Safe Electric Garage Heater
- Thread starter PontiacHO
- Start date
Hardwired 220v would be your best choice, unless you have gas as an option. Since you are from "South" I'm guessing your demand isn't too high though. I wouldn't trust a space heater plugged in overnight unmonitored.
Is your garage insulated? Another important factor.
Is your garage insulated? Another important factor.
Yes many electric heater related fires start at the outlet and plug. Hard-wired is considerably safer. Also you'd have the heater bolted to the wall so it can't tip over and is less likely to have something flammable near it.
If there is no insulation in the building, its going to cost a lot of energy.
If there is no insulation in the building, its going to cost a lot of energy.
This one is decent and can be hard wired if you wish. I use it plugged in - 3 years now no problems
https://a.co/d/da7FfUN
A hanging heater hardwired to 240V with a thermostat is the way to go, as long as you don't mind the electric bill.
How well insulated is your garage? Insulated garage door and ceiling? "Plug in" electric heaters (anything operating on 110v) are very inefficient for larger areas especially small radiant ones. Baseboard electric might be a better option but would require hard wiring in most cases.
How cold does get it outside down there? Does your classic car share garage space with a daily driver? 
As long as the garage stays closed most of the time, it should be over 40 even without any insulation or heater. If you still want some insulation, even cheap bubble insulation will help a lot.
As long as the garage stays closed most of the time, it should be over 40 even without any insulation or heater. If you still want some insulation, even cheap bubble insulation will help a lot.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
amazon diesel heater would be my choice. diesel is pretty cheap and if you set it to low it won’t burn through a ton of it. i have two, one lives at one of our hunting shacks and the other is with my dad as he finishes his shop. they’ve been excellent. super hot air and the exhaust can be ducted outside.
If you don't have 240v in your garage your best option is probably a heat pump! HD sells "Mr Cool" 120v models starting a little over $1000. At temps in the 40s they're 3x as efficient as resistive heat.
Best isn't cheapest, though, LOL.
Find a way to get 240v out there.
Best isn't cheapest, though, LOL.
Find a way to get 240v out there.
Yes. I’m in North Carolina so there’s only a few really cold nights that I have to keep pipes from freezing. They are in the exterior wall and run up and across the garage into the house. A Covid build so you can guess the rest. I’m not comfortable with a heater out there. Just trying to figure my best options, if there are any. Thanks.
