Thoughts on heating a workshop

[julianf]

Bit of a thread resurrection / hijack, but I need some heat in my workshop, it’s a very old, draughty barn and is not going to get insulated any time soon, but I’ve done what’s possible to reduce the wind blowing through it.

I don’t want the forum staple of a diesel / electric heater, so am looking at some sort of electric fan heater - it’s mainly to provide a bit of warm air for painting (brushed Tractol / enamel) and for me, but use will be occasional - if the forge is lit I can stay warm enough even when it’s sub zero.

My question is has anyone tried anything like those in the attached links, and is there any benefit in ceramic over conventional coil heating?

Master B 3 – electric fan air heaters

Discover the Master B 3 – electric fan air heaters. View product specifications and contact us today to connect with your local suppliers.

www.danthermgroup.com

Electric heater fan TDS 19 E

Electric fan heater TDS 19 EFiery red mobile heater as a convenient all-round solution

uk.trotec.com

Electric fan heaters, pretty much just follow the laws of physics - whatever energy you put in your will get out.

Unless they make a whole load of noise or somthing they will all, largely, be equally as "efficient".

 

[Mick Annick]

Electric fan heaters, pretty much just follow the laws of physics - whatever energy you put in your will get out.

Unless they make a whole load of noise or somthing they will all, largely, be equally as "efficient".

Thanks Julian

I get th energy v energy out bit, it’s more is one type better than the other and are these makes any better or worse, it’s the whole Milwaukee / Makita / Dewalt debate but heaters!

 

[oldbikedavey]

Mulling over one of the cheap Chinese diesel-electric heaters.
I'm told that the things are good, but are they reliable enough for unattended overnight use ?
Don't really fancy several decades of work and investment going up in smoke.....

 

[Jackimus]

@Mick Annick - ceramic elements are self-regulating, resistance shoots up as the material heats up, so they're inherently safer, not that it matters because the machine is going to have a thermostat, heat cut-out, anti-tip switch or something anyway

Some say ceramic heats up faster, some say it supplies heat more smoothly because the material holds onto heat for longer than wire elements.

As above, either one is basically 100% efficient, go for a ceramic if it isn't a silly amount extra, why not.

Maybe also consider an infrared patio-type heater with a quartz or carbon bulb? They work more 'efficiently' because they heat you directly instead of the air around you, but that means instantly cold again when it's off, and you may find the side of you facing the light is burning hot and your other side is cold, a sensation I do not enjoy.

 

[harveyp6]

Mulling over one of the cheap Chinese diesel-electric heaters.
I'm told that the things are good, but are they reliable enough for unattended overnight use ?
Don't really fancy several decades of work and investment going up in smoke.....

Personally I wouldn't leave something like that on, unattended, overnight.
I used to leave a small 60w electric tube heater on overnight, and when I used to go in there in the morning, I wouldn't say it was warm, but it was noticeably warmer than on the mornings I went in having forgotten to put it on the night before. That was in a large double precast garage. They available in larger sizes than I had.

 

[Mick Annick]

@Mick Annick - ceramic elements are self-regulating, resistance shoots up as the material heats up, so they're inherently safer, not that it matters because the machine is going to have a thermostat, heat cut-out, anti-tip switch or something anyway

Some say ceramic heats up faster, some say it supplies heat more smoothly because the material holds onto heat for longer than wire elements.

As above, either one is basically 100% efficient, go for a ceramic if it isn't a silly amount extra, why not.

Maybe also consider an infrared patio-type heater with a quartz or carbon bulb? They work more 'efficiently' because they heat you directly instead of the air around you, but that means instantly cold again when it's off, and you may find the side of you facing the light is burning hot and your other side is cold, a sensation I do not enjoy.

Thank you, that’s exactly the sort of info I need to guide me

 

[knighty]

I've got a 5kw

Bit of a thread resurrection / hijack, but I need some heat in my workshop, it’s a very old, draughty barn and is not going to get insulated any time soon, but I’ve done what’s possible to reduce the wind blowing through it.

I don’t want the forum staple of a diesel / electric heater, so am looking at some sort of electric fan heater - it’s mainly to provide a bit of warm air for painting (brushed Tractol / enamel) and for me, but use will be occasional - if the forge is lit I can stay warm enough even when it’s sub zero.

My question is has anyone tried anything like those in the attached links, and is there any benefit in ceramic over conventional coil heating?

Master B 3 – electric fan air heaters

Discover the Master B 3 – electric fan air heaters. View product specifications and contact us today to connect with your local suppliers.

www.danthermgroup.com

Electric heater fan TDS 19 E

Electric fan heater TDS 19 EFiery red mobile heater as a convenient all-round solution

uk.trotec.com

I've got one the same design at work, 5kw, in my workshop - pretty big but no draughts with the shutter down.... it does nothing unless you're right in front of it... and I mean right in front of it... I once left it on for 4 days constant... it made no difference to the temp in there, it was still bloody freezing, couldn't tell the difference between temp inside and temp outside

I've got a bigger 22kw, which I never use because it costs an arm and a leg to run... but if you're somewhere in front of it you feel a blast of hot air, and it makes the place noticeably warmer

I think you've got naff all chance if it's draughty in your place.... might be ok if you can section a bit off to paint in, even if it's just some plastic sheeting / dust sheets etc. hung up?

