Whether you’re wanting to heat your garage to protect your vehicle or have a workshop heated during the cold winter months, a garage or workshop heater is a great investment to add value to any property. Regardless of whether you have a single, double, or three-car garage we can help you with all your garage heating needs. And if you require repairs on your existing garage heater or need a replacement - we can assist you with that too. Our skilled technicians are familiar with several makes and models of garage heating systems and can help you to decide what unit is best to suit your needs.
If you usually spend several hours in your garage either working on your car, home improvement projects, or hobbies we can help improve the indoor environment of your garage, especially during those long winter months, by providing expert garage heater installations, repairs, and regular maintenance.
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.
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.
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.
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. Forced air units 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.
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.
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.
Know your options and costs before any work begins. At KaiTech Plumbing & Heating, our Journeyman Plumbers will provide you with multiple options and quotes for every plumbing installation, replacement, and repair so you can make an informed decision that is best for you and your budget.
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.
30,000 BTU/hr Input
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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.
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:
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:
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.
Contact us today for more info about our extensive garage heating services! We offer free on-site consultations and can help you choose a garage heater that’s best suited for your needs. You can call us at 403-945-8324 or use our contact form at the bottom of the page to either request service or an online quote.
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