PPBart Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 I'm happily retired so I spend a lot of time in my shop: a 12'x24' portable building with insulated walls, Styrofoam panels under roof, but no insulation under floor. Cold weather is not a major problem around here (SE Louisiana), but we do get a few chilly (below freezing) days) --- enough for me to long for some additional heat. My "dust collection" system consists of a small shop vac and a box fan with filter, so obviously the shop does get dusty at times. I would like to add a safe (no open flame?) heater that would only be on when I'm in the shop. Would one of those oil-filled radiator style units be OK? Or maybe a ceramic heater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimayo Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 For a long time, I used a couple of quartz radiant heaters, 1500 watts each, in my 16x20 shop. They worked OK, but the heating was somewhat uneven. I recently installed a 5000 watt electric heater that has an internal fan. It mounts from the ceiling out of the way. It has an integral thermostat, but I bypassed that with a line thermostat that mounts on the wall. The down side to this is that you must have enough electric service to accommodate it. It requires a dedicated 30 amp circuit with 10 ga wire. At full power, it draws 22 amps. I haven't used it much yet, but we have recently had some 40 degree nights and it has been able to easily maintain 60 degrees in the shop by running only occasionally as the thermostat demands. I normally use heat only when I'm there, but I have been doing some finishing and want it to maintain at least 60 degrees while the finish is drying. It's doing the job and I'm comfortable leaving it on at night or when I'm otherwise not there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 I believe an oil filled heater would work fine in your shop as there are no open flames. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 Oil filled heater would be the way to go. Lived in north and central LA for several years. Never got used to the humidity, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 Agreed with the above.. I run a pellet stove in my shop but, that chews up more floor space and it's just not something that your going to run that often so, might be more of an investment than you're looking to make.. Many like the infrared wall heaters as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 Ive got a couple of those oil filled heaters and they work pretty good. If it's real cold out I turn it on high and blow a small fan at it to send the heat where it's needed most. Ceramic elements don't get hot enough to burn dust so they are ok too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 Sounds like they summed it up so all I can offer is, welcome to the forum. Where in SE Louisiana are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pondhockey Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 My only experience with oil heaters was in Alaska, with a heater that wasn't very adjustable - you had it on or off, and opened a door for heat regulation. This one was a bit of a pain to start, so you didn't turn it off casually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPBart Posted November 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 19 hours ago, K Cooper said: ...Where in SE Louisiana are you? Baton Rouge area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 1 hour ago, PPBart said: Baton Rouge area. I moved out of Washington and Tangi parish 10 years ago. That would be Mt Hermon, and Kentwood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPBart Posted November 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2018 15 hours ago, RichardA said: I moved out of Washington and Tangi parish 10 years ago. That would be Mt Hermon, and Kentwood. I lived in St Helena from 1959 thru 1971, graduated from Greensburg High in '67 and SLU in '71. Spent a lot of time in Kentwood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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