no two ways about it. Working in a frigid garage is unpleasant and unproductive.

Blue Frost Heating & Cooling installs garage heating systems that take the bite out of winter’s cold and warm up your workspace. Let’s explore some garage heating options that will keep your garage comfortable to work in and maintain your sanity.

But first … what you need to know before heating a garage

Quite honestly, you never know what you’ll need your garage for on any given day. Tending honey-do’s, fixing flat tires, repairing small appliances or working out, a heated garage is imperative for productivity.

But heating a garage isn’t as simple as buying a space heater. First you must answer these questions:

• What is the size of your garage? Your heater size depends on the garage’s square footage, ceiling height and insulation.
• Is there enough space for a large, installed heater or just enough for a portable heater?
• How much can you afford to spend on a heated garage?
• What are the safety concerns, if any, that must be considered before deciding on a garage heater?

Your options for a heated garage

Now that those important questions have been answered, here are your options:

1. Ceiling-mounted, gas-fired, forced-air
2. Infrared
3. Propane
4. Portable electric

1. Ceiling-mounted, gas-fired, forced-air

Gas-fired, forced-air heaters that mount on the ceiling of a garage are not cheap. They work best when installed in one corner of your garage. To optimize the heat they generate, they should be pointed diagonally across the garage. Here’s a picture. A fan distributes the heated air throughout your garage. Installation requires gas work and a good understanding of ventilation and electrical wiring. Without all that understanding (and a permit), these heaters must be installed by your Blue Frost Heating & Cooling technicians.

If you cut wood or spray paint in your garage, you need a ceiling-mounted unit that heats outside air in a separate combustion chamber. This reduces the risk of internal combustion.

2. Infrared

Infrared heaters heat objects instead of air. You and the floor will be warmed, but the tools inside your tool chest will be cold. Infrared heaters are not energy-efficient, and they cost twice as much as forced-air heaters.

One of the benefits of infrared heaters is how they radiate large concentrations of heat. The heat they generate can be directed right where it’s needed. Since the surface of these heaters can reach 1300 plus degrees Fahrenheit, they must be used a safe distance from other objects, including walls and ceilings.

Because of how hot they get and their lack of built-in ventilation, they’re not the best option for a workspace . However, low-intensity units can be safely installed and operated in a closed garage.

By the way, infrared heaters are pleasant to look at if appearance is important to you.

3. Propane

There are a number of options for heating your garage if you decide to go with a propane heater.

Propane heaters are powerful, radiant heaters essentially. A propane heater uses a fan to force air over the heating element. Heat is distributed evenly throughout the garage.

They are inexpensive to run and heat up your garage quickly. But safety must be considered when using a propane heater in your garage.

• Good ventilation – Propane heaters require good ventilation. You need to leave a window or the garage door open when using a propane heater. And so much for a warm garage!
• Water vapor – Propane heaters produce lots of water vapor which condenses on the ceiling, walls and floor. If you keep your tools in your garage, they will eventually get rusty.
• Potential combustion risk – Propane heaters burn fuel directly. Is there a potential combustion risk from dust or chemicals in the air where you are working? If so, don’t heat your workspace with a propane heater!

4. Portable Electric

Portable electric heaters are simple to use and can be effective for heating a small space in a small garage. They have a tough time working well in extreme temperatures. But portable, electric garage heaters produce enough heat to do a decent job in small garages.

If they are ceiling- or wall-mounted, they still differ from the gas-fired, forced-air heaters in their installation. Their installation is more straightforward than the that of gas-fired, forced-air heaters. Most portable, electric garage heaters are less expensive than ceiling- or wall-mounted, gas-fired, forced-air heaters, too.

These small, radiant and fan-forced heaters may be not the most economical option for a heated garage, but they can be effective when heating a particular work area. Because of their small size, they can be moved easily as your work area changes, again providing the winter temps are not extreme.

So what is the best heater for a heated garage?

Blue Frost Heating & Cooling recommends ceiling-mounted, gas-fired, forced-air units that are rated for residential use.

Check out the top-rated garage heaters here and let us know what you think. We welcome your questions, comments and feedback.

Your home is an investment. Turning your garage into a heated garage is essentially like adding another room onto your house. Make the most of your workspace without shelling out the cash for an addition. Call Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 444-0860 today. We install garage heating systems that generate heat in the winter and circulate air in the summer.

Blue Frost Heating & Cooling

Cooling, Plumbing, Heating

Your leader in home comfort and customer service for 25 years.

Call (630) 444-0860 or click here for maintenance, repairs or replacement.