Industrial and garage heaters are effective heating solutions for poorly insulated areas, outside venues, and even drying purposes. If you’re contemplating purchasing a garage or industrial heater, we’re here to help.
Feel free to use the list below to navigate to the information you need.
- What is an industrial heater?
- Where is the best place to put a garage heater?
- What is the safest heater for a garage?
- Can you leave a garage heater on overnight?
- How hot does an industrial heater get?
- How much do garage heaters cost to run?
- Do garage heaters cause condensation?
- How loud are garage heaters?
- Can you use a commercial heater indoors?
- What is the most efficient industrial heater?
What is an industrial heater?
Industrial and garage heaters are more powerful and rugged than home space heaters. Cold weather can make working conditions more complex, so adding an extra heat source will help make your employees and guests more comfortable. Industrial heaters can assist with faster drying, such as quickly drying paint, concrete, and light water damage in a non-flooded area. Garage heaters can maintain a comfortable environment if you frequently turn your garage into a workshop, studio, or hang-out space.
Where is the best place to put a garage heater?
Depending on the type of heater you purchase, there are a few options as to the best placement for your new appliance:
- Electric/Fan-Forced: These plug-in portable heaters are very popular, as they can heat an entire room efficiently. Place the heater in the coldest area angled downwards, towards the center of the room, for best results.
- Infrared/Radiant: The technology behind these infrared heaters makes them ideal for spot heating. Unlike most electric heaters, they don’t warm up the entire space, so you only need to place it where you most need the heat. These make for great workshop heaters.
- Gas/Diesel/Kerosene: A propane-based heater is not recommended for enclosed areas, but they are ideal for industrial purposes like new construction drying and supplemental heat on job sites.
Check the owner’s manual for clearance instructions regardless of the heater type. For safety, there should be at least 4 inches between the heater and the closest wall. A hardwired garage heater should be installed on an interior wall away from windows, doors, picture frames, and light switches.
Check out our Garage and Industrial Heater Buying Guide for more information on our available heaters.
What is the safest heater for a garage?
Electrical and infrared garage heaters offer the most versatility without sacrificing important safety features, including:
- Tip-Over Switch: If the unit ever gets pushed or tipped over, this feature automatically turns it off to prevent overheating, injury, or damage.
- Cool-Touch Housing: Especially helpful around pets and children, this exterior housing is safe to touch even while heating your space.
- Overheat Protection: This automatic switch turns the heater off when it reaches a specific temperature to prevent overheating.
Can you leave a garage heater on overnight?
While modern heaters are safe to keep on for long periods without supervision, there are more safety measures to take if you plan on leaving the heater on overnight:
- Keep the heater in an undamaged condition
- Remove nearby flammable objects
- Prioritize tip-over, overheat, and cool-touch safety features
- Plug directly into an outlet
- Install extra smoke alarms and CO2 detectors
- Place the heater alone and uncovered
Also, remember the type of garage heater when selecting a product, as that will help lessen the risk but not remove it entirely. However, we do not recommend leaving a heater on and unsupervised. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your safety.
How hot does an industrial heater get?
As the heating power varies for each heater, measuring it in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and watts translates into how much space the unit can heat. A good rule of thumb for measuring the size you need for your space is about 50 BTUs per square foot, depending on the region.
A smaller, personal-sized heater puts out around 5,100 BTUs of heat, making it an ideal choice for a chilly garage. At the other end of the scale, a larger industrial heater produces about 250,000 BTUs to cover large outdoor spaces of up to 5,900 square feet.
How much do garage heaters cost to run?
This depends entirely on how you use the heater and how often. For almost all heaters, the longer it runs, the more expensive it will be.
Do garage heaters cause condensation?
While condensation in a garage is not uncommon, using a garage heater helps control the level. However, avoid using a propane heater, as this type releases water vapor that will create condensation.
How loud are garage heaters?
Each type of heater produces different noise levels, but fan-forced heaters are most likely to be the loudest since the fan is the main element dispersing heat. Electric infrared heaters and radiant heaters, on the other hand, are quieter options.
Can you use a commercial heater indoors?
An industrial gas or propane heater is not recommended for heating indoors or in enclosed areas, as serious safety concerns exist. Electric heaters are the most popular to provide extra warmth indoors.
What is the most efficient industrial heater?
While the size of the space is an essential factor, industrial infrared heaters are the most energy-efficient because they heat objects in the targeted area.
In Summary
Industrial and garage heaters are a great way to add warmth and comfort to an otherwise chilly space. With rugged exteriors and large coverage areas, they can be used in almost any commercial and industrial environment.
