Garage Heat Harley Tools Discuss Garage Heat in the Harley Products & Services forums; Any suggestions on the best way to heat a two car garage? I'm leaning towards wood or maybe propane....

[flathead512]

Any suggestions on the best way to heat a two car garage? I'm leaning towards wood or maybe propane.

Originally Posted by flathead512

Any suggestions on the best way to heat a two car garage? I'm leaning towards wood or maybe propane.

Before you use wood , be sure to check with your insurance company. Many will not insure wood heated garages, or charge a large premium. Some insurance companies allow houses to be heated with wood, and refuse to insure garages. I had a wood burning stove in my unattached garage, it was completely to code, my choice was to pay a high premium, or remove it from the garage. Not disconnect it, remove it. I checked with many insurance companies, some had a high premium add on, some insisted it be removed from the garage.

I don't know your situation but I did a quickie by running a 6" duct to the garage (attached) and put a Jenn air flap so it closes when not running. You can adjust the amount of heat by adding a flu. Not bad, keeps it around 55 degrees even when real cold. Just wanted to keep it from freezing and warm enough where you can do some occasional work with a sweatshirt on of coarse. I'm also considering running a gas line and installing a natural gas, vent less "wall" heater for when I'm in there for extended periods. Good luck.

The heat makes a nice environment when storing the bike, keeps it warm and the battery is much better off - never knows it's winter!

[flathead512]

It looks like the wood stove is out. I'm now leaning towards some kind of radiant heat, possibly electric $$$$ ?

The talk on the Vintage forum is to stay away from sources of flame (Gas) since there could be gas vapors in the garage. Someone also mentioned that propane causes moisture?

Still cold and confused in the garage

[high_beam]

I use a Kerosun heater for economy. On the worst days I work on house projects to free up garage time when the weather breaks.

The attached is from a Buffett concert last summer. My Sportster is in there somewhere. Hope it warms you up a little. FINS UP!
- JMH

[shovelmike]

Yeah, Flathead, the radiant heat would probably be very good. My house used to be all electric (heating coils in the furnace, not heat pump), when that became a financial burden I set a propane tank out back and went to a high efficiency gas, sealed combustion chamber, intake and exhaust through PVC pipe. I'm still heating water with electricity I don't want a flame anywhere near my vehicles or the area where I handle gasoline. I have heat ducts which keep it almost livable. For a little more comfort I raise the door a couple of feet and put my kerosene fired torpedo out in the driveway blowing air in. It has me pulling the coat off pretty quick. Sincerely: Shovelmike.

[JCourneyaP]

Make sure you have her insallated good. Walls, Ceiling an doors. Run a gas line and go with that. The gas heaters are not that expensive. I have a few buds that run with the gas. You can install a thermo or use it on demand when needed.

I see no use in heating a garage unless you plan to work in it alot. I spared the expense and run with portable propane heaters 2 of them. One for each side. Comforable enough that the tools do not frost over.

I would not run a duct from the house. Some of your house heat is going into the garage. Thats less heat in the house which will make the furnace run a little longer to get the house up to whatever you have it set to. Besides it would be hard to get constent temp in the garage.

Gas on demand. The way to go

[1996Fatboy]

Go with gas- today's 90%+ furnaces are sealed combustion- they use pvc piping to the outside for combustion air and exhaust and in fact they are the only type of furnace allowed by code to be installed in a garage. You must also place the furnace on a metal plenum at least 2 feet off the floor in case any heavier than air vapors do contaminate the area.

96

[Ed. Hugo]

I have a 15x20 shed that I insulated with throw away stuff from building sites close to home. I keep my bike, couple lawn mowers & assorted stuff in the shed. A lot of stuff I'd rather not have freeze so I use three heating lamps that keep the shed cozy. Regardless of outside temps the shed never has gone below 50 degrees & that has been on the coldest days. I had a propane company install a heater when I first built the shed & they brought out a huge tank. Too expensive!

[Majicbringer]

Try a commercial infrared heater. Either a stand alone corner unit, or a hanging unit. No fumes, doesn't dry out the air, warms up a room quick and quiet.