Keeping your garage warm in the winter can help keep your car running better, your tools operating efficiently, and any stored liquids from freezing in frigid temperatures. Of course, having a heater also makes it significantly more comfortable to spend time in your garage! But how do you know how big of a heater you need? Will a 1500 watt heater heat a garage?
A 1500 watt heater will certainly improve the temperature in your garage, but it won’t provide enough heat to keep you comfortable during the coldest months of the year. A 1500 watt heater is designed to heat a space smaller than a garage–such as a normal-sized spare bedroom. Because most garages are larger than a bedroom, the heater will struggle to keep up with the cold temperatures.
Keep reading to learn more about why a 1500 watt heater can’t efficiently heat a garage and how to know how big of a heater you need to stay comfortable working in your garage all winter long.
Will A 1500 Watt Heater Heat A Garage?
1500 watts is a common size for in-home heaters. If you’ve got space heaters or tower heaters running in any rooms of your house, they are probably 1500 watts. Since most people have them sitting around, you might wonder if you can plug in a 1500 watt heater in your garage to keep it warm while you’re working out there.
However, a 1500 watt heater is just too small to effectively heat a normal-sized garage. On average, a heater can heat 10 square feet per ten watts. This means that a 1500 watt heater is only designed to heat a 150 square foot space.
The average two-car garage measures 360 square feet. If you have room for additional cars or work spaces in your garage, the square footage will be larger. Even a single-car garage is usually no smaller than 240 square feet.
If you decide to use a 1500 watt heater in your garage, it might raise the temperature slightly, but it won’t provide enough heat for you to comfortably work in a T-shirt. Of course, the colder it is outside, the more the heater will struggle and the colder you’ll be.
How Big Of A Heater Do I Need To Heat My Garage?
If a 1500 watt heater isn’t big enough to provide your garage with the heat it needs, how do you know which size heater to buy? There’s a simple formula: for each ten square feet in your garage, you’ll need 100 watts to heat it.
So if your garage is 350 square feet, you’ll need a 3500 watt heater to heat it. If your garage is 500 square feet, you’ll need a 5000 watt heater. Thankfully, most heaters specifically designed for use in garages at least 3000 watts, so you should be able to easily find the right heater for your garage.
What Is The Best Garage Heater?
The best garage heater you can buy is one that’s made for being used in a garage. These heaters are safe, typically hung from the ceiling, and are powerful. While smaller, standing heaters are cost-effective, they don’t heat garages veryefficiently.
Smaller heaters that stand upright can also pose a fire risk if not handled properly. While many standing heaters have a mechanism that turns the heater off if it tips over, the risk of a fire caused by a tipped over heater is still very real.
Garage heaters hung from the ceiling, however, are much less likely to come into contact with a flammable surface and are therefore a much smaller fire risk. They’ll also take up less valuable work space in your garage.
Are Garage Heaters Worth It?
Whether buying a garage heater is the right choice depends on your plans for the garage, budget, and desired level of heat. However, there are some clear pros and cons to consider before heading to the store to pick out a garage heater.
Pros Of Garage Heaters
- Your garage will be much more comfortable to spend time in if it’s heated. While having an insulated garage provides some level of heat, even the heaviest insulation can’t protect your garage from below-zero temperatures.Having a heater in your garage means you can walk from your house to the garage without needing to put a winter coat on.
- Keeping your garage warm can improve the length and efficiency of vehicles and other tools, like chainsaws, lawnmowers, and rototillers.
- You won’t have to warm your car up before heading off to work if it’s stored in a heated garage. Plus, you won’t need winter gloves to handle the steering wheel.
Cons Of Garage Heaters
- They can be expensive. A garage heater can range anywhere from $100-500 or even more, depending on the size and brand you choose.
- They aren’t usually very quiet. If you like spending time in the garage because it’s silent and peaceful, adding in a whirring heater will be an unwelcome distraction. Some heaters are quieter than others, but they all make noise.
Can You Heat An Uninsulated Garage?
Yes, you can heat an uninsulated garage. You won’t damage anything by running a heater in your uninsulated garage during the winter. Of course, an uninsulated garage will be colder than an insulated one, so you’ll spend quite a bit more to heat an uninsulated garage. However, without any insulation, a heater might be a necessity if you’re planning on spending much time out there.
Is It Safe To Use A Propane Heater In A Garage?
It’s only safe to use a propane heater in a garage if you vent the garage properly. Carbon monoxide is produced by propane heaters, so if you keep the garage closed up while the heater is running, you can suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning.
This is incredibly dangerous and can kill you, so it’s best to avoid using a propane heater if you’re going to keep the doors shut. Instead, open your garage door at least a few inches so the carbon monoxide can escape.
In many cases, adding a heater to your garage can greatly improve your garage experience. Just be sure to find a heater that’s the right size for your space–and as safe as possible–so you can enjoy spending time in your new warm, toasty space.
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