Replies

1. 
   Don01 | Mar 25, 2009 07:56am | #1

   Allen,
   I was thinking the same as you, but in a recent discussion one of the group posted a link to these guys:

   http://www.sshcinc.com/

   With the current dollar difference held off on a purchase and have been looking for a closer source.

   Certainly an option to consider.

   Don

1. 
   AllenO | Mar 25, 2009 02:58pm | #2

   Don,Thanks for the info, but I've got my mind made up to go with a natural gas fired unit. It gives you the double benefit of radiant heat, but you can also get a fairly quick boost which electric radiant does not offer. Thanks,

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Mar 25, 2009 03:22pm | #3

   My shop is smaller, at about 400 sq ft. It's walls are insulated at R19, ceiling at twice that.

   And I use one of those roll-around oil-filled radiators, plugged into an outlet.

   I had originally thought that I would need MUCH more, so when I built the shop, I left a space, framed beneath the windows, for one of those hotel-room style units. But I didn't have the money that year, so I went with the plug-in.

   It's done so well in the five years since, that I might never change.

   Now certainly, the "degree-days" of heating that I experience here in NC are way less than you have in IL. But I'm thinking that you need way less than 40,000 BTU's.

   Do some more research, and I'll bet that you'll have some money left over that can be put into wood for your projects.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
1. 
   Don01 | Mar 25, 2009 04:02pm | #4

   You cannot stress enough the value of lots of insulation. I have lots of degree days of heating (Edmonton,Alberta)to deal with. I have R20 walls and R40 in the ceiling.
   As noted, I was going to install a radiant tube heater, even have a gas line installed.
   I am continually amazed at how easy it is to warm up the shop in the winter and how cool it stays in the summer. Of course I sit on my backside most of the day with my day job so any exercise gets me warmed up :-)
   I recently replaced my 4800 watt construction heater with an oil filled style. I have it set to just keep things from freezing and give it a boost just before starting work. It isn't long before I have to turn it down even when the outside is -30.Don

3. 
   Jfrostjr | Mar 25, 2009 04:58pm | #5

   I'm with you 100% on the radiant heater. They are wonderful. I bought mine from W.W. Grainger; they have quite a selection.

   I also purchased a small, very small, fan for installation across from the heater and high on the wall. The heater and the fan are both linked to a thermostat. The fan removes any possible hint of exhaust from the room.

   Frosty

   "I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922

1. 
   dmac15075 | May 14, 2009 04:39am | #6

   I installed the electric radiant heat panels in my basement about 3 years ago and couldn't be happier with them. They are surprisingly efficient and I like being able to program on/off times into the system with my home automation program. If it were in my garage I'd still consider the electric as for me it is easier to run some wire than gas lines.Whatever choice you make radiant heat is the way to go.

4. 
   resistorhead | May 14, 2009 05:20am | #7

   I used to sell and install radiant tube heaters for Ambi-Rad. Keep in mind that you really need at least a 12' ceiling height. Radiant heaters are great in "high bay" applications but can cook the daylights out of you if they are mounted too low. Call Ken at 317-577-0337 and he can guide you in getting the proper heater and correct installation.

   Eddie