Garage Heat - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ZR1North · 07-13-2012

I am transitioning from electric heat in my garage to a gas heater. The choices seem to be forced air or radiant heaters. The radiant heaters seem to be much more efficient, are practically noise free and don't blow dirt around.

Since with radiant heat the objects get heated (which in turn heat the air) rather than the other way around as with forced air, I wonder about the potential effect of the radiation on the vehicle paint. I can't see any research on this; has anyone delved into this and arrived at definate conclusions?

vilant · 07-13-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZR1North

I am transitioning from electric heat in my garage to a gas heater. The choices seem to be forced air or radiant heaters. The radiant heaters seem to be much more efficient, are practically noise free and don't blow dirt around.

Since with radiant heat the objects get heated (which in turn heat the air) rather than the other way around as with forced air, I wonder about the potential effect of the radiation on the vehicle paint. I can't see any research on this; has anyone delved into this and arrived at definate conclusions?

The effect on your paint won't be any worse then it was with electric heater. In fact there's a much a higher risk of electric heaters doing damage, especially if it's close to the car. Forced air and Fin tube(water base board heat) reach temps no higher then 120 F., generally. Electric heater temps are initially much, much higher. Fin tube is more efficient then forced air. I prefer the fin tube.

carter200 · 07-13-2012

Hi,
If you are worried about radiant damage to the car then use a good car cover and problem solved.

ZR1North · 07-14-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by carter200

Hi,
If you are worried about radiant damage to the car then use a good car cover and problem solved.

Thanks guys! Radiant heat with the cover is probably THE answer.

hiperf406 · 07-14-2012

I had a radient heater in my garage & I would never use anything else. They heat the objects in garage & it has a better heat recovery after you open the door in the winter(if you get winter).

scottfab · 07-14-2012

It rarely gets cold enough to need to heat the garage here but when I do I use a big blow torch. I just aim the 4ft flame at the 1ft above the floor for 3min. That's all it takes.

cvette98pacecar · 07-14-2012

Radiant heat works by heat transfer, Heat moves from a warmer to a colder place. (Second rule of thermodynamics) Not very efficient for heating large area.
Electric heat really does not tell me much there are many style electric heaters on the market, Radiant, forced air, hot water. I need a little more information.
Hot water heat is generally 180.0df if you have baseboard, 140df if you have radiant heat in the slab. You still operate the boiler to maintain 180df you just mix the return and supply water to 140df discharge water temp.
I Installed a horizontal high efficiency furnace with a single central return that has a 2" filter. I have 6 ducts on each side of the garage in the ceiling and two over each door to create a curtain when the door is open. When either door is open the burner shuts off and the air stays on as long as the DAT is greater than 100df.

07-13-2012	#1
ZR1North Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Komoka, Ontario, Canada Posts: 597	Garage Heat I am transitioning from electric heat in my garage to a gas heater. The choices seem to be forced air or radiant heaters. The radiant heaters seem to be much more efficient, are practically noise free and don't blow dirt around. Since with radiant heat the objects get heated (which in turn heat the air) rather than the other way around as with forced air, I wonder about the potential effect of the radiation on the vehicle paint. I can't see any research on this; has anyone delved into this and arrived at definate conclusions?

07-13-2012	#3
carter200 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 2,418	Re: Garage Heat Hi, If you are worried about radiant damage to the car then use a good car cover and problem solved. __________________ 95 ZR-1 BLK/Gry #392 LT5 Reg# 868 RIP ZR1NET Founding Mem #155

07-14-2012	#5
hiperf406 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spruce Grove Oilberta/In Mex for winter Posts: 1,045	Re: Garage Heat I had a radient heater in my garage & I would never use anything else. They heat the objects in garage & it has a better heat recovery after you open the door in the winter(if you get winter). __________________ lorne # 1748 Stock except for a modified Corsa exhaust. When the flag drops the bull sh1t stops!

07-14-2012	#6
scottfab Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland Oregon metro area (Washington side) Posts: 3,193	Re: Garage Heat It rarely gets cold enough to need to heat the garage here but when I do I use a big blow torch. I just aim the 4ft flame at the 1ft above the floor for 3min. That's all it takes. __________________ Scott Vett owner since 1979._It's about the car and the people

07-14-2012	#7
cvette98pacecar Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,466	Re: Garage Heat Radiant heat works by heat transfer, Heat moves from a warmer to a colder place. (Second rule of thermodynamics) Not very efficient for heating large area. Electric heat really does not tell me much there are many style electric heaters on the market, Radiant, forced air, hot water. I need a little more information. Hot water heat is generally 180.0df if you have baseboard, 140df if you have radiant heat in the slab. You still operate the boiler to maintain 180df you just mix the return and supply water to 140df discharge water temp. I Installed a horizontal high efficiency furnace with a single central return that has a 2" filter. I have 6 ducts on each side of the garage in the ceiling and two over each door to create a curtain when the door is open. When either door is open the burner shuts off and the air stays on as long as the DAT is greater than 100df.