So you have decided to take on the task of heating your garage. It can be a big job and there is a lot to think about. The most important thing to consider is what you are going to use to heat your garage.
There are many varieties of garage heaters. All have their own benefits and disadvantages. You will need to find the one that works best for you.
Fear not, because we’ve put together a really great Top Ten List of the best garage heaters you can find.
Our list consists of heaters that’ll really do the job of heating your garage based on what it is you want to do. Maybe you just need something to heat your garage while you work on your car. Perhaps you want to convert the garage into a mancave or apartment.
No worries, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look to find out the best way to heat a garage.
5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Heating Solution for Your Garage
1. Floor Area
If you want to convert your garage into a living space for example, you need to consider the floor area. Floor area dictates how powerful your garage heater will need to be to comfortably heat the space. It should be one of your top considerations when planning a garage conversion.
2. BTU Requirements
A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is an international measurement of energy. It measures the rate of energy transfer, not actual energy. For example, it can take 10,000 BTUs to heat a room that is 100 square feet.
A BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Check the BTU output of your heater before purchasing.
3. Drafts
- Drafts are a common problem, but you can get around this by keeping your garage well-insulated.
- Inspect your garage for windows that won’t shut properly.
- Also check for cracks and holes in the structure.
- Your main garage door should also be checked to make sure it seals properly.
4. Cost-Efficiency
Heating your garage can be a great way to save on heating costs in the long term. If your garage is attached to your house, this can be especially cost-effective.
The better sealed your garage is, the less it’ll cost to heat it.
5. Budget
Finding the best budget-friendly garage heating solution for your garage has a lot to do with understanding the different energy sources you have available to you and how the various systems operate.
Each one has its own pros and cons, as well as its own set of installation requirements.
Also Read: How to Keep Tools From Rusting in Garage
Top Ten Best Ways to Heat a Garage
There are garage heaters for every situation you can think of. We’ll be discussing the following:
1. Insulate Your Garage
This will make it much easier to get the heat to reach your garage. If you live in a cold climate, then insulating your garage may be the best idea. It can be difficult to heat a garage without a proper insulation system, so insulating it will make it much easier.
You can use concrete blocks and insulation to fill in the gaps between each block. These will allow for the heat to get to the floor. Make sure to insulate the walls and ceiling to help maintain the heat.
This would be a good project for you to try if you have the tools, or if you can find a contractor to help you.
Also Read: What Is the Difference Between Faced and Unfaced Insulation
2. Space Heaters
Space heaters are great if you are trying to heat a large space. They are powerful, and they can be purchased in both portable and stationary versions.
If you need to heat a garage that is larger than you need, then you will need to get a portable space heater. These heaters can be used in any part of the home and can be placed anywhere. Portable space heaters are often sold as being better for smaller homes.
3. Ductless Heating and Cooling
You may want to consider buying a ductless heater. They can be placed in the ceiling and they run the air vents above your garage. This can be a good option if you like to use your garage a lot.
It is also a good option if you have a house with only one heating system. All you need to do is buy a plug-in model. They are pretty affordable. This kind of heater is most comfortable and it tends to be the most efficient, if it is a good one.
Ductless heaters don’t really require any maintenance at all. Plus, they can be used all year round.
4. Radiant Heating
When you buy a radiant heating heater, you are buying a heating system that is going to be able to heat a garage effectively. Radiant systems is where heat is passed from the floor directly into the ground.
The only downside to this system is that it will heat your garage directly. Plus, you’ll need an existing boiler or you will need to purchase one so it can operate.
In order to avoid this problem, you should consider a ground source heat pump. This system will run under your living room and will transfer the heat from the garage to the living room. It’s a little complicated, but it will work.
5. Convection Heater
As the name suggests, this heater fires hot air and turns it into a fan that comes through the ceiling and hits the floor. This heat makes your home cooler and this is a great option if you only want to heat the garage.
But the big downside is that if you have a chimney then the heat will travel up to your ceiling and create a draft. It also heats up an area that could get very hot during the summer months.
6. Electric Ceiling Panels
This is a very cheap, very effective option. You can get these panels from nearly any quality hardware store. You can set these up where your heater can be kept by a box or just hanging down above the floor.
There are quite a few wiring issues, though. You need to pay close attention to your wiring. The insulation needs to be at least 2.5 inches thick, and the control box needs to be insulated and electrically isolated.
7. Forced Air Heaters
There are numerous methods that can be used to heat a garage, but forced air heaters are the most efficient. Forced air heaters heat up your garage quickly, and they are usually more affordable than other heating methods like electric heaters, space heaters, and gas heaters.
This is because forced air heaters have better insulation than other garage heating equipment, and they use electricity so they don’t require any other equipment besides the heater itself.
8. Infrared Heaters
Almost all infrared heaters work by sending out a mild pulse of infrared radiation. This pulse heats the contents of the device and the space that the infrared pulse hits. The infrared radiation then bounces back and stimulates the occupants of the space that it comes into contact with.
The heat emitted from this effect of the heating device is usually sub-thermal and not visible.
9. Sealed Combustion Heaters
Sealed Combustion Heaters are a type of portable heater that uses gas or propane to heat air. This is different from other types of portable heaters that heat objects or the air in one area. The benefit of using a sealed combustion heater is that it does not emit carbon monoxide.
They are commonly used in heating workshops and in garages where heavy duty machinery is stored. They can also provide effective heat for a large area, which is important when it comes to the size of most garages. They are also highly versatile.
10. Wood Burning Stove
A wood burning stove is considered to be the universal standard for garage heaters. They are made up of an insulated chamber filled with wood or other fuel. They heat up very quickly, so it is easy to start one up.
There are some disadvantages though, such as the noise from the wood, the smoke it produces, and the possibility of having an electrical fire. This will be your biggest challenge, so make sure that you follow the instructions on the stove.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about the best way to heat a garage. Ultimately, you will need to think about what your needs are. You need to consider if you will be using the garage much. Or if you are only going to be using it for storage, and if you want a room temperature garage.
Once you have made up your mind, then you need to pick the best type of heater for your garage. It is possible to heat a garage without going to the trouble of installing a heater.
But the best way to save money and use your garage fully is to get the heater installed.
