Shop/Space Heaters - Propane or Keroscene?

[gnihcraes]

Ok, So I have a little bit of money given to me for christmas, and want to spend it on something to heat my garage/shop. Small area, about 600sqf.

Should I go for forced air propane or kerosene - like a torpedo type space heater?

Kerosene probably has a smell to it doesn't it?

Propane will probably be more costly though. I already have a small propane heater, but it is only tank top and doesn't do much for the "whole" garage.

Any of you have experience with these types of heating, I'd value your opinion.

Thanks...

[tbaby303]

try these heaters it might get the job done. kerosene heater do have a smell to it and i think you will not like working in that smell. another option is.

[gnihcraes]

Yes, that's what I'm thinking ^^

I've considered the infrared type heaters, but their cost is greater and I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to run? I want to be comfortable in the garage! Warmer the better... that's where my reloading bench is. (Man cave)

I'm concerned about the smell of kerosene, I don't want to get headaches or anything from the smell. I do have a friend who has asthma and he would be visiting and reloading with me at times, don't need him laying on the floor wheezing even if it was warm.

[bjl913]

i had one of those reddy heaters that ran off propane! great deal! they kept my garage comfortable to turn a wrench!

[Marlin]

I've considered the infrared type heaters, but their cost is greater and I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to run?

The answer is no, Heat and electricity really do not go together as an economical heat source.. Unless of course, You are in a small electric room with 2500 amp gear in it... Even the new fangled infared ones will make the meter spin...

Most economical over the long run would be to just run a gas line to the the garage and do it that way.. If it's a detached garage, it might take a little longer for it to pay for itself.. If that is just not an option, then the propane is the next best bet.. Just make sure you have good ventilation,, Should be no problem..

[jerrymrc]

I have a 40,000 BTU bullet heater and notice no smell while it is running. Yes you do get a little on start up and shut down but for the most part they are 100 times better than the wick type.

I have also had a propane one but the Co was terrible. If I run the bullet kero one I see 1ppm after 2 hours of use in a 24'X24' garage. Just some thoughts.

[GreenScoutII]

I don't know exactly what your budget is, but you might consider a permanantly mounted natural gas garage heater.

Of the types you mentioned, I would go with a propane torpedo type heater. I use one frequently on jobsites in cold weather. Propane is a pain to deal with due to the size of the bottles if portability is a concern, but it has far less odor than kerosene. Both propane and kerosene can get expensive in a hurry, but propane is a lot cheaper this year than last.

Another option if you have a detached garage is a small pellet stove. These are very efficent and wood pellets are fairly inexpensive. The downside is you must vent the heater to the outside and the initial purchase can be costly.

If you can afford it, a permanantly installed garage heater running on natural gas will be the cheapest to run in the long term and give the best results overall.

[Great-Kazoo]

unless your garage is insulated, neither one will be efficient over time.
my garage is insulated and last night the temp w/out heat was 40. i run a small portable propane one http://compare.ebay.com/like/120446652334
it keeps my garage (725 sqft) at a warm 55. with the insulation, 2) 52" ceiling fans and this heater going, 55 is t-shirt warm. i keep east and west garage door's opened up approx 1" and crack the sliding window the same, for oxygen replenishment. My heater is kept on the low setting and it does the job.
Kerosene smells, even using the odor free, cost more in the long run, and does not work for my needs. I have a 40lb bottle of propane and that usually last me all winter long.
your heating investment should be decided by how much you use the garage.
are you in there using it as a business, or just hobby, the usual working scenario? if in there 6+hrs a day then invest in an overhead propane or NG system. If you have a detached garage like mine (100' from the house) then consider a 100lb tank for your supply. I can't as i would have to trench NG line across the sewer line, with or w/out a permit it is a no go here.
try throwing used carpet or those 3x3 work mats on the floor. warm feet is 1/2 the battle.

ALSO make sure you have something to ground yourself to before handling powder

[Mtn.man]

might check craigs list, lot's of times people sell or replace a heater in home or? and then give away or sell cheap their old ones.

I can't really comment on which would be better as I have a little over 1200+ ' shop with radiant floor heat....

[gnihcraes]

Thanks everyone. Budget is $500 or less. Yes I've considered permanent propane or natural gas too. I'd rather at this time spend less money and use left over money for other toys. (guns and ammo )

I do want to be warm while reloading though... and other garage type projects. The garage isn't use for business or great lengths of time in most cases. I'd spend more time out there goofing around if it were warmer.

It is made of concrete block and not insulated. I started framing the walls this fall and insulating them, but ran out of time. I'll finish it up this spring or summer when I can remove everything and finish framing. I'll insulate the roof too, just don't feel like working around all the junk in there at this time.

I can get the natural gas line run over to the garage from the house meter without too much effort proabably, but I will have to run it underground for a minimum of 15 feet probably as the garage is detatched from the house by that distance. It would actually be closer to tap into the neighbors meter. ha. It's a rental, they won't notice....

I could get something Propane installed and work off a larger 100 gallon tank external to the garage or something like that. I live just a couple blocks from a major propane dealer and it wouldn't be much trouble to get the larger tank filled when needed. I need to check with them on what types of prices and equipment they could order and install.

Portability isn't required, but could be nice to have in the future.

In reality if I had the money, I'd just build a new shop on the vacant land and insulate it properly and install natural gas and new heating equipment. No money for that yet... stinks. (still dreaming though)

Thanks for the input... I'll do some shopping today and see what I come up with.

Keep the ideas coming if there are more.

appreciate it... Kc.