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Offline tvgordon

  • Posts: 501
  • Springfield, Ohio
Workshop heating
« on: November 10, 2007, 07:19 PM »
I have about a 600 square foot shop and to heat it with an old natural gas stove costs that me about $900 a year.  Here in Ohio that's heating it from about November to March or April.  I was looking for a heater with a thermostat that would be more energy efficient and safe to use with sawdust (not all my tools are Festools) and finishes.  What are you guys using and/or do you have any recommendations?  I don't really want a wood burning stove because I want to keep it warm all the time.

Tom.
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Offline Bob Marino

  • Posts: 3254
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2007, 07:40 PM »


Tom,

 I have a small shop and use the Modine 35,000 btu unit (similar to the Hot Dawg). The burners are sealed and the unit is thermostat contriolled. Seems to be pretty efficient. Very quiet also.

 Bob
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Offline tvgordon

  • Posts: 501
  • Springfield, Ohio
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2007, 07:12 PM »
Hey Bob,
If you don't mind me asking, about how much does the heater cost?  Also, can I install it myself or is it sold only through HVAC dealers who need to do the installation?  I have a little money set aside but would still like to have some left for a Festool or two!
Thanks for your help,
Tom.
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Offline Bob Marino

  • Posts: 3254
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2007, 08:09 PM »
Quote from: tvgordon on November 11, 2007, 07:12 PM
Hey Bob,
If you don't mind me asking, about how much does the heater cost?  Also, can I install it myself or is it sold only through HVAC dealers who need to do the installation?  I have a little money set aside but would still like to have some left for a Festool or two!
Thanks for your help,
Tom.


 Tom,

 I have a Reznor unit (similar to the Modine Hot Dawg). Here's the link. http://www.rezspec.com/catalog-udap.html

I think it was around $600.00 and can be installed by a homeowner, if he knows what the heck he's doing (not me). It is available from many sources.

 Bob
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Offline tvgordon

  • Posts: 501
  • Springfield, Ohio
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2007, 05:28 PM »
Thanks Bob,
Unfortunately, neither one of the heaters you mentioned has a dealer in my city.  The closest one looks to be about 50 miles away.  Maybe I'll call some of the heating contractors in this area and see what they offer.
It does look like something I shouldn't try to install myself.
Tom.
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Offline Dave Ronyak

  • Posts: 2234
  • Flyin' from NE Ohio
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2007, 05:37 PM »
I am in NE Ohio and had a contractor install a ceiling mounted gas furnace in my garage/shop that is vented through the roof.  My city code did not like the "through-the-wall" type for a gararge/shop in which woodworking would occur.  Cost was about $1200 installed (including running gas line in a low hip roof) about 5 years ago.  SS heat exchanger.  Combustion gases are separated from the room air.   My main issue has been inability to locate a thermostat that has as low a set point as I want.  The thermostat that came with it only goes down to 50 degrees F; I want to be able to set it about 36 - 40 degrees F when the shop is not in use.  Anyone know where I can find such a thermostat.  The old Honeywell round dial units used to go down below 50 degrees, and worked a lot smoother than the units supplied with my furnace.  No issues with the furnace itself.

Dave R.
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Offline tvgordon

  • Posts: 501
  • Springfield, Ohio
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2007, 05:43 PM »
Dave, do you know the brand and size of your heater?  Also, about how many square feet of space are you heating?  I have to admit I like Bob's price better than yours!  Don't you live around the Cleveland area?  I would think my heating requirements would be similar to yours.

Thanks,
Tom.
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Offline Dave Ronyak

  • Posts: 2234
  • Flyin' from NE Ohio
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2007, 05:59 PM »
The heated space is ~16' x 26' x 8' with a cathedral ceiling center section about 10' long.  The outer walls are full brick, and due to the slope of my lot, you'd get hurt if you jumped out the back window.  That means I have more than average heat loss through the exposed walls of the foundation (brick over poured concrete).  I don't remember the name of the furnace manufacturer, but I have seen several different brands that seem to be very similar in design.  Mine is mounted with the main dimension horizontal.  These units can be mounted with only a couple of inches of ceiling clearance. 

Dave R.
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Friends, family and Festools make for a good retirement.  PCs...I'm not so sure.

Offline Bob Marino

  • Posts: 3254
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2007, 06:57 PM »
Quote from: tvgordon on November 12, 2007, 05:43 PM
Dave, do you know the brand and size of your heater?  Also, about how many square feet of space are you heating?  I have to admit I like Bob's price better than yours!  Don't you live around the Cleveland area?  I would think my heating requirements would be similar to yours.

Thanks,
Tom.

 Tom,

That's the price for the unit, not ducting, running a  gas line, and any other installation costs. Why can't you just order on-line, if no dealer carries it and have someone install it?

Bob
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Offline Kevin Johnson

  • Posts: 98
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2007, 10:17 PM »
I'll chime in here.  I have a 40k btu Mr. Heater propane fired ceiling unit.  It looks just like the Hot Dawg units and vents out the side wall.  I caught it on sale last year about this time at Northern Tool for $269.00  :) and the install ran about $200 from a heating and air guy I found on Craigslist.
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Offline tvgordon

  • Posts: 501
  • Springfield, Ohio
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2007, 07:42 PM »
Bob,
I didn't think of doing that.  That's a good idea, I have a friend who is a general contractor who probably knows someone who could install it for me.  If I disconnect the old heater, the gas line and vent are already there.  When I searched for a dealer off the manufacturer's website there wasn't a dealer near me, but maybe one of the HVAC dealers around here offer a similar heater.

Kevin,
I receive the Northern catalog but didn't even think to look there for a heater.  I certainly like the price.

Tom.
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Offline Bob Marino

  • Posts: 3254
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2007, 08:00 PM »
  Tom,

My "limited" understanding is that the Reznor is very, very silmilar to the HOT DAWG heater that is very popular.

Bob
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Offline brandon.nickel

  • Posts: 241
  • Currently Peoria, IL - Eventually back to CO
Re: Workshop heating
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2007, 10:01 PM »
Tom,

I just finished installing a 75,000 btu "Mr. Heater" brand natural-gas-fired heater that I bought from Northern Tool for $450.  They have a smaller version available (60,000 gross, 48,000 net), but I have a 850 sq-ft garage/workshop and I didn't want to be waiting around all day for it to warm up.  Installation was very simple (2x4s spanning ceiling joists attached with Spax screws).  I needed to cut a vent stack in the roof (4" for the 75k, 3" for the 60k).  As far as I've been able to tell, all of the "package heaters" are made by the same folks.  They have identical connections, diagrams, louvers, etc.  So, Northern Tool's prices are the best I could find and I went with them.  My buddy owns an HVAC company and he couldn't get me a heater any cheaper at his cost.  They're a really good deal. 

-Brandon
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