Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 03, 2009 03:58pm | #1

   Where are you located? Is the shop insulated?

   -Steve

    

1. 
   Robin9 | Jun 03, 2009 07:01pm | #3

   I am located just below Fergus, Ontario (Canada).  Yes, the shop is insulated.  It was once heated with oil, however everything pertaining to that has since been removed.

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 03, 2009 07:44pm | #6

   I assume you have access to natural gas (or at least propane)? If electrical rates in Canada aren't too different from what they are in the US, a heat pump would be the most efficient, but wouldn't handle the coldest winter days. A "dual fuel" heat pump (one with supplemental gas heat) is probably the best alternative. (That's what I have to heat my house in southeastern Ohio, by the way.) I believe they come in sizes appropriate for a small shop.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   mrbird90 | Jun 03, 2009 04:53pm | #2

   My first shop was about that size and I used a "milk house" electric heater that ran on 220volts, it had a thermostat and safety tip over switch.  I  used it in an insulated garage and at times the chill factor was -40 degrees F and I could always keep the shop at 68 degrees. It was purchased from Grainger and was rated at 3000 Watts. The heating coils never get red hot like other type heaters, the wire is much thicker and gets hot but not glowing which I liked around sawdust.

3. 
   traveller2 | Jun 03, 2009 07:08pm | #4

   Buy a pellet stove.

1. 
   Robin9 | Jun 03, 2009 07:28pm | #5

   Any brands you would reccommend??

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jun 04, 2009 03:27am | #8

   Robin,

   Have you thought of a mobile home furnace?  I bought one used from a local plumbing & heating contractor ($100).  It uses #2 heating oil, very efficient. 

   Yeah it might be back to oil but may work for you.  I live in northern New Hampshire and last year I burned just a little over 125 gallons toheat a well insulated ~320 sf woodshop.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

4. 
   mike4244 | Jun 04, 2009 03:00am | #7

   I use a gas fired blue flame heater, unvented.Been using this heater for about ten years now in my 600sf shop.Most of the time i leave the setting on 1 overnight.Their are five settings up to 32000 btu's. On the coldest days ( low teens and single digits) the 3 setting is used. Never had the heater all the way up to 5. I work in a tee shirt on all but the coldest days.

   mike

5. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 04, 2009 04:10am | #9

   I need to heat my 600 sqft shop.

   About my size shop.. One of them birthday candles about 3 inches around should do but thenj again they were ment fer years of burning.. I feel for you.. I get cold if it is 80 degrees and a cloud blocks the sun!

6. 
   Buster2000 | Jun 05, 2009 08:59pm | #10

   I use a natural gas unit heater in my shop.  (An attached three car garage ~ 600sq ft + 12ft ceilings).  It cost around $2700 to install, but it's cheap enough to run.  I keep the shop at about 10 C, and turn it up just before I go in, turn it down when I leave.

   Since you plan on running it all the time, get yourself a good heater.  Avoid construction heaters at all cost.  Fire waiting to happen.

7. 
   bogonhill | Jun 25, 2009 11:10pm | #11

   I use a direct vent kerosene heater to heat my 24 x 32 shop. It works very well, has over 90% efficiency and takes up very little space. Here is the link to the web site. I highly recommend them.

   http://www.monitorheaters.com

   Bogie