Garage Gas Heaters
If you live in an area where the temperatures drop, but you love spending time tinkering around in your garage, this article is for you. There’s no need for you to suffer from cold fingers and toes any longer. Thanks to modern-day inventions, you can install a garage gas heater that will provide warmth and comfort in less than a day.
Garages represent the most under-utilized space in most climates during the winter months because uncomfortable temperatures prevent activity. Cold temperatures in the garage can be detrimental to vehicles and house plumbing.
When temperatures drop below freezing it can drain the battery of your car and prevent it from starting. This can cause damage to your car’s engine. If your car becomes covered in snow, ice and salt, and you park it in an unheated garage, it can cause damage to the paint.
If you have plumbing installed in the garage for a utility sink or washing machine, the pipes can freeze and burst. If this happens, it can be costly to repair. For less than $500, you can prevent all of the above from occurring in your garage.
There are two types of garage gas heaters: natural gas and propane (LPG) gas. They are available in a wide range of sizes and styles. Some are permanent and require a duct and venting system. Others are portable and can be used to heat a small area; although some portable heaters can heat a 1000 square feet area. Let’s take a look at each type:
Propane Gas Garage Heaters: This type of garage heater requires minimal installation. There is no need to have a vent because the heat rises from the flame and comes out the vents at the top of the heater. Additionally, propane gas garage heaters require no electricity, which means you’ll still have heat if the power goes out.
Some propane gas garage heaters are installed in the wall. Others are placed on a bracket that is mounted near the ceiling. Permanent propane gas garage heaters range in price from $199 to $429. Most can be installed in less than a day, if you are adept at this type of project. If you have never installed a gas heater before, you might want to hire a professional to install it for you.
Additionally, you can purchase portable propane gas heaters. This type of heater typically heats about 600 square feet. However, there are units available that can heat an area of 1000 square feet or more. These units range in price between $119 and $229.
Natural Gas Garage Heaters: These units require considerably more installation know-how than propane gas garage heaters. Natural gas garage heaters can be mounted on the wall, floor, or hanging from the ceiling.
There are three types of natural gas garage heaters:
Open – This heater uses inside air for combustion and is intended for use in areas that do not have contaminants in the air that can damage the heater. The burner inside the heater is not sealed, so flammable liquids should not be placed close to the heater.
Separated – This heater uses outside air for combustion and is intended for use in areas that do have contaminants. The burner inside the heater is sealed. This type of heater has an intake and exhaust pipe which is run outside of the garage.
Sealed – This heater brings in outside air for combustion, and the burner is completely sealed inside the heater and has no access to air inside the structure. This type of heater uses a direct vent for intake and exhaust.
Permanent natural gas garage heaters should be installed by a professional. They range in price from $199 to $389.