Replies

1. 
   stevemorris | Jan 09, 2009 01:59pm | #1

   is it insulated?, thats the first step, it'll make a huge difference

   i use a double car attached garage that has one wall common to the house and my 4500 watt heater works well

1. 
   BMW50 | Jan 19, 2009 07:35am | #2

   Yes the walls have batt insulation, but the ceiling is open rafters with two sky litesand lots of shop lights. I may try some of that spray on radiant barrier this Spring.

    

2. 
   Buster2000 | Jan 19, 2009 09:47am | #3

   Invest in a real heater...

1. 
   BMW50 | Jan 20, 2009 10:50am | #6

   I have a 220 v heater in the rafters. Unless I plan in advance to be in my shop I'll turn it off @ the breaker so not to make the utilities higher. It can drop down to about 48* in the winter time. I thinking the radiant barrier and giving up my exposed rafters  for acoustic tile and enclose the skylites and use the attic ladder for access only. 

   BMW50

3. 
   TaunTonMacoute | Jan 20, 2009 12:03am | #4

   "I have a 220v heater in one corner in the rafters."

   Put in a ceiling fan and run it on low to blow the hot air out of the rafters.

   Alternatively.....

   Heat rises.  Put the heater on the floor and let it warm up the air in between the floor and the ceiling on its way up.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/19/2009 4:32 pm ET by TaunTonMacoute

4. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jan 20, 2009 02:46am | #5

   Move here to North Carolina. I also have a 400 sq ft shop, and in general my small (110V, less than 15A) oil-filled radiator makes me sweat.

   Although that wasn't quite true yesterday morning when the temps were single-digit (almost never happens here), my shop was comfortable enough to work in.

   Also, as another already noted, be sure to insulate to the hilt. It makes an amazing difference.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.