October is here and you've just started noticing the cool air. Before you're shivering in your garage while cleaning up or warming your hands with breath in your shop while finishing some woodwork, consider purchasing a heater to warm your work space. The need for heat is simple, but making the decision about which heater can be confusing, I've put together a few ideas to consider before buying. If you have something to add or have a question, please feel free to respond through comments below.
What is a BTU rating? Simply put, a heater's BTU rating, or British Thermal Unit rating, refers to the amount of heat it takes to heat one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. This heat rating transfers to your space with a simple calculation. Measure the dimensions of the space you'd like to warm. Height is important here as well, so be as accurate as possible. Multiply your square footage by the height of your ceiling to determine the overall volume of the area. Multiply that number by 4 if there is poor insulation, 3 for average insulation, and 2 or good insulation. Although this isn't an exact means of determining the necessary BTU rating, it will give you a very good idea! Often times, the tendency is to overestimate the necessary BTU output to heat your space; this can price you out of heating your garage or shop as heaters with higher BTU outputs are often much more expensive. Note: It is a good idea to buy a heater that supplies a BTU output that is a little higher than you need. This will allow for less energy use and a longer life for the heater you choose.
So you've figured out how much heat this bad boy needs to give off, but what kind of heat? There are a number of heating options for this sort of application. Generally, the most versatile heating option as far as temperature control and mobility are Forced Air Heaters, some of which come in the Torpedo Heater style. These heaters range in output from 35,000 BTU up to 600,000 BTU. You can imagine the price difference throughout the range as well. Generally, an average sized garage or shop will require a heater on the lower end of that output range.
Another very popular heating style for garage and shops is radiant heat. Radiant heaters come in a variety of styles including: Portable Radiant Heaters and Radiant Tube Heaters. Portable versions are easy to move, fairly light weight, smaller in size, and perfect for heating a garage. Tube heaters need to be mounted on ceilings or hung from rafters which makes them more of a hassle to get started. Either option can be connected to an existing natural gas line or a propane source.
The last popular heating source for garages are typically convection heaters. Convection heaters are very quiet and require no electricity, which makes them a great option for rural locations with workshops. These high-end heaters are manufactured by Enerco and LB White.
Bottom line is, after you determine your BTU output, heater style is mainly preference. For more information on heating and types of industrial heaters, check out this Heaters Buying Guide. Over the course of the Fall and Winter months, I will be highlighting specific heaters and posting more information about the different heating types. If you're heating spaces other than garages or shops, consider taking a look at Construction Heaters, Agricultural Heaters, and Event Heaters.