Heating Your Garage Workspace

A lot of people who utilize a garage or small enclosed work area use it only in season. This is a waste as there is no reason why your workspace cannot be utilized year round in any extremes of weather. A good heating system will make all the difference in the world and keep you occupied through the dreary winter. A variety of choices exists and one these five should help you to get started.

Electric heaters come in many sizes and variety. If you have a small workspace, you may do well with one or two simple electric element heaters with a blower. These are not ideal however because the heat they produce will be very limited and you will pressed to have a range of movement that will stay within the comfortable zones. If you are looking at electric heaters, try a ceramic heater. Their range is so much better and may be just enough. Price is also never a barrier with this option.

Also considered electric, the oil-filled radiator heater may give you a little more power and a couple of them just might do the trick. These heaters are radiant energy only, so you may need to incorporate a fan of some sort to help the heat circulate. Electric base-board heaters are another option. These will provide you with more than adequate heating, but could run up your power bill as well.

Gas and petroleum heaters are another option. You want to stay away from kerosene though. Kerosene heaters pose a huge risk in that the fuel is highly flammable and they create carbon monoxide emissions. There have been reports of sickness and lung disorders caused by using kerosene. Propane is another story. While they are not the most efficient, they can give you range. If you are looking to save on electricity, propane may be the way to go.

Another option, albeit more expensive, is to install your home’s furnace in your workspace. The furnace itself will provide all the heat you could need. If this is not an option, you could run convection vents to your workspace and work off the same heat as your home. If you do this, however, you may want to install a closure at the source of the vent. This will prevent high heating bills due to heating a space that may not always be used.

The last option, and widely considered the most efficient is an in-floor hot water system. These are the most expensive to install, but in the long run, you will save due to the energy efficiency of the units.

All of these options are viable in creating a workspace that is usable year-round. Consider one of them and put it into action. You will thank yourself later and think why you did not consider it before.