No matter what climate you live in, a heated garage is a must. It’s a great project for any homeowner because it can transform your space into a functioning bonus room. Whether you want the extra space for a workout room, a workshop, or the ultimate man-cave, installing a garage heater is your first step to getting there.
There are lots of options to fit any space. While a portable heater can be useful, installing a permanent heater is a much better idea. This is especially true if you are looking for a long-term solution for a large space. There are two main types of heaters to choose between: gas garage heaters and infrared garage heaters. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Gas garage heaters
To install a gas garage heater, you need to be able to hook up a gas line. You’ll also need to make sure it can vent. Gas garage heaters are built to hang from ceiling joists. Once your heater is securely mounted to the ceiling, you’ll need to set up the ventilation. To do this, cut a small hole in the roof. From here, you can install flashing and insert the vent pipe. This flue allows you to vent any fumes out of your garage. Once this is done, you can waterproof your system with sealant, a weather ring, and a vent cap.
If the heater has an electric thermostat or circulation fan, you’ll also need electricity. Your heater should come with a guide that will help you with this part. Keep in mind you’ll also need to run gas lines to your garage for your heater to work. Installing a garage heater is no small job. Unless you feel confident with electricity and gas, it’s not a bad idea to seek help from a professional.
Infrared garage heaters
An electric infrared heater can be mounted to the wall or ceiling of your garage. They typically need to be about six or seven feet away from the floor. Your heater’s installation guide will provide specific safety information for installation.
As long as you have the correct plug-ins, you should be able to plug in a small heater and be good to go. If you’re hard-wiring your system, you’re going to need some extra help. Since this will require installing a new circuit breaker and new cables, you’ll probably need an electrician for this step.
Which type of heater is better?
Infrared heaters are more cost-effective than their gas counterparts. Since the heat radiates downward, the infrared heater produces radiant heat. Like the sun, it works by warming people and objects in the room. A gas heater works by warming the air. Generally, a gas heater will warm up the air faster than an infrared heater. However, it’s more costly to run. For that reason, we recommend infrared heaters.
No matter what system you choose, Ron’s Mechanical can help. Do you have questions about installing a garage heater? Ron’s Mechanical has answers. Give us a call today at (952) 445-8585. Our experienced technicians are always here to help.
Recent Comments