Given all the things you do in your garage, it is important to ensure that you are comfortable all through the four seasons of the year.
For instance, during winter and the weather is cold, you need a good and most importantly a reliable shot heater to make your time in the garage worth spending and comfortable.
This is where the portable electric garage heaters come in.
They are the best equipment for the job. But before you go around shopping for an electric heater for your garage, there are some considerations you need to look into and think about.
Top 7 Electric Garage Heaters Comparison Table
| Picture | Name | Power Usage | Air Throw | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Fahrenheat FUH724 Ceiling-Mount Industrial Heater | 7500 Watt | 16 feet | 4.1 |
 | 2. KING KB2405-1-B2-ECO KB ECO2S Garage Heater w/ Bracket | 5000 Watt | 16 feet | 4.2 |
 | 3. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988A | 5600 Watt | 10 feet | 4.3 |
 | 4. Dr. Heater DR966 Hardwired Shop Garage Commercial Heater | 6000 Watt | 23 feet | 4.5 |
 | 5. DIMPLEX DGWH4031G Garage and Shop Forced Air Space Heater | 4000 Watt | 12 feet | 4.2 |
 | 6. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-975 | 7500 Watt | 22 feet | 4.4 |
 | 7. KING EKB2450TB Garage/Shop Heater | 5000 Watt | 22 feet | 3.8 |
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Electric Garage Heater
Location of the Garage Heater
The garage should always be located in a position where it can direct heat to the rest of the parts in the garage. But this is not always the case and this is why it is important to look at this aspect before purchasing your heater.
Ensure that the heater you are picking is able to direct heat towards your desired locations. Also, choose between a portable heater and a wall-mounted heater.
If you choose a heater that is mounted on a wall, that means you will need special hardware but it is also possible to get some with hangers to help in placing it in the wall or a ceiling.
Installation
This is the next big thing to think of. Some heaters will need to be hardwired while others will plug into the existing outlets with their power code. Also, the need for a professional electrician will be required for the hardwired option.
In all cases, it is important to have with you different tools and hardware. There are also portable heaters that do not need any skills or experience but only plugging in. I recommend this choice for a garage that has fitted outlets.
Safety Features
The electric heater is generally safer compared to those heaters that require fuel. For a safe heater, go for models that have heavy-duty housing because these are designed to prevent items from heating and causing fires.
Also, look for heaters with handles to keep your hands away and avoid burns.
Above all, look for a model that has a heat-regulating feature such that when the heater overheats, it can shut off automatically.
Sizing
Sizing a garage heater will entirely depend on two factors; the power of the item and the room size. Measure the garages length and width to get the garages’ square footage. In a single square foot, 20 to 40 BTUs are needed.
Generally, a garage that is 400 square feet will be powered by 16,000 BTUs. So when you go shopping for an electric heater, get the one that is 16,000 BTUs and above.
Cost of Running the Heater
These are the most asked questions. To help answer this, look at various things including watts, utility rate, the number of hours you use it, state of residence, and product category.
The operation cost will be calculated based on the number of hours of use which is $0.65 for G73 and $0.73 for G56.
Top 3 Best Electric Garage Heater Reviews
Not all the garage heaters available are good and can meet your needs. It is important to look at various factors before settling for one.
It is often challenging to pick a good 2 or 3 car garage heater that will work effectively because most garage heaters put a price in the frontline and not their reliability and value.
To avoid making a wrong choice when going for electrical garage heater hunting, we have picked the top three electrical garage heaters for your considerations. You can never go wrong with these three choices.
Although the market is flooded with a lot of heaters to pick from, this will guide you and allow you to know some of the things you need to consider for a good electrical heater.
1. Fahrenheat FUH724 Ceiling-Mount Industrial Heater
The Fahrenheat FUH724 Ceiling-Mount Industrial Heater is dependable and is one of the well-known brands with a lot of heating choices for your garage. It comes with a ceiling mount bracket to get heat anywhere in your garage.
The unit is coated with a paint finish to help avoid corrosion. It can heat a garage to 60 degrees Fahrenheit as well as warm a large space to a comfortable temperature.
One to remember is that it requires a simple installation and an outlet of about 240 Volts. The thermostat is adjustable to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. KING KB2405-1-B2-ECO KB ECO2S Garage Heater
The KING KB2405-1-B2-ECO KB ECO2S Garage Heater is specifically designed for warming outdoor buildings such as sheds and garages and therefore ideal for your garage. It has a mounting bracket to use where you need it.
