Workshop And Garage Heaters: Calgary, Airdrie, & Area

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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.

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.

If you choose a gas-powered garage heater you need to know the amount of BTU (British Thermal Unit/ Units of Energy) the heater can generate for either propane or natural gas units. A higher BTU rating means more power. Forced-air and radiant gas heaters come in various makes, models, and sizes to choose from, and some units are more powerful than others and better suited to heating up larger areas. Knowing the BTU output of a gas-powered garage heater is important to ensure proper heating. 

How many BTUs you need depends on factors such as garage size and preferred temperature setting. Reznor and Modine's Hot Dawg series are popular residentially-certified gas-fired unit heaters with several sizes to choose from ranging in BTU outputs 30,000 - 125,000 BTUs. They are ideal heating options for residential garages and workshops, along with rural and light commercial applications.

If you are using a gas-powered garage heater it is important that you have proper ventilation in your garage. Natural gas heaters can leave toxic gasses behind such as carbon monoxide. The two main ways to vent your garage are by using galvanized sheet metal ducts through the wall or a flue through the roof. The size of either will depend on your garage heater.

• Roof Ventilation Applications: You can vent your garage heater by running ductwork from its flange through a opening in your roof. The hole in your garage ceiling will need to be close to the same diameter as your ductwork. Ventilation can be completed with a watertight seal to ensure that toxic fumes and gases are dispersed sufficiently.

• Exterior Wall Ventilation Applications: Ventilating your garage heater through an exterior wall requires that you create an opening through which you can insert piping that is connected to your ductwork, then a watertight seal is applied to ensure toxic fumes are removed. 

As Albertans we are no strangers to frigid temperatures or sketchy road conditions, and are accustomed to dealing with cold fronts as colds as -30 degrees or more. Factor in the wind chill, blowing snow, and icy road conditions and it can be quite adventurous navigating through Deerfoot Trail in the morning during rush hour on your way to work. Garage heaters are beneficial to ensuring your vehicle is well maintained and protected from the winter elements to avoid car troubles, because leaving your vehicle in frigid cold temperatures for extended periods of time can lead to the following issues:

• Rubber Components: Mechanisms composed of rubber parts such as windshield wipers and belts around engine are susceptible to damage from cold weather. Extreme low temperatures can make some rubber products less flexible which increases their chances of ripping, tearing, or breaking. Your windshield wipers are less effective during the winter months because the cold rubber has difficulties conforming to the shape of your windshield.

• Battery Efficiency: In extreme cold temperatures voltage is pulled from a battery, making it difficult for your car to start after it has been out in the cold for extended periods of time.

• Fluids: In freezing temperatures fluids such as oil, antifreeze, power steering, brake, and transmission fluids can have a higher viscosity making it harder for your car to operate the way it should.

• Tire Pressure: In colder temperatures tire pressure can be lost. Tires that are not fully inflated won’t perform as well and can be more susceptible to damage. 

• Spark Plugs: Low temperatures affect the reliability of your spark plugs. As with other electrical devices, spark plugs can be negatively affected by the cold causing them to misfire. Older spark plugs are especially susceptible to low temperatures due to wear and tear.

Like all mechanical equipment, garage heaters experience wear and tear and occasionally need repairs. Although they are considered low-maintenance devices, they do require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to work efficiently. Some of the most common garage heater problems include:

• The flame senor isn’t working.
• The ignitor won’t light.
• The heater is cycling often.
• There are strange odors or noises coming from the garage heater.
• The fan isn’t working.
• Fan works but there’s no heat circulation.

If your garage heater has stopped working, call us today and we will be happy to send a qualified heating technician to get it up and running again. They will thoroughly inspect your heater to determine what is causing it to malfunction, and then offer you honest recommendations to resolve any issues. We won’t recommend a replacement if we can repair your existing unit. 

If you want to know more about our garage heater installation, replacement, or repair service, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 403-945-8324 or use our contact us form below.

Our garage heating experts will only recommend a replacement if your garage heater is no longer safe to use, beyond repairs, or if the cost of repair is too expensive and it is more cost-effective to replace the unit. In such instances, our skilled technicians can offer you good recommendations and practical solutions to meet your heating requirements. Whether you need an installation, repairs or maintenance, we’re here to help.

If you are considering a garage heater but still are not sure on what garage heater is best suited for your needs - contact us today! We can provide you with an in-home evaluation at no cost to you, or a online quote to help you get started. 

To receive an online estimate, simply fill out the form below by entering the square footage of your garage, what your heating requirement needs are, and any other useful information that you think will be useful to receive an informative quote. 

We will connect you with a garage heating expert who can answer any of your questions, schedule an on-site visit if needed, and inform you of the costs, permits, and work involved when installing a new gas-powered garage heater.