Keep Your Garage Warm With These Heaters
You might think that your garage doesn’t need a heater because it’s not a part of your house where you spend a lot of time in.
However, there are plenty of reasons why you’d want your garage to be heated, especially if it’s attached to the walls of your house or if temperatures outside are freezing and you don’t want your cars and other garage-stored belonging to freeze as well.
So, what’s the deal with garage heaters and how do you even choose one?
When operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT above sea level the heater may shut off.
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Heavy Duty 240V Single Phase 3000/6000W Commercial Electric Heater
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It comes with a complete set of features that you’d want to get in a product of this kind.
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Heats Up To 600 Square Feet with Auto Overheat Cut-Off Protection
View DealShopping Considerations
Depending on what you have stored in your garage, you need to consider that only some types of heaters may work. Most people choose natural gas or electric heater because those that are powered by propane tanks can pose a safety hazard, However, if you were to stick with one of the two aforementioned options, you would have a cost-effective mean, particularly if you opt for natural gas. Even so, this is an option for people who have a gas-based system in their homes.
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Safety is a key factor when you’re choosing a garage heater. For instance, for a gas heater, you will need to make sure that your garage is properly ventilated. If you use a heater that’s placed on the floor, consider the fact that it might be easily accessible to your children or pets.
BTU is another thing that you have to look out for when you’re purchasing a heater for your garage. BTU is short for British Thermal Units, and it described the speed at which temperature can be raised within the given space. There are plenty of online BTU calculators that you can use in order to determine what figures to look out for based on the actual size of your garage.
If you tend to work a lot in your garage even when it’s cold outside, you will need a heater with a low noise output. Otherwise, you can get really frustrated by having to do something in a confined space with a fan-based heater that makes a lot of noise.
Types of Garage Heaters
Garage heaters can be classified in two ways. First of all, you can divide them into three categories, depending on how they actually heat up your garage:
- Forced-air garage heaters will release hot air inside your garage, but there are many different models that vary in size and fuel type. As far as fuel type is concerned, you can choose between gas-powered heaters (which connect to your home’s gas line and have an unlimited supply of fuel) and electrical-powered heaters (which require a power outlet and basically convert electricity into heat). Gas-powered heaters are preferred because they are more cost-effective in terms of fuel consumption, but the initial purchasing costs are higher. Plus, you need to have a professional install them, as you shouldn’t mess with the gas pipeline yourself.
- Convection garage heaters have heating elements or flames that warm the air inside the heater. Then, the heated air rises and is released into the room. They are considered to be the most affordable units on the market, but they take longer to warm up the garage.
- Radiant garage heaters have reflectors that release infrared heat outside the unit, heating up a certain spot inside the room. They don’t use any ventilators to release heat into the room and they are the favorite amongst people who like to work on stuff in the garage, as this type of heater has less chances of stirring up unwanted dust particles. A radiant garage heater can be powered by either electricity or gas.
The second way in which you can classify garage heater is placement/portability:
- Some garage heaters can be mounted on the ceiling or fastened to a wall. You have multiple options when it comes to sizes and options. Try to look for a heater that comes with an adjustable thermostat or a remote control. Otherwise, it will be rather difficult to reach for the unit and change the settings.
- Portable heaters are your other option, and they also tend to cost less compared to wall or ceiling-mounted options. Inside them typically lie large tubes where the heating element is concealed, and fans that are used to blow warm air into the garage. Depending on the types of portable heater chosen, you might notice that they release water vapors or fumes, which makes garage ventilation necessary. Portable heaters can distribute warmth using convection and radiant heat. The former option doesn’t offer intense heat but they are better at covering larger areas, while radiant heaters are amazing for small spaces because they blow heat right in front of them.
Top 5 Garage Heater Reviews
With that in mind, let’s quickly explore five amazing garage heater that can guarantee a quality experience that’s proportional to the price that you end up paying for them.
1. Fahrenheat FUH54
We start off this list with a heater that’s designed specifically for spaces such as workshops, basements, garages, warehouses, and the likes. It’s an industrial heater that comes with a single-pole thermostat which gives you the freedom to adjust the temperature at an interval between 45º to 135º Fahrenheit.
The louvers located on the front can be adjusted so that you can choose to redirect the heat into a specific vertical area. It comes with a bracket that makes it easy to mount the heater on the ceiling, and it features a high-level cutout that ensures safety by cutting out the power in case the internal components overheat. Even more, the heater is reactivated when it returns to normal temperature.
Pros:
- Adjustable louvers.
- Built-in thermostat.
- Durable construction.
- Mounting bracket included.
Cons:
- It consumes a lot of power.
2. Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy
If you’re looking for an affordable radiant heater, this might be the best option for you. It’s ideal for spaces that are below 225 square feet and will do just fine in a small-to-medium sized garage. It comes with a foldable handle so that you transport it from one place to another whenever you need to.
This heater is approved for indoor and outdoor use as well. It comes with an auto-shutdown feature that allows the unit to turn itself off automatically in case it’s tipped over or if it detects low oxygen levels. You will need to connect the heater to a propane tank in order for it to work, and you can expect a runtime of three hours on a full tank and at the lowest heat setting.
When operating the heater at altitudes over 7,000 FT above sea level the heater may shut off.
View DealPros:
- Fold-down handle.
- Auto-shutdown feature.
- Great for camping.
- Works in an outdoors.
- Easy to operate.
Cons:
- Faulty control knob.
3. Dr. Heater DR966
The Dr. Heater DR966 model is designed to be yet another high-quality heater that’s designed for use in several different locations, yet it is commonly used as a garage heater by most people who choose to buy it. It comes with a bracket that allows for easy mounting on the ceiling or the walls.
The adjustable thermostat allows you to switch between the high and the low heat setting, and the internal eight-inch fan will make sure that the hot air is dissipated inside the room. The adjustable louvers will make sure that air blows exactly where you want it to, giving you the possibility to warm up the room or straight up to yourself.
This heater can act as a primary source of heating or it can be a secondary source for adding some extra degrees to whichever room you’re willing to install it in.
Heavy Duty 240V Single Phase 3000/6000W Commercial Electric Heater
View DealPros:
- Two heat settings.
- Adjustable louvers.
- Wall or ceiling mouth.
- Mounting bracket included.
Cons:
- High power consumption.
4.KING KBP2406 KBP Multi-Wattage Compact Unit HeaterKING KBP2406 KBP
The King heater is a good option for any garage that has a maximum of 600 square feet, but it can also be mounted in other enclosed spaces, provided that the industrial-like design isn’t something that bothers you.
It has a three-way switch adjustable thermostat, a mounting bracket that allows installation on walls and on the ceiling, a five-year warranty to go along with the sturdy construction, a long-life cast iron motor, plus a fan that helps dissipate heat inside the garage.
It comes with a complete set of features that you’d want to get in a product of this kind.
View DealPros:
- Three-way selector switch.
- Built-in thermostat.
- Cast iron motor.
- Mounting bracket.
Cons:
- Not attractive
5. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988
The DR-988 garage heater may be advertised as an industrial electric garage heater, but its red chassis is definitely an upgrade that can add some color to your setup. The built-in thermostat makes it easy to switch from the lowest to the highest setting while making sure that the fan can blow out a continuous wave of heat.
It comes with overheat protection and a grill that doesn’t allow even the smallest family members to poke their tiny fingers thought and reach the fan. However, compared to some of the other garage heaters we’ve reviewed today, this one doesn’t allow for ceiling mounting, which is something you might want to take into consideration if you wanted a heater that you could just hang up and get out of the way.
Heats Up To 600 Square Feet with Auto Overheat Cut-Off Protection
View DealPros:
- Overheating protection.
- Built-in carrying handle.
- Built-in thermostat.
- Finger-proof intake.
Cons:
- Noisy fan.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, picking a garage heater isn’t as simple as just buying the first one you see. It’s also a matter of knowing how to tell the difference between the several types that are available. Whatever type of heater that you end up choosing, you need to make sure that it doesn’t pose any sort of fire hazard and, if you with an electric model, make sure that it doesn’t consume too much electricity. Otherwise, it won’t be a choice that you’ll be entire happy with.
FAQ
What type of heater is best for a garage?
It really depends on the size of the garage and why you want to heat it up. If your garage is big, then a convection heater is more suitable. If you sit in the garage doing woodwork, then you want to avoid heaters that blow up air into the room and might stir up sawdust. If you’re thinking of using the garage heater elsewhere, then you might want to consider a portable option. It really depends on what your needs are.
How many BTU does it take to heat a 2 car garage?
In general, a two-car garage measures between 450 and 700 square feet. Based on the math, it would require a heater with an output between 3,600 and 7,000 W for electric heaters, or between 12,000 and 24,000 BTUs/h for gas-fueled heaters.
What is the most energy efficient garage heater?
Gas-powered heaters are the cheapest ones to run because gas generally costs less than electricity.
What is a garage heater?
A garage heater is a unit powered by either natural or propane fuel that can warm up garages of any sizes. However, there are also alternatives to gas-powered units, consisting of electrical heaters that are plugged in and they convert electricity into heat.