When it comes to keeping your garage warm during the cold months, choosing the right size heater is important. On that same note, finding the ideal unit can be tricky given the wide range of options on the market.
The right size of heater for your garage will also depend on how well it’s insulated and the temperature inside. Your garage’s floor space and the climate in your location will also help you determine which heater size is suitable for you.
That said, keep in mind that the size of your heater is not a measure of its efficiency.
In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about choosing the right size of heater for your garage. We’ll also discuss the important considerations, so you can make an informed decision and enjoy a nice and cozy workstation all winter.
Why Use a Heater in Your Garage?
A garage heater, just like your HVAC system, uses warm air to heat the space. It makes that area of your home useful during the cold winter months. There are various reasons why you would want to take advantage of a garage heater, including
Comfort
A garage heater provides comfort if you spend a lot of time in that part of your home. It is especially useful during the winter months since it allows you to work on chores without freezing. This also means you won’t have to wear gear like gloves while working whatever you got going on in your garage.
Protection
Installing a garage heater protects your tools and other equipment from damage caused by excessive cold temperatures. It can also protect other valuables such as paint, leather furniture, books, and clothing. If you’re worried about corrosion, this machine can keep moisture and condensation from forming.
And best of all, a garage heater helps protect your car. Keeping your vehicles in a heated garage keeps the oil warm and fluid, which protects the engine better.
Energy Efficiency
The thing is, traditional heating methods aren’t ideal for garages. In the garage, no matter the climate, there must be a balanced airflow to avoid problems related to pressure. If you extend your home’s ductwork into the garage, you may run into major temperature and humidity problems.
Installing a heating system designed for your garage can help tackle such issues. It can turn that space into a cozy workstation without burning energy or incurring higher utility bills. But, of course, it will still depend on the type of heater you have and the size of your garage.
Types of Heaters
Garage heaters come in different types, each with its own set of features and benefits. Common types include:
Electric Garage Heaters
These electric garage heaters are a popular solution for small to medium-sized garages. They are quite simple to install and use, requiring no fuel storage and venting systems. They are also quiet and produce no fumes or odors, which makes them a great alternative for confined spaces.
Electric heaters work by passing electricity via a metal conductor or a ceramic element. It’s where it gets converted into heat and dispersed into the space’s atmosphere. However, they can be expensive to run.
Propane Garage Heaters
Here’s a less expensive option than an electric heater. Not only that, but propane gas heaters are simple to install, incredibly efficient, and extremely safe to use.
How propane heaters work is they convert the liquid fuel contained in the tank into a gas. It then transfers heat through a heat exchanger. Once this element hits a certain temperature, a blower will distribute the heat across the heat exchanger before it is dispersed through the duct system.
One of the advantages of propane heaters is that they produce fewer emissions than electric and fuel gas heaters. The catch is that it requires a place to store the propane tank.
Natural Gas Heaters
These garage heaters are connected to your home’s gas pipeline. They are often more efficient than electric heaters and are best suited for larger garages and spaces with a ceiling height greater than 8 ft. Natural gas garage heaters are also ideal for colder climates.
A natural gas heater works by burning the fuel in a combustion chamber. Then, it sends hot exhaust gasses through a heat exchanger and warms the surrounding air using a fan.
When it comes to efficiency, natural gas heaters are unmatched compared to electric ones. Natural gas is economical and is a relatively clean fuel source. The downside is that they can be expensive to install since it needs to be done by a professional.
What Is the Best Size for a Garage Heater?
The ideal size of a heater for a garage depends on several factors (more on this later). In general, you’ll want something that’s powerful enough to heat your garage efficiently. But also, you want it to be the right size, one that’s not too large that it consumes a lot of power and takes up ample space in your garage.
