There is nothing worse than being stuck in a freezer-like garage. The deathly temperature will rob you off your enthusiasm to sit on your workbench or work on your car. Thankfully, you can always get a garage heater.

Like a space heater, a garage heater is installed in your garage to provide heat during cold days. Staying warm is not a luxury, so don’t deprive yourself of this amenity.

Before you go choose and buy a garage heater, there are many things to consider so you won’t end up buying a model that won’t work, won’t fit, or won’t satisfy your needs.

The following are a few factors to think of prior to getting a heater for your garage:

• Gas or electric?
A gas garage heater requires a gas line, so if that is not available, opt for the electric heater instead. There are many brands and models that offer suitable heaters for commercial or residential use.

Although electricity costs much more than gas, electric heaters hold advantages over their counterparts. Electric heaters do not require running a flue through the roof or the side walls. They are also quieter and produce minimal vibration. Gas forced garage heaters require 120V power and a gas line.

However, gas heaters do heat up faster and are more energy efficient compared to electric heaters.

• Alternative

Besides electric and forced air heaters, there are also radiant tube heaters. These work through high intensity infra-red, are less noisy, do not produce drafts, and are more energy sufficient. Radiant tube heaters can be mounted onto a wall and connected to the thermostat and gas line. They require no electricity, as they operate on a millivolt control. They are more expensive, though.

• Garage ventilation

Radiant units can heat up an entire workshop, but if your garage is drafty, the hot air can easily escape. Additionally, if you work with solvents or other compounds, you will suffer more heat loss because you will need to open windows and doors for ventilation. For these kinds of garages, use radiant heaters instead.

• Power requirement and consumption

Check the size of your garage. A garage with two or three cars will require a heater than can provide 25,000 to 35,000 BTU’s. For electric heaters, choose one with a rating of 10.0 KW. Electric heaters usually consume a lot of energy, so they require a strong and dedicated circuit from the establishment’s electrical panel. Older and smaller buildings often do not have capacity for the power requirements of the heater. Check with an electrician if the panel can handle the heater.

• Placement

A garage heater is generally designed to mount from the ceiling or the wall. If the household has children and pets, do not get portable propane or kerosene heaters that are placed on the floor, to avoid accidents.

Do not compromise your safety. Choose your garage heater well. Hire a licensed professional to install your heater and check the local codes.