Garage & Workshop Heaters

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Whether a garage is a commercial work space, a rural workshop, or a residential area to enjoy your hobbies or exercise in, you’ll want it heated during our cold Alberta winter months. When choosing a garage heating system to meet your needs there are a few things that you will need to consider because residential and commercial garage heaters come in several different makes, models, and types.

Infrared heaters supply heat to a given area by heating objects such as vehicles, workbenches, and floor surfaces without blowing air. They are the most cost-effect heating system to operate because they don’t have to reheat the entire garage after the overhead door is opened and warm air escapes. Instead, the flooring acts as a heat sink and will continue to be warm and radiate heat upwards even if a garage door is left open for an extended period of time.

They can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or propane, and are typically hung at the back of a garage/workshop, angled down on a 45-degree and aimed at a garage door. Available in several different makes and models, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right size and model of radiant heater to use including room size, ceiling height, air changes, and air movement requirements. 

If you spend a lot of time working with paints or stains, then a radiant heater is an ideal choice of heating system because it wont raise dust or keep it air borne like a forced-air heater will. Common applications for Infrared heaters include maintenance facilities, warehouses, car washes, and other commercial settings. 

Electric garage heaters are the least inexpensive to install, however they cost the most to operate. An electric heater that is set to come on and off based on temperature can cost you between $300 - $400/month in operational costs during the winter. They are best suited to use in smaller areas and less frequently than a gas-powered unit. 

Electric units come in two main types: infrared and forced-air, and also have several makes and models to choose from. Many infrared electric heaters are free-standing units that can be easily moved room to room, and used as a short-term heating solution in areas such as workshops, garages, and utility rooms.

Residential garages are best heated with forced air units. They are easy to install and require very little maintenance. Similar to a forced-air furnace, forced air-garage heaters heat an area by blowing warm air through a fan. Natural gas forced-air units require a gas line, exterior venting, and an electrical hook-up. 

The size of the unit needed, fuel consumption, efficiency rating, and price will all vary depending on the type, brand, and installation method you choose. They are typically placed in a corner and directed across to the opposite corner. Forced-air natural gas garage heaters and propane garage heaters are more cost-effective to operate than their electric counterparts. However, they do cost more to install and require a professional installation.

Hydronic slab heating is a cost-effective and reliable heating system that can manage all your garage heating requirements. Pex tubing that circulates hot water or electrical heating elements are installed in the concrete slab when it's poured, which in turn heats the mass of the concrete radiating heat from the floor upwards. Due to the PEX tubing positioned in loops located within the concrete slab itself, it is only a feasible and cost-effective option during a construction stage of a new build.

Gas-powered garage heaters are popular in residential and commercial applications because they are reliable, cost effective, and can heat up an area quickly. They come in several makes and models, and are either a forced-air unit heater that blows warm air or a radiant tube heater that radiates heat. Wall-mounted gas-powered units can be tied into your home’s current gas line and the size and costs will vary depending on the type, brand, and installation method. 

Radiant tube heaters are better suited for heating garages and workshops with higher ceilings and frequent air changes. Forced air units can heat up areas faster than radiant tube heaters, however heat is lost just as quickly when an overhead door is opened. Other benefits of Natural gas forced-air garage unit heaters are low installation costs and that they are able to heat large areas without requiring extensive venting systems. 

Although installing a natural gas-powered garage heater is more expensive than an electric garage heater initially, it will save you money on your operating costs in the long term. Electric garage heater may how low installation cost but they are very expensive to operate. As with anything that involves gas-powered units, proper ventilation is necessary to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and best to be installed by a licensed professional.

Propane garage heaters are most popular in rural areas where natural gas is not available. When heat is required, the fuel from your propane tank flows through a gas valve inside the garage heater and ignites the pilot flame and a flame is produced inside a heat exchanger, the heat is stored in the heat exchanger until it reaches a set temperature and then is released through a vent in the device.

Propane heaters are self-contained units that will continue to run during power outages making them reliable and efficient heat sources. Propane tank garage heaters are best suited in a garage that is used as an extra living space that does not contain hazardous liquids and gases and some may also require proper venting.