Alternatively, you can use it as portable equipment and take it where you need it. Its front is adjustable for heat direction. The on and off switch in the unit makes it possible to control the thermostat.
It is a perfect option for a two-car garage. The heating capabilities can easily be adjusted so that turning off or continuing running is possible.
3. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988A
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-988A is specifically made for basements and garages. The heater has a handle to allow portability. The thermostat adjusts heat from high to low from 45 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, you are assured of zero accidents because of discharge grills and finger-proof intake.
There are other safety features including tip-over protection, high-temperature heat limit, 5600 watts capable of handling 600 square foot’s space, 240 volts cord, and it is heavy-duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Should I Place My Garage Heater?
If your garage has a large space, have your heater mounted at least seven feet above the floor and four inches below the ceiling. Also, place them on interior walls, some distance from the doors, picture frames, windows, and electric circuits.
How Many Watts Do I Need to Heat My Garage?
There are two ways to heat your garage and I can recommend the 10 watts rules since it is the simplest one. 10 watts are used to heat one square foot space.
All you have to do is to measure the size of your garage and multiply the square feet by 10 watts to get the number of watts you require to heat your garage.
Alternatively, you can calculate the BTUs or watts required matching it with the favorable temperatures in the garage.
How Much Does it Cost to Run an Electric Garage Heater?
Usually, the cost will depend on your local electrical costs, the number of hours you use it, the wattage of the heater among other factors. On average, an electric heater with 1500 watts will cost you $0.18 and $0.25 in one hour.
How Many BTU Does it Take to Heat a 2 Car Garage?
Some of the variables that affect how many BTUs you need to heat any garage. These include the climate zone, the garage size, and the temperature you are working on.
A two-car garage is has a large space and is normally heated by 45,000 BTUs for the forced air heaters. If you happen to use infrared tube heaters, these recommend 30,000 BTUs for a two-car garage.
What Size Electric Heater Do I Need For My Garage?
The best way to save money on heaters is buying the right size because this will eliminate the need for replacing them. A small one will run up all your power bill since it will be heating a lot of space.
A big one will make you spend more on power bills. The best thing is to get the right size for your garage. There are two ways to estimate the size of your garage heater. You can follow the 10 watts rule in a square foot to the exact watts and the heater with those watts.
Alternatively, you can use the BTUs with the temperature in the garage to get the size of the heater you need.
How Do I Keep My Garage Warm in the Winter?
Keeping your garage warm during winter is one of the most important things to do. These five things will help you keep your garage warm.
First, select a heat source that is sized to the garage’s square feet, ensure that your garage walls are made of fiberglass batt insulation and paneling, the door has to be insulated, remove sources of drafts, and try incorporating radiant heat in the floors.
Are Our Electric Garage Heaters Safe?
Yes, electric garage heaters are safe because most of them come with a lot of safety features. Some have handles and with these, you can make sure that you do not get burnt when moving around with the heater.
Also, installation is usually done by a professional electrician who makes sure that everything is well set before you start using it.
There is also the aspect of sizing which is done prior to installing the heater to make sure that the right heater is used for the garage. These guidelines ensure that these heaters are safe to use in any kind of garage.
What’s a Cheaper Electric or Gas Heater in the Garage?
The electric garage heater unit is cheaper compared to the gas-powered unit but expensive to operate. This is because, when your garage is a two-car garage, you will spend 20% more on operating than the gas heaters.
Does it Make Sense to Insulate an Unheated Garage?
Yes, it does make sense to have an insulated garage even when it is unheated. This is because although the garage is unheated, there is always a lot of heat coming from the slabs and this heats the garage. The insulation helps in holding this heat.
Is it Worth it to Insulate the Garage?
Insulating a garage has a lot of benefits making it worth doing. For instance, insulating a garage reduces energy costs. Some people will insulate a portion of it or the internal walls only.
This helps in retaining heat from the outside walls of the home during the winter period and vice versa during warm seasons.
Conclusion
Winters can turn your garage into an unproductive and uncomfortable workspace. Electric garage heaters are a good chance to keep this place warm as you continue working comfortably regardless of the outside temperatures.
The electric garage heaters use electricity as their source of power and this makes them easy to set up especially when your garage is wired or when you have an extension close to the outlet.
With the list above, you will always be assured of quality electric garage heaters. But this normally depends on your space requirement, the type of heater, and the safety features you are looking for. The products above will satisfy you in terms of quality, functionality, and overall value.