If you go for electric heaters, the easiest way to determine the right size for your garage is by finding the right watts based on the size of the space. For gas-fueled models, you can find the right size heater based on their BTUs. Take a look at our examples below:
| Garage Size | Watts (Electric Models) | BTUs (Gas Models) |
| 250 sq ft | 2,500 watts | 8,525 BTUs |
| 500 sq ft | 5,000 watts | 17,050 BTUs |
| 750 sq ft | 7,500 watts | 25,575 BTUs |
| 1,000 sq ft | 10,000 watts | 34,100 BTUs |
| 1,500 sq ft | 15,000 watts | 51,150 BTUs |
These are just rough estimations. When calculating the right size of heater for your garage, a good rule of thumb to follow is the 10 watts per sq ft of floor space. The formula is as follows: 10 x floor space (sq ft) = watts.
You can also estimate the required BTUs for your heater by multiplying 3.41 by the heater’s wattage. The formula is as follows: 3.41 x watts = BTUs.
Things To Consider in Choosing the Right Size Heater for Garage
When determining the right size heater for your garage, consider the following:
Wattage
A heater’s wattage tells you how much power it can produce, which influences how much heat it can provide. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need 10 watts of heating power per sq ft of floor area. So, if your garage is 500 sq ft, you’ll need a heater with at least 5,000 watts.
BTUs
Stands for British thermal units, the BTUs of your heater tell you the amount of heat it can produce per hour. This is an important consideration when it comes to finding the right size of heater for your garage to ensure efficient heating and prevent hazards.
How To Calculate BTU of a Garage Heater
You can simply multiply the wattage of a heater by 3.41 to get the ideal BTUs your space needs. However, there is an accurate way to do this. To calculate BTUs, you must first determine your desired temperature rise. Then, you’ll want to measure your space by cubic feet.
So, if your garage is 22 ft by 25 ft with an 8 ft high ceiling, multiply it by 0.133. Then, whatever product you may have, multiply that again by your desired temperature rise.
For example,
22 x 25 x 8 = 4,400 cu ft
Then,
4,400 x 0.133 x 30 = 17,556 BTUs
Note: How efficiently a garage heater works will still depend on other factors such as garage size, insulation, and your climate, which we’ll go over shortly.
Garage Size
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the size of your garage will directly impact how well a heater works. Obviously larger spaces need larger units. Using a small heater in a spacious garage means that the unit will need to work hard to heat up the space, which isn’t really efficient.
But if you have a small garage, you may get away with a unit with lower wattage or BTU. You don’t want to install a large unit that you’ll end up wasting energy.
Your Climate
Before investing in a new heater for your garage consider the climate in your location. If you live in a region where there are harsh winters, go for a more powerful unit for adequate warmth. But if it gets warmer than colder most of the time, a smaller heater should do.
It’s always a good idea to keep the lowest forecasted temperature in your location in mind. Installing a smaller heater may struggle to keep a comfortable temperature even on the coldest days. But still, it depends on other factors we’ve mentioned here.
Indoor Temperature
Consider the average temperature in your garage as well as the temperature rise. Make sure to determine what temperature you’re most comfortable with.
Do you only need the temperature to be just above freezing point? Then choose a small, low-wattage heater. But, if your garage gets extremely cold during the winter, after taking into account all other factors, invest in a larger unit.
Insulation
Finally, the insulation in your garage can affect a heater’s efficiency. So, make sure that the space is well-insulated. This way, you won’t need to install a larger and more expensive unit. Check for any air leaks and seal them. This also helps cut energy costs in the long run.
Tip: If your garage has high ceilings, consider installing a ceiling fan for better air circulation.
FAQs
Is 1500 Watts Enough To Heat a Garage?
It depends on the size of your garage. Each 100-watt power can heat 1 sq ft of area. So, a 1,500-watt electric garage heater should effectively heat a 150-square-foot. It works even more efficiently if the garage is well-insulated.
Is 5000 BTU Enough To Heat a Garage?
Yes, but only if you have a tight space. In general, 5,000 BTU won’t be enough to heat a standard-size garage. A good starting point should be between 20,000 to 45,000 BTUs, depending on the garage size, insulation system, and climate.
Conclusion
Now that you know where to start finding the right size garage heater, we’re excited for you to enjoy a warm and pleasant space all winter long!
If you have any questions about all things garage heaters, feel free to reach out. Good luck!
