Workshop Heating

[shiftyseamus]

After freezing my tits off today working on my Mini, I have decided that its time to invest in a heater!!

Having always been tight to this is the first time I've bought one, so am not sure what to look for.

Hopefully someone here can help me out.

I am a bit wary of 2nd hand units? Is this justified?

After doing a bit looking around I've found a propane heater at screwfix for £80

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/52754/Heating-Cooling/Workshop-Heaters/BLP10-Propane-Gas-Heater

Its rated at 10kw, my garage is a concrete sectional one and is approx 1.5 time the size of a standard garage.

Will this be big enough?

How long/much do you think the cylinders will last and where would be the cheapest place to get them?

Thanks in advance

Seamus

 

[HasBean]

Passing thought, won't a propane heater create condensation? I don't know. I'm also after some heating but don't want to rust my machines, especially when there's a soogy car in the garage too!!

 

[drjim]

I have found that one of those 500 watt halogen floodlights like builders use generates plenty of heat and helps you to see what you're doing in gloomy workshops. About £12 at machine mart.

Jim

 

[shiftyseamus]

I think I have convinced myself that I will get one tommorrow, may even upgrade and get the bigger £100 model.

Have also been looking at the diesel models, but have been put off by the poss of unburnt fuel residue.

Bit worried about this spoiling my paint job(to be!!)

Seamus

 

[shenion]

I have a 20k BTU natural gas heater in my double garage. Takes it a while to bring temp up. Then comfortable. It is wall mount, connected to house gas line. Works well.

Do wish i had gotten the 30K BTU unit.

I have not noticed any condensation issues. It is very dry out there in the winter. Like most garages, there is enough air leahs to keep it dry enough.

 

[irondarren]

I got a 125k btu, but it does consume gas at a good rate of knots about 2.5kg an hour, i can turn it down to a flow of about 1.25kg per hour, it does warm the workshop nice but is expensive to run. I might invest in a smaller one next year

 

[nickburt]

Passing thought, won't a propane heater create condensation? I don't know. I'm also after some heating but don't want to rust my machines, especially when there's a soogy car in the garage too!!

Gas heating will produce a lot of condensation, unless there's some decent ventilation - in which case, all the heat will be lost.

Gas heating for paint spray areas is a no no. Also, the spray will pick up the condensation in the atmosphere and result in paint bloom and micro blistering. Even dehumidifying won't stop the problem.

If you want to heat a spray paint area use electric or other radiant (halogen etc...) heating.

 

[irondarren]

In an ideal world infra red heaters are best for spray, but i never had a problem using gas heating for spraying, bear in mind when spray you should have extration runing, which means you are pulling out air from the booth and replacing it with new freshair. quite often heating ovens are gas powered as well. Bloom in paint is more assocaited with cellulose paint anyway, it doesnt tend to cause modern 2k paints as much trouble

 

[leso]

hi all, i have a large gas heater for my workshop/garage its about 7x8 mts with a peaked roof, the heater warms it up in about half an hour but it definately causes condensation which i'm not to keen on as it sometimes forms on tools ect, just a thought to bear in mind if buying!

 

[bump]

I'd say to go for an IR heater.

 

[shiftyseamus]

After considering my options, I went out this morning and got a 15kw propane heater, cost me £99 + £21 for 19kgs of propane.

I have to say I am impressed, it takes about 15 mins to take the chill off the room ie you can't see your breath anymore and quickly brings the garage to a reasonable working temp.

I didn't notice any condensation, however with my garage being concrete sectional, its prone to condensation anyway.

I am going to monitor how long the bottle lasts.

I am actually looking forward to going in there tommorrow!!!

Seamus

 

[classic2cv]

I've just upgraded to a large gas space heater

it will be a lot more adjustable and a bit cleaner running than the old paraffin space heater
(now up for sale)

the fan is much bigger and it can be run as a blower too

 

[piman]

Hello Seamus,

I have used a similar unit for years, I find that you need it pointed at you to keep warm. It does consume gas at a fair rate but of course being rated at 10 KW it would be like having 20 of the 500 watt heaters someone mentioned and 20 of those would not run off a 13 A ring circuit.

I would buy one of those again if I needed a heater.

Alec

 

[shiftyseamus]

Hi, the initial trial I did today seemed promising, the good thing is that the actual heater unit is quite small so I can put it anywhere.

I was going to try it by the garage door to see if it will blow hot air over the garage?

I am happy with my purchase(so far) and will try and report back.

Seamus