 

[Mick Annick]

I've got a 5kw


I've got one the same design at work, 5kw, in my workshop - pretty big but no draughts with the shutter down.... it does nothing unless you're right in front of it... and I mean right in front of it... I once left it on for 4 days constant... it made no difference to the temp in there, it was still bloody freezing, couldn't tell the difference between temp inside and temp outside

I've got a bigger 22kw, which I never use because it costs an arm and a leg to run... but if you're somewhere in front of it you feel a blast of hot air, and it makes the place noticeably warmer

I think you've got naff all chance if it's draughty in your place.... might be ok if you can section a bit off to paint in, even if it's just some plastic sheeting / dust sheets etc. hung up?

I’ve got a few tarps, one door has one hanging inside it permanently and I’ve put up hooks to hang one in front of the other door.

 

[dave h 2]

Mulling over one of the cheap Chinese diesel-electric heaters.
I'm told that the things are good, but are they reliable enough for unattended overnight use ?
Don't really fancy several decades of work and investment going up in smoke.....

These are designed for vehicles the Kw outputs are chinese and some even say the 5kw is the same as the 8kw

 

[gaz1]

These are designed for vehicles the Kw outputs are chinese and some even say the 5kw is the same as the 8kw

they do not make a 8kw version

5kw is the max but there is a water version instead

 

[Keithmac]

We have one of these at work for taking the chill off, it kicks out an amazing amount of heat but loves to drink diesel!.

 

[Onoff]

Pretty sure I sent someone on here plans for a waste oil burner...

 

[Morris]

Pretty sure I sent someone on here plans for a waste oil burner...

Now you've done it...

 

[thepurpleblob]

Following this up after months and months. I eventually scored two infra-red wall heaters that had been liberated (legitimately) from a church hall. They more than do the job. You kind of have to aim them where you are working but it's near instant heat.

They would have blown the budget if new but very pleased as a second-hand solution.

 

[Nomad]

In random order :

1 decent rubber flooring where you work so the concrete can’t take your body heat away through you feet.

2. Insulate the roof. I got a van load of reclaimed 25mm 2x4 sheets under 50p each from a local reclamation yard - plenty to do my loft, double thickness on the garage roof, my ex’s camper.. then sold the surplus. The difference in the garage temps was vast for under £20 !

3. Chinese diesel heater or (if you can source free timber) a wood stove.

 

[Mick Annick]

In random order :

1 decent rubber flooring where you work so the concrete can’t take your body heat away through you feet.

2. Insulate the roof. I got a van load of reclaimed 25mm 2x4 sheets under 50p each from a local reclamation yard - plenty to do my loft, double thickness on the garage roof, my ex’s camper.. then sold the surplus. The difference in the garage temps was vast for under £20 !

3. Chinese diesel heater or (if you can source free timber) a wood stove.

I’ve got a rubber mat for where I stand most. I’d like to insulate but the roof void is very low and the floorboards are a bit rotten… I guess I could get a couple of crawling boards to get around on.

I’ve got a woodburner but apparently I need a pro to install and sign off the flue.

 

[harveyp6]

I have an old propane space heater that I bought from a roofer that used to stand his pitch bucket on it to keep it nice and hot. It's basically a gas ring in a metal cylinder with a flat top. Half an hour on half heat would get a triple garage nice and warm, then I'd turn it down to the minimum and it was lovely. Most days I'd have to turn it off at lunchtime. Cost me £25 and a 48kg bottle got me through couple of winters working in there most days.

 

[Mick Annick]

I have an old propane space heater that I bought from a roofer that used to stand his pitch bucket on it to keep it nice and hot. It's basically a gas ring in a metal cylinder with a flat top. Half an hour on half heat would get a triple garage nice and warm, then I'd turn it down to the minimum and it was lovely. Most days I'd have to turn it off at lunchtime. Cost me £25 and a 48kg bottle got me through couple of winters working in there most days.

They do chuck out a lot of heat but also a lot of condensate, so not good for painting.

 

[harveyp6]

They do chuck out a lot of heat but also a lot of condensate, so not good for painting.

I meant to say that, but totally forgot!

 

[Dapph2]

post a pic up and lets see what you have

but as above insulation is the main thing

with me it was what material do i have plenty of and can get loads of which in my case was wood
then i looked at conserving it as i didnt want a large store area either and wood you can need a large storage area

rocket stove is one of the best ones so i built that way

It must also be dry inside the shed it's pointless heating a continually damp shed .