Garage Heat

[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?

[vilant]

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]

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

[ZR1North]

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]

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]

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]

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.